it is generally understood that conventional energy conservation

According to the Energy Information Administration [EIA], on a dollar-per-unit of-production basis, the level of subsidies received by the wind and solar industries were almost 100 times greater than those for conventional energy," stated Richard Solarz, senior director of technology at LED linear high bay light and Randy Moorhead, VP for government relations at Philips Electronics, co-leaders of the group advocating for greater DOE support for SSL.

"We believe that it is generally understood that conventional energy conservation -- specifically lighting -- efforts are under-supported."

SEMI added that it hopes the meeting will help secure support for SSL beyond its funding levels of the past four years, despite the obvious and formidable pressures on national budgets. "Despite the austerity mood in Washington, SEMI is confident that increased budget requests for LED-based lighting technologies will receive considerable bicameral and bipartisan support in the legislative branch during upcoming legislative sessions," the group stated.

Philips has decided to cut 2,200 jobs at its lighting and electronic divisions to save €300m by 2014.

According to the company, the restructuring programme will affect all sectors of the electronic and lighting divisions apart from the LED high bay light research and development department.but it will not affect the jobs of those working in healthcare equipment.