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Coming Up in EC&M
Minority Report
Federal stimulus funds available for state and local
construction projects have put a sharper focus on hiring disadvantaged
businesses. For the January issue of EC&M, we'll be discussing
the requirements that qualify contracting firms as disadvantaged, such
as minority or veteran ownership, revenue, and size. If you have an
opinion on this subject you'd like to share for possible publication,
contact Staff Writer Beck Ireland by phone at (913) 967-1806 or e-mail
at beck.ireland@penton.com.
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AEMC® Introduces Its Newest
PowerPad® Model 8335 Power Quality Analyzer
Model 8335 is a three-phase power quality analyzer that is
easy-to-use, compact, and shock-resistant. It has direct measurement of
four voltage and four current inputs including neutral voltage and
current. It simultaneously captures and records trend, transients,
events, and waveforms with 2GB of memory for data storage.
Visit: www.aemc.com.
Around the Circuit
AGC Calls for
Additional Measures to Prevent Further Construction Job Losses
Unemployed construction workers continue to outnumber
unemployed workers in any other sector as recently released figures from
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveal another 62,000 lost
construction jobs in October, totaling 18.7% for construction
unemployment. The figures show that additional measures to stimulate
construction demand, such as the recently passed extension of the
homebuyers' tax credit and expansion of carryback for net operating
losses are needed, according to the Associated General Contractors of
America (AGC), Arlington, Va. To read more on this story, visit
EC&M's Web
site.
North American
Business Conditions Readings Retreat Modestly in October
Rosslyn, Va.-based National Electrical Manufacturers
Association's (NEMA) Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI)
for current North American conditions lost ground in October for the
first time in four months, falling 6.7 points. Nonetheless, at 51.9, the
index managed to breach the critical 50-point threshold for the third
straight month, suggesting at least a modest improvement in industry
conditions relative to September. To read more on this story, visit
EC&M's Web
site.
BPU Approves 51MW
Expansion for PSE&G's Solar Program
Newark, N.J.-based New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
(BPU) recently approved a $143-million expansion to the solar loan
program by Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), a subsidiary
of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), Newark, N.J. The expansion
will finance the installation of an additional 51MW of solar energy
systems on homes, businesses, and municipal buildings throughout PSE&G's
electric service area.To read more on this story, visit EC&M's
Web
site.
U.S. Wind
Energy Industry Installs Over 1,600 MW in Third Quarter
Washington D.C.-based American Wind Energy Association
(AWEA) recently reported that the U.S. wind energy industry installed
1,649MW of new power-generating capacity in the third quarter — an
amount higher than either the second quarter of 2009 or the third
quarter of 2008 — bringing the total capacity added this year to date
to over 5,800MW. AWEA also reported that wind turbine manufacturing
still lags below 2008 levels, in both production and new
announcements.To read more on this story, visit EC&M's Web
site.
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Project Watch
Controls System
and Electrical Work in Arkansas
Brinkley Water and Sewer Commission, Brinkley, Ark., is
accepting separate sealed bids for the construction of a new filter
system, valve replacement, instrumentation and controls system,
electrical work, and generator installation for the Brinkley water
treatment plant expansion. Bids are due by 10 a.m. CST on December 2.
For more information, visit The Oklahoman's Web
site.
Electrical
Contract in Arkansas
Ideal Construction, Crossett, Ark., is receiving bids
for an electrical contract as part of the construction of a new physical
education facility for Emerson-Taylor School District, Emerson, Ark.
Bids are due by 2 p.m. CST on December 10. For more information, visit
The Oklahoman's Web
site.
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 Stainless Steel Liquid Tight
Connectors
ElecDirect's line of stainless steel liquid-tight
conduit connectors is made of corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel
and designed specifically for flexible liquid-tight conduit. Ideal for
highly corrosive environments, these connectors are extremely durable
and UV-resistant. They also include an insulated throat for further
cable protection. Starting from only $19.99 — it's time to stop
replacing broken plastic and rusted steel connectors. www.elecDirect.com
— or call toll free 800-701-0975 for more information.
Web Exclusives
Business Brief
St. Louis-based PayneCrest Electric and Communications
recently was honored with a Construction Keystone Award, hosted by the
Associated General Contractors of St. Louis. The firm won the Project of
the Year, Specialty Contractor, Industrial/Infrastructure Construction
– $5 Million or More category for its work on the Holcim Cement Plant,
Ste. Genevieve, Mo.For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M Web site.
EPA's Lead-Safe
Program Open to Contractors
Calling all electrical contractors. It’s time to
reduce childhood lead poisoning by working lead safe. By April 2010, all
firms that disturb lead paint as part of their work in pre-1978 homes,
schools, and other buildings must be certified by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). After this deadline, all of these types of jobs
must be supervised by a certified renovator who has completed an
EPA-accredited one-day training course; other employees will have to
receive specific on-the-job training. That’s where EPA’s new
Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) program comes in.
To read more about the lead-safe program, visit the EC&M Web
site.
Construction
Market Forecast Calls for 11% Jump in 2010
Gains in housing and public works will offset declines
in commercial and manufacturing building — that was the big news
coming out of McGraw-Hill Construction’s 71st annual Outlook 2010
Executive Conference held in mid-October in Washington, D.C. In its
“2010 Construction Outlook,” McGraw Hill analysts forecast an
increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year. Due to
improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader expansion
for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected
to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for
2009.For more of the forecast, visit the EC&M Web
site.
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The 2010 IEEE Power & Energy Society Transmission and
Distribution Conference and Exposition will occur April 19-22
in New Orleans. Join us in the Crescent City for the most informative
event focusing on the technological solutions that will drive the
industry into the future. Discuss the challenges you now face with
equipment manufacturers and service providers from all over the world.
For more information go to www.ieeet-d.org.
Eye on Safety
Sparking Electrical
Panel at Ice Rink Causes Burns
On Nov. 12, an unidentified electrician was transported
to the OSU Burn Center after an electrical panel exploded at the Chiller
Easton Ice Rink, Columbus, Ohio. The employee was working on a 480V
power panel when the panel sparked and caught fire. Witnesses said the
unit still was sparking as fire crews arrived. According to police and
fire crew authorities on the scene, the incident has been declared an
industrial accident.
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Shows & Events
Electric West
2010
The Electric West 2010 and Power Quality conference will
be held March 16-18 in Las Vegas. Topics at this year's event include
lighting control, power quality and harmonics, and renewable energy
generation and storage. For more information, visit the Electric West
2010 Web
site.
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