LSG's Made-in-America Bulbs Promote Energy Efficiency in the Heart of the Santa Monica Mountains
Lighting Science Group (OTCBB: LSCG), one of the world's leading LED lighting companies, today announced its collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS) to open a "net zero" visitor center in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), the first of its kind in the nearly 400 parks that make up the NPS system. Named for the congressman who introduced legislation to create SMMNRA in 1978, the Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center at the King Gillette Ranch is LEED Platinum Certified, produces all of its energy needs through a 94 kilowatt photovoltaic solar energy system and replaces traditional lighting options with Lighting Science Group's energy efficient and made-in-America LED technology.
"The beauty of this new visitor center is that it combines the old with the new to achieve the highest environmental standards," said park spokesperson, Kate Kuykendall. "In addition to the original architect's extensive use of natural lighting, we're proud to use LED lighting technology to decrease the carbon footprint of the facility."
The 7,000 square foot Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center sits on the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch located at the intersection of five major tributaries. The ranch includes the 1928 mansion designed by Wallace Neff for razor magnate King C. Gillette with the visitor center itself once serving as the ranch's original horse stables. Now repurposed with stringent energy efficiency measures --such as Lighting Science Group's LED fixtures—the Beilenson Center achieved LEED Platinum certification. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act provided $9.5 million in funding for the center's construction ensuring that all building materials —including Lighting Science Group's PAR38 lamps — are American-made.
"Lighting Science Group is proud to be part of this effort," said Keith Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Lighting Science Group. "Our bulbs will only use half a Watt per square foot due to the energy efficiency of our LED's and the unique design of this building. In addition, these lights will run for years with no need for maintenance. The low cost of today's LED technology makes this type of conservation available to a range of applications. Imagine the conservational impact if all the NPS visitor centers followed King Gillette Ranch's example."
The new facility is open to the public, and an easy day-trip for those in Southern California with two-thirds of the park within Los Angeles County limits. It is open 7 days per week from 9 am -5 pm.