The Senate Finance Committee recently voted to approve a two-year extension of the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, also known as Section 179D, as part of the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act. The provision allows a taxpayer to take a deduction equal to commercial building energy-efficiency expenditures made by the taxpayer [...]
Legislation + Regulation
Lighting Controls Association Publishes Article on New Metal Halide Luminaire Regulations
I recently wrote an article for the Lighting Controls Association covering new energy efficiency standards for metal halide luminaires announced by the U.S. Department of Energy. The new rules, which take effect in three years, will be disruptive to the metal halide luminaire market. Read it here.
Department of Energy Grants Petition to Exclude 100W R20 Short Incandescent Reflector Lamps from Energy Conservation Standards
The Department of Energy has issued a final rule regarding the request for exclusion of 100W R20 short incandescent reflector lamps from energy conservation standards. These lamps are popular in pool and spa applications. Click here to learn more about the rulemaking.
Legislation + Regulation, Lighting Design
Is It Time to License the Lighting Design Profession?
In the August 2013 issue of LD+A, Jody Good makes the case that growing complexity in the lighting industry is creating a compelling imperative for licensing lighting designers. Check it out here. What do you think?
New Metal Halide Luminaire Energy Conservation Standards in the Works
The Department of Energy (DOE) recently published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking regarding energy conservation standards for metal halide luminaires. 78 FR 51463 (August 20, 2013). The deadline for public comments is October 21, 2013. You can submit comments here.
Industry-drafted Model Outdoor Lighting Legislation Introduced in Massachusetts
Sen. Cynthia Creem of the Massachusetts State Senate has introduced SD 844, which was spearheaded by an industry coalition led by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) to reduce nighttime skyglow and light trespass in Massachusetts while ensuring that customer choice and proper [...]
Consumers Still Buying 100W Incandescent Lamps Under Regulatory Loophole
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 regulated 40-100W incandescent general-service lamps, requiring the lamp to either operate at a higher efficacy or cease being able to be manufactured or imported. In 2012, 100W lamps became affected; in 2013, 75W lamps are now under regulation. For those wishing to retain incandescent lamps, there are [...]
Bipartisan Legislation to Revamp Tax Deduction for Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Commercial Buildings
A bill introduced into the Senate, the Commercial Buildings Modernization Act (S.3591), seeks to extend the Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction (179D) created by the Energy Policy Act to the end of 2016, make it easier for taxpayers to claim the deductions, and offer higher maximum deduction levels, as the current tax deduction is set to [...]
Education + Resources, Legislation + Regulation
Sylvania Publishes Online Substitution Tool
OSRAM SYLVANIA offers an interesting online tool identifying regulatory impacts on various light source technologies, with suggested substitutions for products being eliminated. Check it out here.
Department of Energy Approves Exemption for Halco 700 Series T8 Lamps
The Department of Energy Office of Hearings and Appeals has granted Halco Lighting Technologies a two-year exemption relief for certain T8 fluorescent lamps from the efficiency regulations that went into effect on July 14, 2012, according to the company. This decision permits Halco to continue to manufacture its 700 Series T8 general service fluorescent lamps [...]
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