News Updates for the Week of June 27

1. Draft ENERGY STAR Guidance Regarding Lumen Maintenance Performance Data - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is developing guidance regarding the content and treatment of lumen maintenance performance data for LED packages, LED arrays and LED modules intended for use in ENERGY STAR qualified solid state lamps and luminaires. Attached is a draft of this guidance, developed in consultation with LED package and array manufacturers to ensure it is informed by the latest technological developments in solid state lighting subcomponents.

2. GE Lighting Embarks on a 47 City Energy Efficiency Tour of North America - For all dates, schedules and locations, visit: http://gelightingrevolutiontour.com/schedule/

3. States' Efforts Lead the Way on Energy Efficiency - With Congress largely stalled on the issue, U.S. states are taking the lead on energy efficiency. New research shows 26 have set rules requiring utilities to save a certain amount of power each year, and the results are lower bills for consumers and a reduced need to build power plants. Last year alone, utilities in those states saved energy equaling up to 2% of annual sales by making their own efficiency changes as well as encouraging them by customers, both residential and commercial, according to a progress report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a Washington-based research group. 6/21 USA TODAY

4. Existing-Home Sales Decline 3.8% in May - Existing-home sales fell 3.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.81 million in May, compared with a downwardly revised 5 million in April, according to statistics released today by the National Association of Realtors. Compared with the 5.68 million pace of May 2010, which benefited from a surge of sales to beat a deadline for the home buyer tax credit, the current reading is down 15.3%. 6/21 HCN

5. Philips Needs A Shake-Up - Although Dutch conglomerate Philips has bounced off the late 2008/early 2009 bottom in the stock, it has been many years since Philips was really a credible candidate for a long-term investor. Once an unquestioned leader in lighting and a strong competitor in consumer electronics, Philips has fallen victim to the bloat and malaise that seems to affect almost every conglomerate sooner or later. Lighting, for instance, has turned into a tough business as the transition to LED has not quite worked out as expected for Philips, Siemens, GE or Cree. While Philips continues to spend large sums of money in R&D, its large conglomerate rivals seem to be more focused on stripping costs out of existing technology. Read more: http://stocks.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/2011/Philips-Needs-A-Shake-Up-PHG-SI-GE-VAR-CREE-SNE-HOLX0623.aspx?partner=YahooSA#axzz1QImGuBLm

6. Department of Energy Announces $120 Million to Support Development of Innovative Manufacturing Processes - The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership is a national effort bringing together industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness. This clean energy investment in new energy-efficient manufacturing processes and novel materials will help U.S. manufacturers save money by reducing the energy needed to power their facilities. 6/24 http://www.energy.gov/news/10397.htm Applications are due by August 25, 2011. More information and application requirements can be found at the https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/

7. Industrial Buildings Across U.S. To Go Solar - The DOE has issued a $1.4 billion conditional loan guarantee to fund a massive project that would install solar panels on unused industrial roof space across the U.S. The project's aim is ambitious, with a goal of installing 733 megawatts' worth of photovoltaic solar panels across 28 states within the next four years. Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20073713-54/industrial-buildings-across-u.s-to-go-solar/#ixzz1QIqWt2oN

8. The 2011 Green Building Opportunity Index - The annual Green Building Opportunity Index remains the first office market assessment tool to provide weighted comparisons of the top U.S. office markets on the basis of both real estate fundamentals and green development considerations. The Index focuses on the primary factors that influence successful development, retrofitting, leasing and sales of investment grade green office buildings in the largest U.S. Central Business Districts.

The Index's top 10 markets overall by Cushman & Wakefield and NEEA's BetterBricks:

1) San Francisco

2) Midtown, NY

3) Washington, D.C.

4) Midtown South, NY

5) Los Angeles

6) Boston

7) Downtown, NY

8) Portland

9) Seattle

10) Oakland

http://www.betterbricks.com/sites/default/files/Office/2011greenbuildingindex-nationaloverview-final.pdf

9. Rexel Launches www.electrical-efficiency.com - The aim of this website is to assemble a selection of information from reliable yet varied sources on the subject of electrical efficiency.