News Updates for the Week of March 5

1.      Turning the Tables: U.S. Manufacturers Find Plenty of Help Selling Abroad - “Made in the USA” doesn’t necessarily have to mean “Sold in the USA.” Many U.S. manufacturers are finding a ready market for their products overseas, where certain big-name brands carry a cache because they’re American-made. But this welcome mat also extends to small- and medium-sized manufacturers in a number of home improvement and building product industries. The International Trade Administration (ITA) http://trade.gov/ a division of the Commerce Department, has representatives around the world looking for--and vetting--trading partners for U.S. companies. The ITA does market intelligence reports for certain products, estimating the size of the competition. It will also conduct due diligence on possible trade partners, and advise on custom issues, shipping needs, and required export licensing and documents. 2/28 HCN

2.      New “LED Fixture Locator” Portal Provides Ability to Search, Compare, and Select LED Fixtures - Lighting Internet Technology Enterprises, LLC (LITE) launches the “LED Fixture Locator.”  Located at www.LEDFixtureLocator.com, the new LED Fixture Locator complements the existing LED Lamp Locator www.ledlamplocator.com by providing lighting professionals with access to updated information on thousands of LED fixture products from hundreds of leading LED fixture manufacturers worldwide.  

3.      ZigBee LED Lighting Control Standardized - The ZigBee Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for use in energy management, commercial and consumer applications, is developing a new open standard designed for LED lighting control–ZigBee Light Link. This forthcoming standard will help manufacturers develop a variety of lighting and control products, giving resellers and consumers a wide selection of interoperable, wirelessly controlled lighting products for the home. The Alliance seeks a standard that will be as easy to use as a common dimmer switch.  www.ZigBee.org/LightLink

4.      Read The Label: Inform Consumers about New Lamp Labeling - Common household lamps now carry uniform labeling to facilitate educated decisions focusing on light output and energy costs, not watts, helping consumers transition to more efficient lamp types. As common household incandescent lamps start to be phased out starting this month (Jan. 1, 2012) (100 watts), 2013 (75W) and 2014 (40–60W), consumers need to make informed choices about what substitutions are right for their sockets.  The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, resulting in new requirements under the Appliance Labeling Rule (16 CFR Part 305). The result is the Lighting Facts label, similar to the Nutrition Facts labels found on many food items. www.ftc.gov/os/2010/06/100618lightbulbs.pdf http://www.ecmag.com/index.cfm?fa=article&articleID=13394

5.      The U.S. Energy Service Company (ESCO) Pike Research Report Market - The energy service company (ESCO) market for energy efficiency project installations and services exceeded $5.1 billion in 2011, according to a new report by Pike Research. This market is expected to continue to grow faster than the domestic economy and reach $16 billion in sales by 2020. This report describes the continuing evolution of the ESCO market, detailing drivers and barriers to deeper penetration of energy efficiency in the U.S. economy. Key industry players are profiled in depth and market forecasts extend through 2020.  http://www.pikeresearch.com/research/the-u-s-energy-service-company-market

6.      NEMA Publishes ANSI ANSLG C78.21 Incandescent Lamps and ANSI ANSLG C78.40 Electric Lamps - Providing physical and electrical characteristics of incandescent lamps, ANSI/ANSLG C78.21-2011 describes PAR and R bulb shapes. The standard covers lamps with clear, frosted and lens end bulbs, clear and prescription lenses, and with various reflector coatings. ANSI ANSLG C78.40-2011 sets forth the physical and electrical requirements for single-ended metal halide lamps operated on 60 Hz ballasts to ensure interchangeability and safety. The data given also provides the basis for the electrical requirements for ballasts as well as the lamp-related requirements for luminaires. Download at: www.nema.org/stds/c78-21.cfm and www.nema.org/stds/c78-40.cfm

7.      35 Years at the Alliance to Save Energy - For 35 years, the Alliance has led the movement to do more while using less energy. In honor of their 35th anniversary, check out the biggest headlines from the Alliance’s history online for each year since 1977 below to advance energy efficiency in the United States and around the world. http://ase.org/index.php?q=35-timeline

8.      ICF International Wins $11.5 Million Energy Efficiency Contract - ICF International has been awarded a contract extension to continue supporting the energy efficiency portfolio for Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The contract has a value of $11.5 million and a term of 36 months. ICF will continue to promote increased energy efficiency in the commercial, industrial, and residential consumer markets. Efforts will include programs for lighting and appliances, heating and cooling, new construction, and home energy audits and home performance, as well as commercial programs that help SMECO's larger and small business customers to use energy more efficiently in their facilities. 2/28 Sun Herald

9.      Tax Credits for "Green Buildings" in Michigan - The push for energy efficient building practices in Michigan is under way with the introduction of legislation House Bill 4286. This bill seeks to amend the Michigan Business Tax Act (2007 PA 36) by providing tax credits for "green" housing practices. In this bill "green" in reference to building practices means that there is an emphasis on site conservation with sustainable planning. Tax credits are awarded based on the acquisition of a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council www.Legislature.mi.gov

10.  Energy Efficiency Financing Available for Racine, WI Businesses - Local businesses will now be able to get help implementing energy-efficient projects thanks to Racine Energy Efficiency (Re²) a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings grant. Under the Re² Smart Security Financing program, collateral is provided by businesses implementing energy-efficiency projects, allowing for no-money-down financing and mitigating a financial institution's risk. Racine businesses undertaking energy-efficiency projects between $10,000 and $1 million are eligible to participate. Any energy-savings projects such as new lighting, HVAC, refrigeration equipment, etc., must meet an estimated 15 percent in energy savings to be eligible for the financing program. 2/29 Journal Times

11.  LG Electronics Named 2012 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - LG Electronics has been named 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. EPA. The EPA is honoring LG, a global technology leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and helping to educate consumers about those products. 2/29 The Sacramento Bee

12.  Energy-Intensive Midwest Manufacturing Needs Efficiency Shot, Report Finds - Midwest states tend to be heavy on manufacturing but light on energy efficiency programs, according to the World Resource Institute's "Midwest Manufacturing Snapshot: Energy Use and Efficiency." In the Midwest, which accounts for 22 percent of the U.S. population but 30 percent of the country's manufacturing value-added activity, the report found that there is significant room for energy improvements. http://www.wri.org/publication/midwest-manufacturing-snapshot

13.  CLTC's Siminovitch Named First Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency at UC Davis - Professor Michael Siminovitch has been appointed the first Arthur H. Rosenfeld Chair in Energy Efficiency at the University of California, Davis. Siminovitch was selected for his innovative work in the field of energy-efficient lighting. The Rosenfeld Chair recognizes Siminovitch’s contributions as a teacher  and a mentor at UC Davis, and as director of the university’s California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC). A nonprofit, CLTC develops energy-efficient lighting technologies and works to get them into widespread use. From solid-state lighting (SSL) solutions and “smart” controls to the CALCTP green jobs training program and case study demonstrations, the Center works with a broad range of organizations (including lighting manufacturers, utilities, energy regulators, and other university research labs) on a variety of projects.