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Around the Circuit
Bush Signs Energy
Bill
On Aug. 8 President Bush signed a new 1,724-page energy
bill that will funnel billions of dollars to energy companies in the
form of tax breaks and loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants,
clean coal technology, and wind energy. The bill requires that
utilities
comply with federal reliability standards for its electricity grid,
instead of self-regulation. For consumers, the bill will provide tax
credits for buying hybrid gasoline-electric cars and making
energy-conservation improvements in new and existing homes. Also,
beginning in 2007, the measure extends daylight-savings time by four
weeks. The bill's price tag ($12.3 billion over 10 years) is twice what
the White House first proposed.
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information visit www.aemc.com.
VDC Global
Market Analysis Finds Increased Demand for DC/DC Power Chips
A recent market analysis by Venture Development
Corporation (VDC) claims that the proliferation of lower voltages at
higher current levels has fueled an increased use of distributed power
architecture with point of load DC/DC converters across more
applications. The study states that pent-up demand caused a surge in
sales of DC/DC converters in 2004. In addition, the semiconductor
industry had a substantial recovery in 2004, achieving record levels
similar to 2000, but prices again quickly declined. In conclusion, the
analysis cites that semiconductor companies and analysts anticipate
little growth for the entire semiconductor industry, but VDC predicts
double-digit growth for DC/DC power chips. To download a pdf of the
full
text of the study, visit VDC's
Web site.
Industry Issue Resolution Program
Will Address Definition of Home Construction Contracts
The IRS and Treasury Department announced that their
Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) program will address the definition of
home construction contracts, as requested by Associated Builders and
Contractors. The clarification of the IIR guidelines is expected to
assist contractors in their efforts to better comply with the nation's
various tax codes. Created in 2000, the IRR resolves tax issues using a
multi-functional team to analyze existing codes and offer guidance to
the IRS. The evaluation process is expected to begin soon.
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for a complete product profile of the most cost-efficient testing
device
in the industry.
Project Watch
Pennsylvania's Catasaqua School
District Invites Bids for High School Addition
The Catasauqua-area school district in northern
Pennsylvania is requesting sealed bids, including proposals for
electrical work, for the alterations and additions to the existing high
school. Bids should be sent to the attention of Stuart Whiteleather,
business manager, District Administrative Offices, 201 N. 14th St.,
Catasauqua, PA 18032, and will be accepted until 2 p.m. EST on Sept.
7.
Bidding documents are available for examination only at MKSD,
LLC, 2970 Corporate Court, Ste. 2, Orefield, PA 18069, or F.W. Dodge,
Division of McGraw Hill, 100 W. Elm St., Conshohocken, PA 19428.
Bidders
may obtain a set of bidding documents for a $250 refundable deposit per
set from MKSD, LLC, 2970 Corporate Court, Ste. 2, Orefield, PA 18069.
Deposits will be refunded upon submission of a bid and return of all
bidding documents in good condition within 10 days after receipt of
bid.
Each bid shall be accompanied by bid security in an amount equal to 10%
of the base bid amount in the form of a bid bond as described in the
supplementary instruction to bidders.
Dallas City Hall Security System
Upgrade
Dallas is requesting competitive sealed proposals for
an upgrade to the existing security system at Dallas City Hall. The
scope of work includes expanding the existing access control system;
furnishing, installing, and integrating a new networked digital video
management and recording system, intercom system, and control consoles;
and relocating the existing security control room. The proposals should
also include a separate comprehensive security system maintenance
contract to cover all security system components. To download the bid
documents, visit the City
Hall Web site. The deadline for proposals is at 10 a.m. CST on Aug.
25.
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Web Exclusives
Business Brief
William Frick and Co. is celebrating its 30th
anniversary. The Libertyville, Ill.-based labels manufacturer is better
known by its customer base as "The Graphics Engineers" because it
doesn't just sell its decals, labels, and branding kits through a
catalog. Instead, it creates custom designs, tailoring the markers to
each client's specific needs. Bill Frick, founder and president, began
the company in 1975 out of his garage with just a few product lines.
For
more current events concerning the electrical industry, visit EC&M's
Web site.
Buildometer
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's "Construction
Spending" report, the total for construction put in place in June was
$1.09 trillion, down 0.9% from May's $1.1 trillion total. The value
for
new residential construction in June, $602.4 billion, was down 1.9%
from
May's $614.2 billion value. The June total for new non-residential
construction finished at $241.4 billion, down 0.2% from May's total,
$241.9 billion. The totals for the past year have been charted in the
line graph below. All values have been calculated at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate.
 .
Eye on Safety
Lake City, Fla., Utility
Construction Company Cited for Trenching Violations
OSHA has cited Lake City Management Group, Inc. for
allegedly exposing workers to trenching hazards at a jobsite near Lake
City, Fla., where the underground utility construction company is
based.
The company received two willful citations, with proposed penalties
totaling $66,000, for allegedly failing to use a trench box or properly
sloped or shored trench walls and for allegedly placing excavated
material too near the edges of the trench. Three serious citations,
with
proposed penalties of $3,900, were issued for the company's alleged
failure to properly train employees and for allegedly not providing
adequate means for entering and exiting the trench.
Shows and Events
ICEPAG Scheduled
for September
The sixth International Colloquium on Environmentally
Preferred Advanced Power Generation (ICEPAG) is scheduled for Sept. 7-8
at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, Calif. ICEPAG is an annual two-day
international fuel cell hybrid conference organized by the National
Fuel
Cell Research Center in collaboration with the U.S. Department of
Energy, the European Union, the United Nations, and the Pacific Rim
Consortium on Energy, Combustion, and the Environment. The 2005
colloquium will highlight hybrid fuel cell systems that range from 15kW
to 300MW, are fueled by natural gas, coal, and renewable sources, and
feature a breadth of technological concepts (including chemical
hybrids)
and applications (residential, stationary power, and mobile power). An
optional hybrid tutorial short course is scheduled for the afternoon of
Sept. 6. To register for the course, go to the National
Fuel Cell Research Center's online registration page.
ASA Leadership Forum Provides
Opportunity to Develop Valuable Skills
The ASA presents its Leadership Forum 2005 from Sept.
15-17 at the Hotel Valencia in San Antonio. The forum will provide
information and workshops on developing key leadership skills. Events
include a task force on the subcontractors legal defense fund,
workshops
on MasterFormat 2004 and surety bond qualification, and the FASA golf
tournament, among others. To register online and for the forum's
complete agenda, visit ASA's
Web site.
World Energy
Engineering Congress Returns to Austin
The World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC) will
celebrate its 28th anniversary from Sept. 14-16 in Austin, Texas. The
event, which promotes green energy and energy-efficient technologies,
will feature seminars on creating a strategic energy plan, the
fundamentals of efficient lighting, and high-performance green
buildings. WEEC also serves as the annual convention of the Association
of Energy Engineers, which sponsors a golf tournament to benefit its
foundation scholarship fund. To register, visit The
Association of Engery Engineers' Web site.
NECA Convention
and
Trade Show
NECA 2005 is slated for Sept. 16-20 in New Orleans.
"Dilbert" cartoonist, Scott Adams, is scheduled to speak at the
convention's opening general session. This year's trade show includes
electrical technical workshops, the conference on integrated building
systems, and the conference on lighting education. For a complete
schedule and information on registering, visit NECA's Web
site.
EGSA 2005 Fall
Technical and Marketing Conference
The EGSA 2005 Fall Technical and Marketing Conference
will take place in Williamsburg, Va., Sept. 18-20. Scheduled session
topics include "The Next Generation in Surge Suppression," "On-Site
Power & the Environment," and "Hey Dude! Managing the Generations in
Today's Workplace," among others. Other activities include the EGSA
golf
tournament, the Manufacturers Showcase, and tours to the Jamestown
Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg. To register, visit EGSA's Web
site.
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