New Study Provides Roadmap for Building Efficiency by 2050
New modeling by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Geneva, shows how energy use in buildings can be cut by 60% by 2050 — essential to meeting global climate change targets — but this will require immediate action to transform the building sector. This is the central message of the report "Transforming the Market: Energy Efficiency in Buildings," the result of the WBCSD’s four-year, $15-million Energy Efficiency in Buildings (EEB) research project.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M’s Web site.

Industry Leaders Launch Standards Initiative for Smart Lighting Systems
LonMark International, the San-Jose, Calif.-based non-profit member trade association recognized as an industry authority for the creation and promotion of device networking interoperability standards, recently announced the formation of an industry advisory committee to guide and accelerate the organization's activities in lighting markets. Founding members of the committee represent leading users, specifiers, and developers of indoor and outdoor lighting systems.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M’s Web site.

Duke Energy to Build up to 400 Mini Solar Power Plants in North Carolina
Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke Energy will build between 100 and 400 electricity-generating mini solar power plants throughout North Carolina over the next two years in one of the first large-scale initiatives of its kind in the United States, according to CEO Jim Rogers. "Solar and wind are both going to be key parts of our strategy going forward," Rogers told reporters following the company's annual meeting.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M’s Web site.

Project Watch
Fire Alarm System Maintenance in Arizona
The Purchasing Department of the Sunnyside School District, Tucson, Ariz., is soliciting bids for maintenance and inspections of fire alarm systems for the 2009-2010 school year. The deadline for bids is May 21 at 2 p.m. MST. For more information contact, Richard Oros, director of plant operations at (520) 545-2099 or download the bid document at the school district's Web site.

Electrical Contract in Wyoming
Groathouse Construction, Laramie, Wyo., and Hot Springs County, Wyo., are requesting pre-qualified subcontractor bids from electrical contractors for work on the New Hot Springs County Government Annex Building, Thermopolis, Wyo. A pre-bid meeting will be held June 4 at 10 a.m. MST at the office of the Hot Springs County Clerk, Thermopolis, Wyo. Faxed bids sent to (866) 699-1404 will be accepted until 9 a.m. MST on June 16. Sealed bids will be accepted until 11 a.m. MST on June 16. For more information, download a pdf from the Hot Springs County Web site.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
The special projects division of Palmer Electric, Winter Park, Fla., has secured a nearly $1 million contract for phase II renovations at the 15-story, 231-room Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Palmer is providing electrical contracting for first-floor power and lighting including kitchen, dining room, lobby, lobby bar, fitness center, business center, grand ballroom, and convention center. Additionally, Palmer is providing systems for fire alarm, dimming, and automated building controls.

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

Bulk of A/E Firms Plan for M&A Activity in Near Future
Wayland, Mass.-based ZweigWhite recently released its 2009 Merger & Acquisition Survey. Highlights of the results and a response from Gregory Hart, a consultant with ZweigWhite who specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, can be found on the EC&M Web site.

Eye on Safety
AFCI Requirement Debated in Indiana
The required installation of arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) was once again debated during a recent public hearing of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, Indianapolis. Supporters want Indiana's electrical code to follow those of 27 other states that require the circuits. However, representatives of builders associations argue that the cost of installing the circuits (adding $300 to $400 to the price of a $150,000 house) outweighs the total of fire damage each year.

In 2005, the state removed the requirement from its electrical code, citing high cost and the circuits' effectiveness. John Erickson, spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, said the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission would decide in June or July whether to reinstitute the requirement.

Call for Papers
PowerTest 2010
The InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA), Portage, Mich., is requesting 100- to 200-word abstracts for papers to be presented at PowerTest 2010 Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference, which is scheduled to be held from February 15 to February 18, 2010, in Long Beach, Calif. Abstracts should be non-commercial, technical submissions with a focus on safety, reliability, or equipment. The deadline to submit an abstract is May 15. For more information, visit the PowerTest Web site.

Shows & Events
Pulp and Paper Industry Conference
The Industry Applications Society (IAS) 55th Pulp and Paper Industry Conference is scheduled for June 21-26 in Birmingham, Ala. Topics for papers to be presented at the event include changes to global motor efficiency regulations, generator tripping events at industrial facilities, and developments in industrial lighting. For more information and to register, visit the conference Web site.

Enroll In EC&M University's Online Arc Flash Courses
Need Arc Flash prevention training and continuing education, but don't have a travel budget? That's no problem. EC&M University’s e-Training Center is the answer! Just link to these live, online training courses directly from your computer. Each course will be presented in a concise and easy-to-understand manner by an industry acknowledged expert.

• Arc Flash Testing Updates
  June 16, 2009
• Arc Flash Hazard Mitigation Case Studies
  June 25, 2009