According to Simonson, a 0.8% decrease in private residential construction and a 0.3% dip in private nonresidential spending offset the 0.7% rise in public construction, which may also decrease as rising costs for paving materials, metals, and plastics cause projects to be canceled or redesigned.

Florida Program Offers Grants for Solar Power Systems
On July 1, Florida's Renewable Energies Technologies grants program became effective. Under the law, the state will pay up to half the cost of home solar power systems until the fund's $2.5 million appropriation is exhausted. The money will fund rebates of up to $4 per watt for solar electric systems, $300 to $500 for hot water heating systems, and up to $20,000 for a residence or $100,000 for a business or non-profit organization's photovoltaic system. A state-approved solar installer, master electrician, or electrical contractor must install the systems, and the equipment must be obtained from an approved list maintained by the Florida Solar Energy Center. The systems must connect to the electrical grid and be at least 2kW in size.

The Florida rebates are in addition to the federal tax credits that started Jan. 1 and are scheduled to continue throughout 2007. Under Internal Revenue Service rules, taxpayers are allowed a tax credit equal to 30% of their investment in a solar electric panel up to a maximum of $2,000, and another equivalent credit for investing in a solar hot water heating system.

Rexel to Acquire GE Supply
Dallas-based Rexel Group recently signed an agreement to acquire GE Supply from GE Consumer & Industrial, a unit of General Electric, for a total consideration of $725 million. GE Supply, Shelton, Conn., employs approximately 2,500 people in more than 150 locations around the world, with its core electrical distribution activities based mainly in the United States. Upon closing, GE Supply will operate as a stand-alone organization and will report to the newly created Rexel U.S. holding group currently headed by Dick Waterman, Rexel Inc.'s executive vice president and CEO. Senior Vice President and CEO of GE Supply, Jeff Schaper, will continue to operate the business. The transaction is expected to close by early August 2006, subject to consent of Rexel's senior lenders.

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One Gets It Done
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Contractors Earn Free Merchandise From B-line
Introducing the Great Gear program, a way to acquire free gifts by collecting and redeeming B-Line Bucks found on B-Line's fastener product boxes. Simply remove your B-Line Bucks from the box label and use them to select from a wide assortment of gear in B-Line's Great Gear catalog. To obtain a catalog and order forms, see your local B-Line distributor, or visit our Web site at www.b-line.com

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Business Brief
The Shaw Group, Baton Rouge, La., recently announced its third quarter fiscal 2006 financial results, reporting that its quarterly revenues increased to $1.2 billion, a 38% increase over third quarter 2005. Shaw's backlog totaled a record $8.1 billion as of May 31, an increase of $1.4 billion from August 31, 2005. Shaw expects to convert approximately $3.8 billion, or 47%, of the backlog during the next 12 months. More than $3.3 billion, or 41%, of the backlog consists of projects for fossil fuel, nuclear, and other power generating plants, and more than $2.0 billion, or 25%, of the backlog is made up of chemical industry projects.

For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.

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Eye on Safety
Preventing Heat Stress
Washington State's Division of Occupational Safety and Health Services recently issued a Hot Weather Advisory featuring tips on how to avoid heat-related illness on the job site. According to the advisory, the two major heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion, if untreated, may progress to deadly heat stroke.

The report stresses that if workers show symptoms, always take this seriously and have them take a break and cool down before returning to work. If symptoms worsen or the worker does not recover within 15 minutes, call 9-1-1 and have the worker transported and medically evaluated. For a complete list of symptoms and tips on preventing heat-related illnesses, visit Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries' Web site to download a pdf of the Hot Weather Advisory.

Shows and Events
2006 OML Annual Conference
Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) in association with the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma (MESO) presents "Down the Stretch: Racing to the Centennial" from Aug. 17-19 at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City. This year's event includes a pre-conference workshop on agenda preparation, the MESO board and annual business meetings, and a gubernatorial forum. For more information, visit the Conference & Exposition's Web site.