Networking is one of the many great benefits of the IES Annual Conference and much of the discussion centered around price decreases and the influence of BigChinaLED. We’ll have a story on that subject on Thursday.
Below are a few of the discussion topics:
- Cree is on the acquisition trail. EdisonReport has learned of two companies which Cree has expressed an interest, but nothing appears imminent.
- Danny Castillo is the leading candidate to replace CEO Chuck Swoboda at Cree, but the company is also considering outside candidates. Expect an announcement late August or early September. (Actually we heard this before, during, and after the conference.)
- If you think the US-North Korea war of words is bad, you won’t like what is about to happen between the NEMA and the California Energy Commission. We are told that it is about to get ugly. EdisonReport reported two weeks ago that NEMA filed a preemptive suit, and we are told that CEC is not backing down. The CEC position is that the Feds (NEMA) have the right to regulate energy and the states (CEC) have the right to regulate quality. The dispute is centered around the CEC requirement of 90 CRI and R9 for LED bulbs.
- IES received criticism for taking a year to respond to the A.M.A paper calling for 3000K in outdoor lighting, but this criticism is undeserved as IES was working feverishly behind the scenes in an effort to get AMA to change their position. With no movement from the AMA, IES felt compelled to write their response. The IES response could have been more critical of the AMA, but IES strives to maintain a working relationship with them. In addition we have heard from non-IES people that there may an update from AMA in 2018, and lighting people should be invited to that discussion. If AMA does change their position, don’t look for a retraction from their 3000K position, it is more likely they will use a phrase such as “…based on new data, AMA recommends….”
- Denis Lavoie has left LED Roadway Lighting and is pursuing other opportunities and looking for the next challenge. [email protected].
- New IES President Cheryl English has a goal of reducing the time cycle of technical standards by 50%. This will happen with the addition of the new standards committee as well as implementing best practices (some similar to ASHRAE) and reducing the administration burdens.