As the global shift toward green continues, Congress show their concern on climate changing. US Congress will change 125-year old Incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent lights in next four years. 

NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) team up with lighting manufacturing to offer rebate checks to lighting distributors, contractors, lighting designers/architect and end users if they use energy-saving fixtures on their projects.

If you’re a home owner having a four-family or above house, you can get tax rebate if you improve your lighting system by using sensor or dimming system. This tax rebate applies to office buildings as well.   

From Lighting insiders…. the transition begins the week of January 15 and Philips will take full control of Genlyte Group on Jan 24 hopefully. During this period, there is no shipping and order entry in the warehouses and service centers under Genlyte Group.

From distributors’ point of view, jobbers suffer the most. They cannot complete the projects due to back ordered materials. For the investors of Philips, the first quarter of 2008 is the most profitable period during this global economic “recession”… especial in US after Citigroup laid off 4200 plus employees yesterday.

Two months after Acuity Brand bought Mark Architecture Lighintg, Philips acquires Genlyte Group for 2.9 billion US Dollar… the world’s largest lamps and ballasts manufacturer starts getting into lighting fixtures business. What is the impact of this acquisition? especially to New York market. Will GE go after Cooper Lighting?