Energy Saving Lighting for the Department of Defense

The Department of Defense is one of the largest consumers of electricity in the world. So, it is no surprise that they are looking very hard at the most cost-effective measures to reduce their operating expenses. As America works to pull itself out of the recession, the military may be a strong catalyst given that purchases of American made energy reduction products and accompanying installations, simply create the much needed American jobs. On June 28^th, 2012, the President of LED Lighting Solutions, Kevin Button, flew in from California to Washington, DC to meet with high ranking members of the Energy Conservation Team from one the Department of Defense (DOD) specialty divisions.

Independence LED, Chairman and CEO, Charlie Szoradi, joined Mr. Button in Washington, DC for the meeting to discuss strategic implementation of retrofits for T12 and T8 fluorescent tubes to American Made LED Tubes. Since the summer of 2011, LED Lighting Solutions has been conducting multiple lighting audits for a vast range of energy conservation efforts for the military. The Independence LED Tubes were selected and installed in a pilot program over Q3, 2011. The feedback from the July 28^th meeting was that the Independence LED Tubes have out-performed a set of imported tubes with internal driver technology over the year long testing program.

"Kevin and his team have not only found a significant opportunity for selling LED tubes into our U.S. Defense Department, but they has also set in motion the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule for the civilian side of the Government sector. We applaud LED Lighting Solutions for building their Distribution model around American Made LED lighting products rigorous support service model from auditing to installation and follow up metering." Charlie Szoradi – Chairman & CEO, Independence LED.

This recent trip to Washington, DC is not the first time that Mr. Szoradi has engaged at the Federal level.  In 2009, he served on the Green Economy Task Force, specifically for the Capital Hill Delegation through his role as Board Member of the Sustainable Business Network.  His Task Force role included meeting with Senators and members of the House of Representatives, from both sides of the aisle, to identify the benefits of energy efficiency measures in the private sector, in advance of the vote on the multi-billion dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

This summer, the next meetings range from the Navy Weapons Station in San Diego, California to the Army Corps of Engineers in Rogers, Arkansas. Given the July 14^th, 2012 ban by the DOE on the inefficient “T12” fluorescent tubes and the significant volume of remaining T12s in the military properties, the leadership team at the June 28th meeting in Washington, DC was naturally interested in the advantages of the CASH for CLUNKERS Lighting program.