News Updates for the Week of October 3

1.      Webcast: CBEA High-Efficiency Troffer Specification - On October 25, 2011 at 1:00 ET, the U.S. DOE will host a 90-minute live webcast on the high-efficiency troffer specification developed by a cross-cutting project team from DOE's Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEA). Fifty percent of all commercial fluorescent lighting are recessed fixtures (troffers) in 2x4, 2x2 and 1x4 configurations which are in operation for more than 10 hours a day on average and collectively consume more than 63 terawatt-hours of electricity annually. In this webcast, Jeff McCullough and Michael Myer of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will review the energy-saving benefits of high-efficiency troffers, highlight their design and implementation considerations, and identify different troffer types. For more information, visit the Registration page.

2.      Fluorescent Lamp Prices Hit Stratosphere - While stock markets were plunging and commodity prices were taking stunning drops, key lighting industry manufacturers were busy pushing up prices for fluorescent lamps. Blame for the price hikes went to China and its rare earth policies. The increases go into effect in November.

3.      Rare-Earths Prices Appear to Soften - Prices for the vital industrial minerals known as rare earths appear to have moderated in recent weeks following two years of relentless gains, as the supply outlook brightens and dominant producer China faces possible legal challenges to export restrictions. 9/22 Wall Street Journal

4.      IES Publishes TM21-11, Useful Lifetime of LEDs - The Illuminating Engineering Society(IES) announces a new document, Projecting Long Term Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Sources (TM-21-11). The document recommends a method for projecting the lumen maintenance of LED light sources from the data obtained by the procedures found in IES document Approved Method for Measuring Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Sources (LM-80-08). Available at www.ies.org/store

5.      DOE Offers up to $10 Million to Improve Energy-Saving Lighting - DOE announced on Sept. 26 the availability of up to $10 million in funding for energy-saving lighting technologies. DOE will invest in projects to accelerate manufacturing research and development related to solid-state lighting (SSL) technologies. The focus will be on applications that use semiconductors to provide light in such devices as LEDs and OLEDs. The goal is to strengthen the United States' position as a global manufacturing leader and help create jobs. Between two and four projects will be selected to receive up to $10 million. Projects should address the technical challenges that must be overcome before prices fall to a level where SSL will become competitive with existing lighting on a first-cost basis. Potential applicants should note that applications are due by December 15, 2011. For more information, visit the DOE website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/

6.      "Revolutionary 'LED Lamp Locator' Tool Offers New Industry Portal for LED Lamp Market" - Lighting Internet Technology Enterprises, LLC (LITE) announced the company's introduction of a new web-based tool, the "LED Lamp Locator," that will enhance the ease with which professional lighting users can search, evaluate, compare, and specify the market's broad range of LED replacement lamps. Providing lighting users with a comprehensive database of current LED lamp products offered by the market's range of global manufacturers at www.LEDLampLocator.com

7.      A Green Guide for Public Housing - Siemens Industry, in collaboration with the Green Seal organization, has published a guide for public housing owners and operators to help them reduce the use of energy, water and toxic chemicals. The manual covers a broad range of facility maintenance and management best practices, including HVAC systems, plumbing fixtures, lighting, landscaping and recycling. Called "Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities," the publication is now available free online http://www.greeningpublichousing.com/

8.      Cree Launches Industry-Leading TEMPO Evaluation Services - Cree, Inc. announces the commercial availability of TEMPO™ Services, a comprehensive set of quantitative and qualitative tests and analyses for LED-based lighting fixtures and lamps. TEMPO (Thermal, Electrical, Mechanical, Photometric and Optical) Services represent the accumulated advantage of Cree's extensive experience with customer LED systems combined with the use of calibrated test equipment to give LED lighting manufacturers and end users confidence in LED product designs. www.creeledrevolution.com

9.      LG to Invest $6.7B in Solar, EV batteries, LEDs and Water Treatment - The company said Sunday that it plans to invest more than $6.7 billion in green businesses by 2015. The investment is expected to yield about $8.4 billion in revenues and create 10,000 new jobs by the end of 2015, according to reports. It's all a part of a strategy the company calls "Green New Business."  LG says it will invest almost $1.7 billion in electric car batteries by 2013; $846 million in solar, LED lighting, and water treatment sectors; and almost $415 million in the silicon business by the end of 2014. Another $338 million will go into solar cell production by 2015. 9/26 www.greenbiz.com

10.  LG Electronics Opens First U.S. Home Appliance R&D Center for Innovative Appliance Testing - LG Electronics USA www.lg.com officially opened its first Home Appliance Research & Development Center in the United States. Located in Buffalo Grove, Ill., the $6.5 million R&D Center will provide low-volume, high-precision product testing and consumer research using state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies. The LG R&D Center tests products against industry guidelines set by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), UL Environment (ULE), the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and U.S. DOE. 9/28 PRNewswire

11.  Lawmakers Push Bill to Allow Incandescent Light Bulb Manufacturing, Sales in Michigan - There may not be any companies in Michigan building incandescent light bulbs, but the state legislature wants to make sure that a company can if they want to. State Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, introduced a bill that would allow a Michigan company to make the older bulbs and sell them only in Michigan. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration. Detroit Free Press

12.  Best Buy Sees a Future in Home Energy - Best Buy Co. Inc. plans to start selling home energy management products and services next month in what could be a significant new market for the Richfield-based consumer electronics giant. Stores in three test markets -- Chicago, Houston and San Francisco -- will roll out smart thermostats and outlets, energy usage monitors, and possibly a home security/alarm system. Though Best Buy declined to disclose specifics, the retailer suggested it will devote prominent and sizable space to its new "Home Energy" section. The Geek Squad already performs home energy audits and is a natural fit to market and install energy management products and services. 9/29  www.startribune.com

13.   Energy Efficient Lighting Explained - "Energy Efficient Lighting Explained: A Guide for Business People Who Aren't Lighting Techies," is now available from RealEnergyWriters.com and The Daily Energy Report. The guide helps businesses learn how to best use the new efficient lighting technologies, which are the most cost-effective investments in energy efficiency available today. Order ($189) at: http://www.realenergywriters.com/products/  9/29 PRNewswire