News Updates for the Week of July 1

1.      Energy Department Launches New Database on Residential and Commercial Building Energy Performance - The Energy Department launched a new Buildings Performance Database, the largest free, publicly available database of residential and commercial building energy performance information. Currently, commercial and residential buildings account for approximately 70% of the electricity consumption in the nation. The database strengthens the Department's commitment to provide U.S. industry, state and local governments, and researchers with innovative energy data tools that can help cut energy waste and save money. This database will allow users to access energy performance data and perform statistical analyses on more than 60,000 commercial and residential buildings across the country.

2.      Advanced Lighting Control Options That Can Be Used to Achieve Energy + Atmosphere Points for LEED V.4. by Craig DiLouie - Version 4 of the popular Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system is expected to be released at Greenbuild in November 2013.  Final balloting to approve the new LEED version is expected to occur in June, so we don’t know exactly what will be contained in the new rating system. One thing is almost certain, which is that the prerequisite for the Energy + Atmosphere section will change from the 2007 to the 2010 version of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard, which is the national energy reference standard. This standard is expected to be tough to beat in terms of both lighting power densities and controls. http://www.lightnowblog.com/2013/06/lighting-controls-association-publishes-whitepaper-on-advanced-lighting-control-options-for-leed-v-4/

3.      A Number of Key SSL Standards and Test Methods are Still in Development - One of these is IES TM-28, "Prediction of Lumen Maintenance of LED Lamps and Luminaires," which is comparable to TM-21 but at a fixture level and is intended to lighten the testing burden on manufacturers by enabling them to use LM-80 data from the LEDs to help predict the lumen maintenance of complete lamps and luminaires. Another is ANSLG/ANSI C82.XX1, "LED Drivers Reliability," which helps address the reliability of the key driver element in a lamp or luminaire. Still another is a revision of UL 1598C, "Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Retrofit Luminaire Conversion Kits," a product safety standard that addresses LED linear replacement lamps. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/

4.      $3 Million in Solar Rebates Still Available This Year in Pennsylvania - Under the agency's Sunshine Solar Program, homeowners and small business owners are eligible for rebates of up to $7,500 and $52,500 for solar electric projects, respectively, until the program ends on Dec. 31 or when funds run out. Solar hot water projects can be reimbursed for up to $5,000 and $50,000, respectively. 6/26 HCN

5.      MaineDOT Installs High-Mast LEDs - The Maine Department of Transportation selected Acuity Brands' Holophane HMAO luminaires to improve the lighting for driver safety and to reduce energy costs at light towers along Interstate 295. High-mast lighting has largely remained the domain of HID sources because of the high levels of light required. The HMAO fixtures take a modular approach to the challenge of delivering the high light levels. http://ledsmagazine.com/news/10/6/17

6.      Construction Projects Getting 'Green' Light - Big city projects aren't the only ones going green--energy efficiency also is going mainstream in commercial construction throughout the state as tenants demand it and developers reap the benefits. With many communities adopting the state's so-called Stretch Energy Code, most new construction must demonstrate entry-level LEED certified energy efficiency before projects can be permitted. Every community doesn't have a green energy code such as Boston's that requires LEED certification for city projects, but the stretch code is moving all construction in a green direction. 6/21 Boston Herald

7.      Eden Prairie Joins Growing List of Minnesota Cities Switching to LED Streetlights - Eden Prairie is the latest city to illuminate its streets with brighter, whiter LED lights, joining a growing trend of metro cities turning to LED to save money and conserve energy as the technology improves. Last year, Robbinsdale retrofitted about 40 downtown streetlights with LED. Plymouth has replaced park building lights and parking lots with LED lights. And Xcel Energy, which is hired by many Minnesota cities to handle street lighting, has installed more than 500 LED streetlights in West St. Paul as a two-year test. 6/26 Star Tribune

8.      Bel Air Lighting Recalls Chandeliers - Bel Air Lighting, of Valencia, Calif., has issued a recall of its Portfolio and Transglobe nine-light chandeliers due to several reports of falling fixtures. The mounting loop that secures the chandelier to the ceiling is prone to breakage and poses a personal injury risk. The chandeliers were sold at Lowe's under the Portfolio brand (item No. 256047) and as Transglobe at lighting stores across the nation (Transglobe item No. 2579 EBG). The recall affects approximately 20,500 units sold. 6/26 HCN

9.      LG Strengthens Its Energy Star Muscle - LG Electronics USA has augmented its commitment to the Energy Star certification program. More than 60 of its products have already earned the 2013 Energy Star Most Efficient designation this year, which is more than the company earned throughout the entirety of 2012. The company earned the most points for its televisions, 51 of which earned the Most Efficient label this year. Its next strongest category was refrigerators, seven of which have been recognized so far. 6/27 HCN

10.  Legrand Adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting - The Legrand® adorne™ Under-Cabinet Lighting System is a fully customizable, modular solution for eliminating kitchen clutter. Because it's modular, it's compatible with any kitchen layout and can be hard-wired or plugged into any home wiring configuration. While the adorne Under-Cabinet Lighting System was designed for kitchens in mind, it can also be used in offices, hospitality and healthcare applications. See video: http://www.brazill.com/product/adorne-under-cabinet-lighting/

11.  Congratulations to Bill Warren Recognized by IESNY with "Brilliance Award" - Last Thursday night at the IESNY Section's "Lumen Award" dinner, attended by over 600 IES members and guests, Willard Warren, who has been writing the "Energy Advisor" column for LD&A magazine for the last 16 years, was presented with the 2013 Brilliance Award by the NY Section. The IESNYC proudly recognizes annually members who make the New York City Section shine! Congratulations my friend.