NEMA enLIGHTen America Initiative To Target Building Owners

Building owners and other executives who purchase lighting products for nonresidential facilities will soon be hearing about the benefits of upgrading their lighting from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., through its new “enLIGHTen America” campaign, which was launched at the 2008 LightFair trade show and conference in late May. Sponsored by NEMA on behalf of its lighting membership, the campaign is aimed at reducing energy use and costs in the 5 million existing commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in the United States.

“There are 71 billion square feet of space in nonresidential buildings in the USA,” said to Evan Gaddis, NEMA’s president and CEO. “Most of the lighting in this space is inefficient and contributes to our energy crisis every day. Building owners can save as much as 40 percent on their energy bills, green their operations, and get a two-year payback by investing in a modern lighting system with the latest sustainable technology. As a bonus, the 2005 Energy Policy Act is still in effect, which can provide up to 60 cents a square foot in tax incentives.”