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Around the Circuit
Economists
Predict
Nonresidential Construction Will Stay Strong
In May, all construction sectors experienced gains, as
did all regions of the country, says Kermit Baker, chief economist for
the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington, D.C.,
commenting
on the findings in the AIA's monthly "Work-on-the-Boards" survey of 300
firms. Architecture firms reported an increase in billings, compared to
the prior three months. According to Reed Construction Data,
Norcross, Ga., the year-to-date value of construction starts through
May
2007, excluding residential contracts, jumped 18%, compared to the same
months in 2006. Seasonally adjusted starts increased 3.9% from April to
a record high. According to Jim Haughey, chief economist for Reed,
hotels, offices, bridges, and water/sewer facilities were the fastest
growing markets in the first five months of 2007. Airport and
library/museum work were the only two sectors that experienced a
decline, with 25% year-to-date decreases in 2007 following full-year
declines in 2006. The value of new construction starts in May climbed
8% from the previous month, seasonally adjusted, but was down 15%
year-to-date, reports McGraw-Hill Construction, New York, in its "Dodge
Report." Residential building starts were down 2% for the month and 28%
year-to-date. Nonresidential building was up 4% for the month but down
4% year-to-date.
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AEMC's Clamp-On Ground Resistance Testers, Models 3711 and 3731,
measure
ground and rod resistance in any environment without the use of
auxiliary ground rods. These instruments are used on multi-grounded
systems without disconnecting the ground under test. Features include:
fast setting time, high immunity to electrical noise, extended battery
life, and rugged, easily cleaned, smooth jaws improve reading accuracy.
www.aemc.com/products/index.asp
California's
Assembly Passes
Light Bulb Efficiency Standards
Instead of eliminating incandescent light bulbs
altogether, California lawmakers recently passed Assembly Bill (AB)
1109, which requires the state to set energy efficiency standards for
light bulbs that by 2018 would reduce electricity consumption by 50%
for
indoor lighting and 25% for commercial and outdoor lighting. The bill's
proponents hold AB 1109 as a national model that would reduce
electrical
demand, curb emission of 6 million tons of greenhouse gases annually,
and save ratepayers $3 billion per year by negating the need for five
new power plants. Opponents say the bill is a backdoor ban on
incandescents and also intrudes on consumer choice. The assembly passed
the bill with a vote of 49 to 29. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken
no position.
Study Recommends
Energy Efficiency Policies for Florida
Florida could save $28 billion and create more than
14,000 jobs by 2023 by expanding energy efficiency measures and
investing in renewable energy sources, like biomass and solar, says a
recent study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
(ACEEE), Washington, D.C. According to the study, "Potential for Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy to Meet Florida's Growing Energy
Demands," energy efficiency policies, such as efficient windows,
compact
fluorescent bulbs, and Energy Star appliances, could nearly offset the
state's entire future growth in electric demand by that same time.
In
addition, the direct and indirect jobs created would be equivalent to
nearly 100 new manufacturing plants relocating to the state, but
without
the demand for infrastructure and other energy needs. The study
provides
specific energy policy recommendations that the state should consider
and comes at a time when the state is gearing up for the Summit on
Global Climate Change in Miami
July 12-13.
San Francisco
Launches Solar Mapping Web Portal
Englewood, Colo.-based CH2M Hill Enterprise Management
Solutions, in partnership with the City and County of San Francisco's
Dept. of the Environment, recently announced the development of the
first solar mapping Web portal. The portal estimates the solar energy
potential for every commercial and residential rooftop in San Francisco
and allows building owners to visualize the potential environmental
benefits and monetary savings that would result from installing solar
energy panels on their property. Publicly accessible and replicable for
use in other cities and countries throughout the world, the portal uses
Google Maps as a visualization platform. To access the portal, click on
www.sf.solarmap.org.
ADVERTISEMENT
 New Flip Clip
from Cooper B-Line
The fastest, most inexpensive way to securely hang and level wire
basket
tray, saving installers time and money. The Flip Clip™
can be used with 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch threaded rods, eliminating the
need for multiple hanger sizes. The Flip Clip requires only one nut and
one tool for installation. www.cooperbline.com/flipclip
Project Watch
Lighting
Project in Dallas
The Texas Dept. of Transportation is requesting bids
for
the Katy Trail lighting improvements project. A pre-bid conference will
be held July 9 at 10 a.m. Bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. on July
18.
For information regarding this project, contact Alan Hendrix, P.E.,
project manager with the City of Dallas, by phone (214) 670-4262 or
e-mail alan.hendrix@dallascityhall.com.
Electrical Work in Pittsburgh
Galway Bay Corp., Pittsburgh, is seeking
PENNDOT-certified and qualified M/W/DBE contractors to submit quotes
for
the Sharon Wastewater Treatment Plant Contract G -- General
Construction, including electrical work. Bids are due July 11 at 5 p.m.
Plans and specifications are available from Galway's office by
contacting Trudy Savage or Greg Maynard at (724) 277-4282.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Grounding Line Addition
ILSCO introduces a new line of cast bronze clamps with copper straps
for
grounding rigid conduit systems. The BGCS clamps have a ground wire
range of 3/0 to No. 10, a water pipe range of 1/2" to 1", and a
conduit
hub
size range of 1/2" to 1". Two versions are available: one with a
saddle
for connecting the ground wire to the pipe and one without a saddle.
UL
listed and CSA certified. www.ilsco.com
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Levitt and Sons recently selected Winter Park,
Fla.-based Palmer Electric Co., to provide electrical contracting and
fire alarm systems for a new clubhouse under construction at The
Cascades at Groveland in Groveland, Fla. Palmer plans to complete its
$876,000 contract in November of this year on the four-building complex
that includes a 38,000-square-foot golf and community clubhouse with
4,000-square-feet of covered veranda, a tennis pavilion, a pool and spa
building, and a pool cabana.For more business briefs, visit
EC&M's Web
site.
ADVERTISEMENT
 Hardhat, tool belt, work boots.
You rely
on
a lot of things to get the job done. And now, you can add NES Rentals
to
that list. From scissor lifts to articulated booms, we've got the
reliable aerial equipment you need. Call 800-NES-RENT or visit our site
to learn more. www.NESRentals.com
Shows and Events
NSPE Annual
Meeting
The National Society of Professional Engineers will
present its annual meeting in Denver from July 26-29. Conference
education session topics cover teambuilding, profitability, forensic
engineering, sustainable design, risk management, and stress
management.
For more information and to register, visit NSPE's Web site.
Let's Go
Racing!
Win a Free Road America Race Weekend for Two
EC&M magazine and Generac Power Systems have
teamed up to offer an expenses-paid weekend (August 10-12, 2007)
featuring two of the world's fastest racing series. The third annual
Generac Power Weekend is one thrilling day of American LeMans series
racing (the Generac 500) and an equally exciting day of Champ Car
racing
at its finest (the Generac Grand Prix). It's your chance to see both
series compete in a single weekend at one of North America's most
beautiful tracks. Located in the hilly heart of Wisconsin's scenic
Kettle Moraine area, Road America is a four-mile permanent road course
that tests drivers with 14 challenging turns.
Enter by July 10, 2007. Visit the Generac Power Systems virtual
booth
at the EC&M
E-Tradeshow. Full contest rules are available online in the Generac
E-Tradeshow booth. For more information about the Generac Power
Weekend,
go to www.roadamerica.com.
EC&M
Code
Change Conferences
Where do you turn when you need accurate information on
changes to the National Electrical Code? Acknowledged as the leaders in
providing information on the NEC, EC&M magazine and EC&M
Seminars have been the preferred sources of this information for more
than 60 years. Seven Code change conferences have been scheduled in the
fall of 2007. Host cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Orlando,
Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Seattle.
As an approved provider with the National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), through its Registered Continuing
Education provider Program (RCEPP), professional engineers attending
any
of our 2008 Code change conferences will receive Professional
Development Hours (PDHs), a requirement for re-licensing in many
states.
The conferences are also approved by every state that has a continuing
education requirement for contractors and electricians.
For additional information on the dates and locations of these
events, click
here.
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