News Updates for the Week of May 9

1. Controlling LEDs by Lutron’s Amanda Beebe and Ethan Biery - Ten years ago, many people didn’t even know what an LED was. Today, they’re the new hot item on the shelves – and everyone wants to use them. Often, designers do not know how to control LEDs or they have had negative experiences working with them. This white paper will provide a brief overview of what an LED is and how to use LEDs for general illumination applications and the advantages and limitations of doing so. It will also go into detail about why you should consider dimming LEDs and what questions need to be answered in order to dim LEDs properly to meet your expectations. The overall goal of this paper is to make you more comfortable with using LEDs on your projects. http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/367-2035_LED_white_paper.pdf

2. Siemens Moots Floating Up To 75 Percent of Osram - Siemens executives have told analysts the German industrial conglomerate plans to float between 50 percent and 75 percent of the world's second largest lighting maker after Philips. Siemens has said it is looking to complete an IPO of Osram, which analysts estimate to be worth as much as 7 billion euros ($10.3 billion), in the European autumn of 2011 and remain a major long-term shareholder thereafter. 5/4 Reuters

3. Unemployment Rises Back Up To 9.0% - The unemployment rate in April edged up to 9.0%, compared with 8.8% in March 2011.Construction employment was about unchanged in April, according to Friday's report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry has shown little net movement since early 2010, after having fallen sharply during the prior three years. Overall, the economy added 244,000 jobs in April, a higher gain than anticipated by analysts. The latest employment situation shows 13.7 million unemployed persons in the United States. 5/5 HCN

4. Boston College & NSTAR Launch Aggressive Energy Efficiency Agreement - NSTAR is working with BC to target energy efficiency opportunities including improving existing operational control systems, laboratory process improvements, lighting upgrades and occupancy sensors, and numerous mechanical system upgrades. Along with the substantial energy reduction and environmental benefits that come with these upgrades, NSTAR estimates BC will save about $1 million a year on utility costs after the three-year initiative is complete. http://www.nstar.com/

5. NV Energy Customers May Get Zapped for Conserving - NV Energy said programs it funds, such as subsidizing energy-efficient light bulbs and helping customers replace old air conditioners and refrigerators, will result in a loss of $35 million in energy sales this year in Clark County. A rate increase of almost 5 percent will reimburse the utility for its loss. 5/4 Las Vegas Sun

6. La Grange to Replace Street Lights with Energy Efficient Ones - A brighter community at a cheaper cost will soon become a reality in La Grange, NC with the replacement of 345 aging street lights with environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient ones. The town council unanimously voted this week to upgrade its street lights, powered by mercury vapor bulbs, to 175-, 250- and 400-watt fixtures illuminated by LED bulbs. As ordered, the town will contract with Stuart C. Irby of Rocky Mount to buy 132 lights -- equivalent to 175 watts in power -- at $320 each for $42,240. It will buy 71 street lights equivalent to 250 watts from WESCO of Raleigh at $481.45 apiece for $34,182.95. The remaining 142 lights, equivalent to 400 watts in power, will be purchased from H.D. Supply of Wake Forest at $651 each for $92,442. The grand total is $168,864. They received a $155,475 grant from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. 5/4 The Free Press

7. IES Will Offer a 10% Discount on the Lighting Handbook - Also Available at the IES Booth #1813 During LIGHTFAIR.