August 2023

  Colorado recently became the seventh state to ban nearly all fluorescent lamps. The other six states are: California, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The above chart shows the effective dates for each state’s phaseout of screw-based CFLs, as well as pin-based CFLs & linear fluorescent tubes. All of the fluorescent lamp bans [...]

  In mid-July, Mexico passed China to become the U.S.’s largest trading partner. Experts say Mexico’s gains are due to the U.S. strategy of gradual economic decoupling from China. This trend has is also named “Friendshoring,” where trade moves from China to countries like Mexico, India, Vietnam, and other trade partners with less contentious relationships [...]

  Verozza’s MODULINE Low Voltage Track System excels at combining minimalist appearance with lots of value-added features. MODULINE is a 48V magnetic low-voltage track system that easily integrates general and accent lighting fixtures into a small, modular design. Fixtures attach magnetically into the 1” track for easy installation and design flexibility. The track can be [...]

I recently had the opportunity to interview Eric Gibson, Director, Product Market – Commercial Outdoor, Acuity Brands, for an article I developed for the November 2023 issue of tED Magazine, the official NAED publication. The topic: what’s new in outdoor lighting. DiLouie: According to the Department of Energy in its last SSL forecast in 2019, [...]

  The lighting industry provides an essential element of life in our built environments, and though the industry evolves, one aspect remains constant, lighting industry philanthropy. The commitment of companies and individuals in our sector significantly impacts local communities, the nation, and the world. The LightNOW Fall Philanthropy Series will spotlight stories of impact, giving, [...]

Despite many predictions of a recession this Summer, the U.S. economy continues to chug along strongly, including consumer spending on luxury items, which typically see reduced demand in a faltering economy. Plastic surgery, motorcycle sales, cruise sales, and expensive concert ticket sales are four examples that are all booming this Summer. Consumer spending is especially [...]

  The IES has released six new standards during the past IES fiscal year. At a high level, three address ultraviolet (UV) sources, one addresses light pollution / sky glow, one is about controls, and one is about daylighting. Here are the six:   ANSI/IES RP-27.1-22 Recommended Practice: Risk Group Classification and Minimization of Photobiological Hazards [...]

  I’ve previously written about China’s gallium export ban not impacting current global gallium supplies here. I’ve also written about the recent 2023 DOE Critical Materials Assessment, here. A deeper look at the Critical Materials Assessment shows the LED industry might be in for a rough ride. The majority of white light LEDs are made [...]

I recently had the opportunity to interview Andrew Antares, Project Manager of Technical Development, DesignLights Consortium (DLC), for an article I developed for the November 2023 issue of Electrical Contractor Magazine, the official NECA publication. The topic: new sample language that municipalities can use to address “light pollution” as a potential byproduct of outdoor lighting.