November 23, 2024
5 Things to Know: November 23
Lighting firms shorted by utility rebate funds. Plus, undercabinet light named a top invention by TIME.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Mainstream Media Highlights Louis Poulsen’s Backstory
Fast Company recently published a 1000-word article explaining the backstory of one of the more recognizable global brands in architectural lighting.
Reporter Diana Budds highlighted that Poul Henningsen’s work with Danish brand Louis Poulsen revolutionized public lighting and cemented the brand’s reputation as a pioneer of modern design. Known for his aversion to glare and harsh lighting, Henningsen crafted iconic designs like the Artichoke pendant and PH table lamp, both featured in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Did you know Poul Henningsen designed spiral-shaped outdoor lights for Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, which later inspired elements of Disneyland's design? https://t.co/fROSCXl3bC
— Inside Lighting (@InsLighting) November 22, 2024
Henningsen's minimalist designs for Louis Poulsen extended from domestic settings to iconic public spaces, such as Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens. In the 1960s, the duo revisited street lighting to counteract modern glare, a challenge still relevant in today’s LED-dominated world. As lighting technology advances, Henningsen’s commitment to comfort and functionality serves as a timeless model for addressing light pollution and safety concerns in the public realm.
2 . LED Rebate Program Shortfall Strains Lighting Vendors
Margaret Jackson of MJBizDaily reports that a popular LED lighting rebate program by Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy has run out of funding, leaving cannabis lighting vendors, including Mesa, Arizona-based Scynce LED, struggling to recover significant costs. Scynce LED reported $500,000 in unpaid rebates for lighting projects completed before the program's suspension in July. CEO Nick Pastushan said the funding gap has severely impacted the company’s budget, as the rebates were expected to offset upfront costs covered by the vendor.
The program, which launched in 2022 across Colorado, Minnesota, and New Mexico, offered rebates of up to 70 cents per watt for switching to energy-efficient horticultural LEDs. Xcel is conducting an audit to assess the program's demand while reallocating $34 million from future budgets to address the shortfall.
Despite these challenges, cannabis growers participating in the program have reported significant energy savings, with some reducing costs by 30%-40%, according to Jackson. Colorado-based Options Cannabis Co. owner Ted Calvo praised the LED systems for cutting utility bills and improving operational efficiency by reducing heat and labor costs.
3. Undercabinet LED Included in TIME Best Inventions
What do the Whisker Cat Litter-Robot 4, the TrueLoo AI-Powered Smart Toilet Seat, and the GE Lighting Cync Undercabinet Fixtures have in common?
Each was named among TIME magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2024,” recognizing innovations that enhance daily life. The GE Lighting Cync Undercabinet Fixtures earned a spot for their smart technology that delivers customizable, full-color lighting ideal for workspaces and kitchens. Users can adjust brightness, hue, and schedules via voice commands or integrated apps like Alexa and Google Assistant, reflecting the increasing role of smart lighting in modern homes.
The annual TIME list features 200 standout inventions across various industries, including consumer electronics, health, and sustainability.
4. Half of Infrastructure Bill Funds Remain Unspent as Administration Changes
Construction Dive reports that three years into the five-year Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), $568 billion — 47% of its funds — has been announced, according to a Nov. 15 White House fact sheet. While more than 66,000 construction projects are moving forward under the $1.2 trillion law, the Biden administration is racing to distribute funds before the incoming Trump administration takes office.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $3.4 billion in IIJA grants on Nov. 15 to improve passenger rail, ports, and road safety. However, with President-elect Donald Trump pledging to scale back parts of Biden’s bills, funding for public transportation, Amtrak, and electric vehicles could face cuts.
Despite the uncertainty, Construction Dive states that cutting IIJA funds may prove politically difficult, as Republican-leaning districts have significantly benefited, per the Global Infrastructure Investment Association. The construction industry anticipates sustained investment, with PCL Construction CEO Chris Gower telling Construction Dive he does not foresee a major reduction in spending.
5. ‘Lighting Glitch’ Delays Bridge Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
As reported by WVUE Fox 8 New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has delayed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Crescent City Connection’s (CCC) new decorative lighting system due to a malfunction in a section of the LED lights. The CCC, a pair of cantilever bridges spanning 13,428 feet across the Mississippi River, is the fifth-longest cantilever bridge in the world. DOTD stated that the project is two months ahead of schedule, and the contractor is investigating the issue, potentially caused by a power surge.
The new lighting system, which replaces infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021, is designed to modernize the bridge ahead of the Super Bowl in February. DOTD is working to ensure the lights are fully operational before transferring responsibility to the City of New Orleans. The CCC, formerly known as the Greater New Orleans Bridge, carries four lanes of U.S. Highway 90 Business traffic on each of its twin spans and remains vital to the region’s transportation network.
