Legislation + Regulation

I’m pleased to announce that I have finally completed the long awaited (by my publisher) update to The Lighting Management Handbook, which came out in 1994, with this 300-page book about redesigning existing lighting systems: Lighting Redesign for Existing Buildings. Because light is used to see but cannot be seen, it is often overlooked by [...]

GE’s incandescent halogen lamps hit the shelves nationwide today—clear and Reveal® clear versions (MSRP $5-$7)—in two-packs in 29W, 43W, 53W and 72W varieties that dim and turn on instantly like their 40W, 60W, 75W and 100W incandescent bulb counterparts that are phasing out of production between 2012 and 2014 as a result of the Energy [...]

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published a brochure that clarifies the upcoming phase-out of incandescent light bulbs. Beginning in 2012, and a year earlier in California, traditional 100-watt, 75-watt, 60-watt, and 40-watt bulbs will be phased out, with a completion date of 2014. Based on the average number of sockets per household, NEMA [...]

From the November issue of IALD Reflections, revealing a victory for the lighting design community, and illustrating the effectiveness of the industry banding together to lobby government based on common interests: The IALD is very pleased that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has officially committed not to seek payment of sales [...]

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and the Environment Katherine Hammack issued a new policy memorandum to improve high performance green buildings standards for the Army. “Energy security, sustainability and efficiency are national security imperatives,” said Hammack. “This policy supports the Army’s global missions in a cost-effective, safe and sustainable manner that will [...]

On behalf of its 80,000 members nationwide, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently sent letters to each member of the new 112th Congress, congratulating them on their election and promising to work with both political parties to foster policies that encourage job creation in the hard-hit design and construction industry. “As community leaders, architects [...]

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed S3250, the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010, which includes provisions backed by NEMA. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.

A European entrepreneur is selling incandescent lamps as “heat balls” to get around the European ban going into effect this year. No, I’m not making this up! We’ll probably see all sorts of shenanigans like this in 2012 when the U.S. standards start to go into effect. What is so terrible about simply buying energy-saving [...]

The Illuminating Engineering Society has published PS-05-10 – Standards for Energy Efficient Indoor Lighting, a position statement on the subject of imposing energy standards on indoor lighting technology, such as efficacy standards for luminaires. IES “believes that technology independent approaches are the best way to provide energy reductions and to stimulate future energy savings.” IES [...]