# By Chuck Squatriglia Email Author
# March 30, 2010 |
# 11:00 am
Read More http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/nissan-leaf-ev-price/#ixzz0jig7ncmz
Autopia Planes, Trains, Automobiles and the Future of Transportation
Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Is Surprisingly Affordable
* By Chuck Squatriglia Email Author
* March 30, 2010 |
* 11:00 am |
* Categories: EVs and Hybrids, Miscellaneous
*
nissan_leaf
Sit down and take a deep breath, EV fans. The Nissan Leaf electric car will cost $32,780 when it rolls into showrooms in December. Add in the federal EV tax credit, and the bottom line is $25,280, a price that makes the Leaf competitive with the Honda Civic and the Toyota Prius.
Nissan announced the price today and said it starts taking reservations for the Leaf electric car April 20. The five-passenger hatchback sports a 23 kilowatt-hour lithium-manganese battery that’s good for a claimed 100 miles and recharges in eight hours. The Japanese automaker plans to crank out 50,000 Leafs in 2011. With some 85,000 “hand-raisers” expressing interest in getting one, some EV advocates believe Nissan’s priced the car so competitively it could have trouble meeting demand.
“I think it’s an excellent price,” said Paul Scott, a founder and board member of the EV advocacy group Plug-In America. “I think Nissan is going to have a hard time keeping them on the showroom floor, especially in states that have additional tax credits. In California, it’s going to be a hell of a bargain at $20,028. They’ve really nailed it. It’s very, very affordable.”
We must note that these prices are for the United States only, and Nissan is offering the Leaf for sale or lease only as a complete package. It is not leasing the battery separately from the car here in the United States, though it might do so elsewhere.
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been among the loudest EV evangelists and is determined to make Nissan a player in the field. The company almost certainly is taking a loss on the Leaf, just as Toyota did with the Prius, in a bid to grab as big a chunk of the market as possible before cars like the Chevrolet Volt and Ford Focus EV appear, Scott said.
“They’re probably banking on battery costs coming down,” Scott said. “And they will come down.”
MSRP is but one part of the equation. Operating cost is the other variable, and on that score Honda and Toyota should be worried. Nissan’s priced the Leaf cheaper than the Civic and Prius once you’ve figured in energy costs.
“Lifecycle ownership costs of the Leaf over five years is $28,180 versus a Civic at $28,338 and the Prius at $29,358,” said Trisha Jung, chief marketing manager for the Leaf. “That’s the cost of the vehicle, the cost of the charging station and the cost of the electricity.”
nissan_leafA word on the math: Nissan figured electricity costs at 11.64 cents per kilowatt-hour and gasoline at $2.94 a gallon and assumes you drive 12,000 miles a year. The purchase price come down further if you include the tax credits or rebates several states offer. California and Georgia, for example, offer a $5,000 tax credit.
Nissan says the numbers work out in the Leaf’s favor if you lease one, too. Although Nissan gets the federal EV tax credit because it actually owns the car, it will pass it along to consumers as an incentive. Sign a 36-month lease and put $1,999 down, and your monthly payment will be $349.
“If you include the energy costs, it works out to $408 a month for the Leaf, $414 a month for the Civic and $389 a month for the Prius,” Jung said.
That’s for the base “SL” model, which includes, among other features, a navigation system that identifies local charging stations and smartphone connectivity that lets you activate and monitor charging and other functions remotely. Another $940 gets you the “SL” model that adds, among other things, a backup camera and a solar panel on the rear spoiler that trickle-charges the battery running the radio and other accessories.
The 220-volt charging station you’ll need to keep the car going will cost you about $2,200, but that includes the installation. A federal tax credit will cover half the cost, said Dave Mingle, Nissan’s senior director for customer management and business strategy. Later this summer, customers who reserve a Leaf through the Leaf website can schedule an in-home assessment. EV infrastructure company Aerovironment will send an electrician to your house to provide an estimate, line up the permits and install the charger.
“We expect the average cost to be $2,200,” Mingle said. “That’s all in — it includes the charging station and full installation.”
If you live along the Interstate 5 corridor in Oregon or in Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix-Tuscon or east-central Tennessee, you could get a free charger. The Department of Energy has awarded Etec a grant to install as many as 1,200 charging stations in each of those five markets through a program called the EV Project. Of course, you’ll have to share your charging data with the the feds to help plan a broader charging infrastructure.
Nissan starts taking reservations for the Leaf on April 20. Paying $99 (refundable if you change your mind) buys you a place in line when Nissan starts building the cars in September. The first cars roll into showrooms in December and will be available in the five markets of the EV Project plus the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Nissan plans to offer the car nationwide by the end of 2011.
Still no word on what kind of warranty the car or the battery will have. Nissan promises to announce that before April 20.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
KBR Building
HOUSTON, Mar 29, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- KBR /quotes/comstock/13*!kbr/quotes/nls/kbr (KBR 22.24, +0.15, +0.68%) announced that its Building Group has been awarded a contract to provide construction services for the Visitor's and Undergraduate Admissions Center at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia. Construction is under way and is slated for completion by June 2011.
The freestanding two-story, 18,125-square-foot building will include public spaces (including reception area and exhibits), as well as assembly rooms, undergraduate admissions offices and staff support areas. Site work will include a new entry road, arrival and drop off areas, parking lot, service area, the building's main terrace and pedestrian walkways. Glave & Holmes Associates is the architect of record.
"The selection of the Building Group for this project is testament to our capabilities in the higher education construction sector," said Luther Cochrane, Senior Vice President, KBR and Chairman of the Building Group. "The Building Group is proud to be a part of this important addition to the Virginia Tech campus."
KBR is a global engineering, construction and services company supporting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services, minerals, civil infrastructure, power and industrial markets. The Building Group is the commercial construction subsidiary of KBR with a particular focus on healthcare, manufacturing and industrial, education, and life science projects. For more information, visit www.kbr.com.
SOURCE: KBR
KBR
Director, Communications
Heather Browne, 713-753-3775
heather.browne@kbr.com
or
Director, Investor Relations
The freestanding two-story, 18,125-square-foot building will include public spaces (including reception area and exhibits), as well as assembly rooms, undergraduate admissions offices and staff support areas. Site work will include a new entry road, arrival and drop off areas, parking lot, service area, the building's main terrace and pedestrian walkways. Glave & Holmes Associates is the architect of record.
"The selection of the Building Group for this project is testament to our capabilities in the higher education construction sector," said Luther Cochrane, Senior Vice President, KBR and Chairman of the Building Group. "The Building Group is proud to be a part of this important addition to the Virginia Tech campus."
KBR is a global engineering, construction and services company supporting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services, minerals, civil infrastructure, power and industrial markets. The Building Group is the commercial construction subsidiary of KBR with a particular focus on healthcare, manufacturing and industrial, education, and life science projects. For more information, visit www.kbr.com.
SOURCE: KBR
KBR
Director, Communications
Heather Browne, 713-753-3775
heather.browne@kbr.com
or
Director, Investor Relations
Monday, March 29, 2010
China is the Big Builder
By Rose Yu
Dow Jones Newswires
SHANGHAI -(Dow Jones)- China Construction Bank Corp. (CICHY, 0939.HK), the nation's second-largest lender by assets, said Sunday it aims to increase its yuan-denominated loans by 17% this year.
The bank said its gross loans and advances to customers, including local currency- and foreign currency-denominated loans, rose 27% last year to CNY4.8 trillion. But it didn't give the breakdown for its credit structure.
Copyright © 2009 Dow Jones Newswires
Dow Jones Newswires
SHANGHAI -(Dow Jones)- China Construction Bank Corp. (CICHY, 0939.HK), the nation's second-largest lender by assets, said Sunday it aims to increase its yuan-denominated loans by 17% this year.
The bank said its gross loans and advances to customers, including local currency- and foreign currency-denominated loans, rose 27% last year to CNY4.8 trillion. But it didn't give the breakdown for its credit structure.
Copyright © 2009 Dow Jones Newswires
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Australia Electricians Sound the Warning
EXPERIENCED electricians fear some homes will be left as time bombs with metal staples near live wires due to the challenge of removing insulation foil.
Master Electricians Australia chief executive Malcolm Richards urged homeowners, unless they suspected a major safety risk, to wait until the Federal Government announced further details on installing safety switches in homes.
"It's very hard to find and remove every last bit of foil. When you pick up the foil, it does rip and some staples remain behind. There's a lot of dark places in ceilings. You only need one staple poking out," Mr Richards said.
Homeowners needed to understand it would take two electricians up to three hours to complete a proper safety check, he said.
A Brisbane electrician predicts some contractors will rush the testing of homes or prey on the fears of home owners by quoting repairs that are not needed."There will be rorting of this. There are dodgy sparkies out there just like there are dodgy people everywhere in the building industry," he said.
"You can do a test on a house and find out an issue in five minutes. It will be like the foil – $400 is good money."
The MEA has made six complaints about insulation companies offering to sell their lists of clients for $100 per property to electricians.
The Electrical Safety Office has also investigated the MEA's complaint about a Brisbane electrical company advertising to do safety checks only to find it did not have the appropriate licensing.
Mr Richards said his members were on the alert for dodgy operators and would not hesitate to dob them in to the authorities.
Gold Coast residents have complained to legitimate insulation companies about being hassled by call centres and door-to-door salesmen claiming they could fix their roofs.
Anne Nalder from Premium Insulations said her company had arranged for a free safety check from experienced electrical contractors Wickford only to have clients call back about continued harassment by "dodgy electricians".
"We've also had them say that people are turning up on their doorstep without any booking at all," Ms Nalder said.
"These people are saying, 'My visit is to do with the government program'.
"Again, the Government has opened the door for shonky operators."
Wickford general manager Rob Billing said more than 300 inspections had been done and problems were found at only a handful of sites.
Master Electricians Australia chief executive Malcolm Richards urged homeowners, unless they suspected a major safety risk, to wait until the Federal Government announced further details on installing safety switches in homes.
"It's very hard to find and remove every last bit of foil. When you pick up the foil, it does rip and some staples remain behind. There's a lot of dark places in ceilings. You only need one staple poking out," Mr Richards said.
Homeowners needed to understand it would take two electricians up to three hours to complete a proper safety check, he said.
A Brisbane electrician predicts some contractors will rush the testing of homes or prey on the fears of home owners by quoting repairs that are not needed."There will be rorting of this. There are dodgy sparkies out there just like there are dodgy people everywhere in the building industry," he said.
"You can do a test on a house and find out an issue in five minutes. It will be like the foil – $400 is good money."
The MEA has made six complaints about insulation companies offering to sell their lists of clients for $100 per property to electricians.
The Electrical Safety Office has also investigated the MEA's complaint about a Brisbane electrical company advertising to do safety checks only to find it did not have the appropriate licensing.
Mr Richards said his members were on the alert for dodgy operators and would not hesitate to dob them in to the authorities.
Gold Coast residents have complained to legitimate insulation companies about being hassled by call centres and door-to-door salesmen claiming they could fix their roofs.
Anne Nalder from Premium Insulations said her company had arranged for a free safety check from experienced electrical contractors Wickford only to have clients call back about continued harassment by "dodgy electricians".
"We've also had them say that people are turning up on their doorstep without any booking at all," Ms Nalder said.
"These people are saying, 'My visit is to do with the government program'.
"Again, the Government has opened the door for shonky operators."
Wickford general manager Rob Billing said more than 300 inspections had been done and problems were found at only a handful of sites.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Electricians and Solar Energy is a Fit
Massachusetts, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Last year a new ruling came down from the State Board of Electrical Examiners that stated only Massachusetts licensed electricians and registered apprentices can install solar. Seasoned solar installation veterans, some of whom have been putting solar energy on homes and businesses for 20 years, have recently been forced off the roof. Now a battle is brewing in Boston over who should be allowed to perform solar installations.
In the past solar integrators and electricians shared installation jobs, with electricians pulling the wire permits and completing all of the hard wiring on solar jobs. Wiring represents about 10-20% of a solar installation, according to estimates.
Under the new ruling, electricians must be on the job from start to finish and must perform (or help to perform) all aspects of the install, including pouring concrete for ground-mounted systems or putting up racking on the roof.
It’s an important issue in Massachusetts because of Governor Patrick’s interest in aggressively expanding solar energy in the state. His Commonwealth Solar Program has attracted numerous solar energy companies to set up shop in Massachusetts and analysts are predicting that with the state’s newly created SREC market, it will start to rival New Jersey, the second largest solar market in the U.S.
Companies like Borrego Solar, Alteris Renewables and Nexamp have seen solar sales increasing in the state, and electricians see the burgeoning solar industry as an opportunity to create new work.
With so many Americans unemployed right now, and the Massachusetts construction industry experiencing up to 25% unemployment since the recession started in 2008, it’s not surprising that Massachusetts’s electricians are looking to the solar industry.
“We’ve lost jobs just like all the other trades,” said Martin Aikens, a Business Agent of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103, in a conference session during the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) Building Energy 10 conference in Boston. The conference session was entitled, “The Great Solar Certification Divide,” and included a panel of solar integrators and electricians.
In the conference session, Aikens explained that the issue is safety. He said that electricians go to school for four years and put in 8,000 hours of training before becoming licensed. “If you’re not qualified to install then you’re going to die. This is what it's all about — licenses,” he said.
Chris Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS), a solar firm based in Adams, Massachusetts, doesn’t think it’s that cut and dry. He said that more than 11 MW of PV have been installed safely and properly under the Commonwealth Solar Program, which requires inspection and proper licensure in order for rebates to be doled out. Kilfoyle is not aware of any safety issues having occurred in the past.
"Certainly nothing that was brought to the attention of the state board of electrical examiners or to the Commonwealth Solar Program,” he said.
Before the new ruling, said Kilfoyle, safety was maintained by all the various trades involved in solar installations. “So, if you’re a general contractor, your workers will have been OSHEA certified, they are wearing proper safety gear when they are working on a roof.”
Building contractors — who are responsible for pulling building permits — would ensure that panels were mounted correctly and look at issues such as properly attached mounts, using the right screws and sealing them properly.
"Those all come under the purview of the building code,” he said.
Integrators like Kilfoyle and John Abrams, President and CEO of South Mountain Company, maintain that the new ruling now requires electricians to do some of the tasks that they are not trained to do. “They can’t stand going up on the roof,” said Abrams, who’s design/build firm is located on Martha’s Vineyard. But now electricians are helping with those tasks because that’s what the ruling dictates.
In addition, Kilfoyle pointed out that NABCEP certification, the industry standard for solar installers, is voluntary in Massachusetts. “But if you examine who the 30 NABCEP-certified installers are, they are not electricians,” he said. “NABCEP is the only course of study and the only credential that really covers both the mechanical/structural work involved in PV systems as well as the nuances of electrical work,” he said.
But if electricians haven’t been pulled onto job sites to make them safer, then what is the rationale behind the ruling? Neither the State Board of Electrical Examiners nor the IBEW was available for comment, but Kilfoyle believes the issue comes down to the economy. “It’s really an issue of a downturn in construction jobs and this particular electrical union saying ‘gosh, look at all this money coming into the state for renewable energy, we want it all,’” he said.
Enter HR4180
New legislation has been introduced in Massachusetts that solar integrators hope will resolve the problem. HR4180 asks the state to create a new solar license classification that falls under a specialty construction supervisor license.
Under HR4180, solar licensees would have NABCEP expertise “for roof loading, snow loading, wind loading particular to Massachusetts, structural attachment and waterproofing,” said Kilfoyle. Job site organization, safety matters and issues related to system design, orientation, shading and production would also be required knowledge.
Supporters believe that HR4180 would send a clear signal to the organizers of green workforce training efforts underway at Massachusetts’s community colleges and technical schools, providing trainees with a career path they could pursue. While it might take someone 8,000 hours to become an electrician, pursuing a Solar PV license would be much faster, according to Kilfoyle.
If the legislation passes, Kilfoyle hopes the status quo in Massachusetts will be restored, with electricians pulling the wire permits and doing the hard wiring and solar integrators performing the remainder of the tasks. He said that integrators are prepared to keep focused on the issue should the bill fail.
In the meantime, some solar companies are becoming electrical contracting companies in order to comply with the ruling. Others are fighting it on a case-by-case basis.
Kilfoyle encourages solar companies in other states to stay on top of their local electrician boards and urges them to work toward PV licensure. Installing PV “is a specialty technical skill,” and requiring a solar license is in everyone’s best interest in order to ensure it's done correctly, he said.
“We want to make sure that the consumer has full trust in what we are doing,” he said.
Last year a new ruling came down from the State Board of Electrical Examiners that stated only Massachusetts licensed electricians and registered apprentices can install solar. Seasoned solar installation veterans, some of whom have been putting solar energy on homes and businesses for 20 years, have recently been forced off the roof. Now a battle is brewing in Boston over who should be allowed to perform solar installations.
In the past solar integrators and electricians shared installation jobs, with electricians pulling the wire permits and completing all of the hard wiring on solar jobs. Wiring represents about 10-20% of a solar installation, according to estimates.
Under the new ruling, electricians must be on the job from start to finish and must perform (or help to perform) all aspects of the install, including pouring concrete for ground-mounted systems or putting up racking on the roof.
It’s an important issue in Massachusetts because of Governor Patrick’s interest in aggressively expanding solar energy in the state. His Commonwealth Solar Program has attracted numerous solar energy companies to set up shop in Massachusetts and analysts are predicting that with the state’s newly created SREC market, it will start to rival New Jersey, the second largest solar market in the U.S.
Companies like Borrego Solar, Alteris Renewables and Nexamp have seen solar sales increasing in the state, and electricians see the burgeoning solar industry as an opportunity to create new work.
With so many Americans unemployed right now, and the Massachusetts construction industry experiencing up to 25% unemployment since the recession started in 2008, it’s not surprising that Massachusetts’s electricians are looking to the solar industry.
“We’ve lost jobs just like all the other trades,” said Martin Aikens, a Business Agent of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103, in a conference session during the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s (NESEA) Building Energy 10 conference in Boston. The conference session was entitled, “The Great Solar Certification Divide,” and included a panel of solar integrators and electricians.
In the conference session, Aikens explained that the issue is safety. He said that electricians go to school for four years and put in 8,000 hours of training before becoming licensed. “If you’re not qualified to install then you’re going to die. This is what it's all about — licenses,” he said.
Chris Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS), a solar firm based in Adams, Massachusetts, doesn’t think it’s that cut and dry. He said that more than 11 MW of PV have been installed safely and properly under the Commonwealth Solar Program, which requires inspection and proper licensure in order for rebates to be doled out. Kilfoyle is not aware of any safety issues having occurred in the past.
"Certainly nothing that was brought to the attention of the state board of electrical examiners or to the Commonwealth Solar Program,” he said.
Before the new ruling, said Kilfoyle, safety was maintained by all the various trades involved in solar installations. “So, if you’re a general contractor, your workers will have been OSHEA certified, they are wearing proper safety gear when they are working on a roof.”
Building contractors — who are responsible for pulling building permits — would ensure that panels were mounted correctly and look at issues such as properly attached mounts, using the right screws and sealing them properly.
"Those all come under the purview of the building code,” he said.
Integrators like Kilfoyle and John Abrams, President and CEO of South Mountain Company, maintain that the new ruling now requires electricians to do some of the tasks that they are not trained to do. “They can’t stand going up on the roof,” said Abrams, who’s design/build firm is located on Martha’s Vineyard. But now electricians are helping with those tasks because that’s what the ruling dictates.
In addition, Kilfoyle pointed out that NABCEP certification, the industry standard for solar installers, is voluntary in Massachusetts. “But if you examine who the 30 NABCEP-certified installers are, they are not electricians,” he said. “NABCEP is the only course of study and the only credential that really covers both the mechanical/structural work involved in PV systems as well as the nuances of electrical work,” he said.
But if electricians haven’t been pulled onto job sites to make them safer, then what is the rationale behind the ruling? Neither the State Board of Electrical Examiners nor the IBEW was available for comment, but Kilfoyle believes the issue comes down to the economy. “It’s really an issue of a downturn in construction jobs and this particular electrical union saying ‘gosh, look at all this money coming into the state for renewable energy, we want it all,’” he said.
Enter HR4180
New legislation has been introduced in Massachusetts that solar integrators hope will resolve the problem. HR4180 asks the state to create a new solar license classification that falls under a specialty construction supervisor license.
Under HR4180, solar licensees would have NABCEP expertise “for roof loading, snow loading, wind loading particular to Massachusetts, structural attachment and waterproofing,” said Kilfoyle. Job site organization, safety matters and issues related to system design, orientation, shading and production would also be required knowledge.
Supporters believe that HR4180 would send a clear signal to the organizers of green workforce training efforts underway at Massachusetts’s community colleges and technical schools, providing trainees with a career path they could pursue. While it might take someone 8,000 hours to become an electrician, pursuing a Solar PV license would be much faster, according to Kilfoyle.
If the legislation passes, Kilfoyle hopes the status quo in Massachusetts will be restored, with electricians pulling the wire permits and doing the hard wiring and solar integrators performing the remainder of the tasks. He said that integrators are prepared to keep focused on the issue should the bill fail.
In the meantime, some solar companies are becoming electrical contracting companies in order to comply with the ruling. Others are fighting it on a case-by-case basis.
Kilfoyle encourages solar companies in other states to stay on top of their local electrician boards and urges them to work toward PV licensure. Installing PV “is a specialty technical skill,” and requiring a solar license is in everyone’s best interest in order to ensure it's done correctly, he said.
“We want to make sure that the consumer has full trust in what we are doing,” he said.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Electricians Doing Construction Work
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Mar 24, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Seacliff Construction Corp. ("Seacliff" or "the company") /quotes/comstock/11t!sdc (CA:SDC 13.99, -0.29, -2.03%) , one of the largest and most diversified construction companies in Western Canada, today filed with Canadian securities authorities its audited consolidated annual financial statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Annual Information Form (AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2009.
On March 4, 2010, Seacliff reported its unaudited financial results for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2009. Subsequently, the audit of Seacliff's 2009 consolidated financial statements was completed and certain minor reclassifications were made to the company's Audited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Copies of Seacliff's 2009 audited consolidated financial statements, MD&A and AIF are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, via Seacliff's website at www.seacliffconstruction.ca or by emailing Seacliff at info@seacliffconstruction.ca.
About Seacliff Construction Corp.
Seacliff provides general contracting construction services, electrical contracting and earthmoving services to a wide array of clients in both the public and private sectors, with a majority of its business derived from institutional, commercial, civil and light industrial construction projects. Seacliff is headquartered in Vancouver, BC and operates 22 locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as two locations in Northwestern Ontario. Seacliff's business is conducted through three business units: Dominion Construction, a general contractor; Canem Systems, an electrical contractor and the Broda Construction Group, a Saskatchewan-based earthmoving and heavy civil construction contractor.
Advisories
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements concerning Seacliff's services, use of funds, business plan, and objectives. Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, other expectations, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information or statements about future events or conditions may constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the successful implementation of Seacliff's business plan, the availability to Seacliff of qualified personnel, the continuation and completion of the projects forming Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, and general economic, business and market conditions. Although Seacliff believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Seacliff can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements are based on the Corporation's current expectations, estimates and projections, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, Seacliff's ability to be retained for existing and new project work by existing and new clients, Seacliff's ability to retain and hire the qualified personnel required, the delay or cancellation of projects forming Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, general economic, business and market conditions, and other risks as are detailed from time to time in the continuous disclosure filings of Seacliff. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Seacliff assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable laws.
On March 4, 2010, Seacliff reported its unaudited financial results for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2009. Subsequently, the audit of Seacliff's 2009 consolidated financial statements was completed and certain minor reclassifications were made to the company's Audited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Copies of Seacliff's 2009 audited consolidated financial statements, MD&A and AIF are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, via Seacliff's website at www.seacliffconstruction.ca or by emailing Seacliff at info@seacliffconstruction.ca.
About Seacliff Construction Corp.
Seacliff provides general contracting construction services, electrical contracting and earthmoving services to a wide array of clients in both the public and private sectors, with a majority of its business derived from institutional, commercial, civil and light industrial construction projects. Seacliff is headquartered in Vancouver, BC and operates 22 locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as two locations in Northwestern Ontario. Seacliff's business is conducted through three business units: Dominion Construction, a general contractor; Canem Systems, an electrical contractor and the Broda Construction Group, a Saskatchewan-based earthmoving and heavy civil construction contractor.
Advisories
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements concerning Seacliff's services, use of funds, business plan, and objectives. Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, other expectations, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions, information or statements about future events or conditions may constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the successful implementation of Seacliff's business plan, the availability to Seacliff of qualified personnel, the continuation and completion of the projects forming Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, and general economic, business and market conditions. Although Seacliff believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Seacliff can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements are based on the Corporation's current expectations, estimates and projections, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, Seacliff's ability to be retained for existing and new project work by existing and new clients, Seacliff's ability to retain and hire the qualified personnel required, the delay or cancellation of projects forming Seacliff's Total Work on Hand, general economic, business and market conditions, and other risks as are detailed from time to time in the continuous disclosure filings of Seacliff. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Seacliff assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by applicable laws.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Solar Panel Technology of Interest to Electricians
Mar 23, 2010
Energy giant converts oil refinery to innovative solar panel facility
The Chevron test project includes 7,700 solar panels, with the facility on track to generate 740 kilowatts of electricity. Chevron received the solar technologies to test from seven companies, and these companies were selected from a initial pool of 180 solar companies. The solar companies are based in the US, Germany, and Japan. The Brightfield project is expected to go for 3 years, and Chevron will decide at that point which technologies will be integrated into its facilities. In exchange for the use and testing of its technologies, the solar companies will receive data about their technology, including how it performs under various weather conditions, and how it compares to other solar technologies.
Energy giant converts oil refinery to innovative solar panel facility
The Chevron test project includes 7,700 solar panels, with the facility on track to generate 740 kilowatts of electricity. Chevron received the solar technologies to test from seven companies, and these companies were selected from a initial pool of 180 solar companies. The solar companies are based in the US, Germany, and Japan. The Brightfield project is expected to go for 3 years, and Chevron will decide at that point which technologies will be integrated into its facilities. In exchange for the use and testing of its technologies, the solar companies will receive data about their technology, including how it performs under various weather conditions, and how it compares to other solar technologies.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Power Back On Minivale
Western Power has been able to restore power to nearly 100,000 customers affected by yesterday lightning storm however a significant number of customers, 64,000, are still without power.
All planned work has been cancelled, contract crews have been called in and Horizon Power have sent available crews to assist in the restoration effort.
Western Power expects to get the vast majority of customers back on this evening however there will be customers without power for a number of days while the damage is cleaned up.
Western Power is currently attending to 110 powerlines on the ground and over 350 hazards, restoration work is carrying on in parallell with this work.
Western Power is asking that customers to only call its fault line, 13 13 51, if they are reporting a hazard like powerlines down or any other electrical hazards.
If your property has water ingress particularly into any electrical outlets including ceiling lights, do not use any appliances or other electrical equipment in your home and urgently contact an electrician to assess your property.
If you see any powerlines down, stay well clear and call Western Power on 13 13 51
Western Power has closed its 13 10 87 general enquiries number today to assist in answering fault calls, this is likely to be available tomorrow.
If your power is out for 12 hours or longer residential customers can apply for the $80 extended outage payment scheme. Please contact 13 10 87 tomorrow to have a form sent out to you or you can download a claim form from the website tomorrow.
This is one of the largest storms to have affected the South West electricity grid with 158,000 customers affected at the peak.
Western Power are also attending to a number of faults in the country areas namely in the Jurien, Three Springs, Minivale, Morra, Dalwalinu, Buntine and Wyalkatchem areas with a number of poles and wires down as a result of storm and lightning damage. Western Power expects significant delays in restoring power to some of these customers.
It has been difficult to get information from some areas as the mobile network is down.
Western Power expects to have power restored to Dalwalinu this evening, 5 poles were down. Minivale have 11 poles down, expect to have power restored by late this evening or first thing tomorrow morning.
All planned work has been cancelled, contract crews have been called in and Horizon Power have sent available crews to assist in the restoration effort.
Western Power expects to get the vast majority of customers back on this evening however there will be customers without power for a number of days while the damage is cleaned up.
Western Power is currently attending to 110 powerlines on the ground and over 350 hazards, restoration work is carrying on in parallell with this work.
Western Power is asking that customers to only call its fault line, 13 13 51, if they are reporting a hazard like powerlines down or any other electrical hazards.
If your property has water ingress particularly into any electrical outlets including ceiling lights, do not use any appliances or other electrical equipment in your home and urgently contact an electrician to assess your property.
If you see any powerlines down, stay well clear and call Western Power on 13 13 51
Western Power has closed its 13 10 87 general enquiries number today to assist in answering fault calls, this is likely to be available tomorrow.
If your power is out for 12 hours or longer residential customers can apply for the $80 extended outage payment scheme. Please contact 13 10 87 tomorrow to have a form sent out to you or you can download a claim form from the website tomorrow.
This is one of the largest storms to have affected the South West electricity grid with 158,000 customers affected at the peak.
Western Power are also attending to a number of faults in the country areas namely in the Jurien, Three Springs, Minivale, Morra, Dalwalinu, Buntine and Wyalkatchem areas with a number of poles and wires down as a result of storm and lightning damage. Western Power expects significant delays in restoring power to some of these customers.
It has been difficult to get information from some areas as the mobile network is down.
Western Power expects to have power restored to Dalwalinu this evening, 5 poles were down. Minivale have 11 poles down, expect to have power restored by late this evening or first thing tomorrow morning.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Electricians Hired in Peru
By Jeff Dankert
perureporter@newstrib.com
James Hardie Building Products in Peru is hiring to ramp up production.
“We have been hiring, actually, all year, due to the demand for our products,” said Dan Rizzi, human resources manager.
“We are ramping up and hiring,” he said. “It’s a general hire. We haven’t laid anybody off in this plant for over three years.”
The plant laid off workers in November 2006 and Jan 2007, Rizzi said. New hires now are not rehires of workers laid off then, he said.
The plant did not halt operations, but because of the economic downturn, slowed some operations, Rizzi said.
perureporter@newstrib.com
James Hardie Building Products in Peru is hiring to ramp up production.
“We have been hiring, actually, all year, due to the demand for our products,” said Dan Rizzi, human resources manager.
“We are ramping up and hiring,” he said. “It’s a general hire. We haven’t laid anybody off in this plant for over three years.”
The plant laid off workers in November 2006 and Jan 2007, Rizzi said. New hires now are not rehires of workers laid off then, he said.
The plant did not halt operations, but because of the economic downturn, slowed some operations, Rizzi said.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Canadian Electricians are Tough
Les Perreaux
Montreal — From Saturday's Globe and Mail Published on Friday, Mar. 19, 2010 11:37PM EDT Last updated on Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010 4:55PM EDT
They were electricians working on routine store renovations when suddenly they were caught in the middle of a gangland hit.
The men were on a job at the Old Montreal clothing boutique where four men were gunned down on Thursday. Two of the shooting victims died.
A junior electrician working in a back office was shot in the face and is in serious condition in hospital. The 31-year-old man had the misfortune of standing in the open when the gunmen arrived. The more senior worker was on the sales floor, dived for cover behind furniture and escaped unhurt.
“He was right there, but they didn't see me … he was where the action was, so they saw him and he got shot. I was scared shitless,” said the older man, a married father and grandfather.
“I was trying not to be seen and I didn't want to see … I didn't want to get shot, you know. We were just electricians in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The senior man called 911 for his junior worker, whom he described as a serious young man who was always on time and didn't drink or do drugs. The junior employee has no wife or children, he said.
“I thought he could work for me forever,” the man said.
The brazen shooting at the i Flawnego boutique targeted a shop owned by a man identified as Ducarme Joseph, a 41-year-old with known gang ties and a long, violent criminal history. The electrician said Mr. Joseph escaped, apparently unhurt. One of the dead men, 27-year-old Peter Christopoulos, was reportedly Mr. Joseph's bodyguard. Mr. Joseph was arrested yesterday on a charge of violating bail conditions.
The senior electrician, who asked that his identity be withheld to prevent reprisals, spent hours telling his story to police. He says he was unable to identify the two attackers. Other witnesses described them as black men who wore wigs and white bandanas during the attack and walked calmly away from the scene of the crime, peeling off their disguises.
Police say the shootings were a professional hit. The case was quickly classified as organized crime infighting or retribution.
Mr. Joseph's name is found in a series of search warrants and other court documents describing him as a drug dealer, loan enforcer with an entourage of bodyguards. Police say he feared retaliation from Arab and Italian mobsters, and motorcycle and street gangs.
Gang experts theorize that the shootings were linked to the December murder of Nicolo (Nick) Rizzuto, the son of the reputed Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto.
Quebec's most famous crime chronicler, Claude Poirier, spoke yesterday of mob bounties exceeding $100,000 for Mr. Rizzuto's killers.
Montreal — From Saturday's Globe and Mail Published on Friday, Mar. 19, 2010 11:37PM EDT Last updated on Saturday, Mar. 20, 2010 4:55PM EDT
They were electricians working on routine store renovations when suddenly they were caught in the middle of a gangland hit.
The men were on a job at the Old Montreal clothing boutique where four men were gunned down on Thursday. Two of the shooting victims died.
A junior electrician working in a back office was shot in the face and is in serious condition in hospital. The 31-year-old man had the misfortune of standing in the open when the gunmen arrived. The more senior worker was on the sales floor, dived for cover behind furniture and escaped unhurt.
“He was right there, but they didn't see me … he was where the action was, so they saw him and he got shot. I was scared shitless,” said the older man, a married father and grandfather.
“I was trying not to be seen and I didn't want to see … I didn't want to get shot, you know. We were just electricians in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The senior man called 911 for his junior worker, whom he described as a serious young man who was always on time and didn't drink or do drugs. The junior employee has no wife or children, he said.
“I thought he could work for me forever,” the man said.
The brazen shooting at the i Flawnego boutique targeted a shop owned by a man identified as Ducarme Joseph, a 41-year-old with known gang ties and a long, violent criminal history. The electrician said Mr. Joseph escaped, apparently unhurt. One of the dead men, 27-year-old Peter Christopoulos, was reportedly Mr. Joseph's bodyguard. Mr. Joseph was arrested yesterday on a charge of violating bail conditions.
The senior electrician, who asked that his identity be withheld to prevent reprisals, spent hours telling his story to police. He says he was unable to identify the two attackers. Other witnesses described them as black men who wore wigs and white bandanas during the attack and walked calmly away from the scene of the crime, peeling off their disguises.
Police say the shootings were a professional hit. The case was quickly classified as organized crime infighting or retribution.
Mr. Joseph's name is found in a series of search warrants and other court documents describing him as a drug dealer, loan enforcer with an entourage of bodyguards. Police say he feared retaliation from Arab and Italian mobsters, and motorcycle and street gangs.
Gang experts theorize that the shootings were linked to the December murder of Nicolo (Nick) Rizzuto, the son of the reputed Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto.
Quebec's most famous crime chronicler, Claude Poirier, spoke yesterday of mob bounties exceeding $100,000 for Mr. Rizzuto's killers.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Study Study Study for Work
FOR local workers wondering what prospects a career in construction holds, 38-year-old Senthilkumar Karuppiah might well be the 10-year-series answer.
Originally a work permit holder from India who later became a Singapore citizen, he started out as an electrician in the mid-1990s with a monthly salary of just over $600.
Now, he is an assistant project engineer who supervises a team of up to 60 electricians. His pay has risen to around $3,500 a month.
Mr Senthilkumar attributes much of his success to relentless upgrading. He has attended part-time courses throughout his 14 years in the sector.
Within his first year of starting work, he signed up for part-time courses in electrical and computer engineering at the Institute of Technical Education.
He paid the fees, which amounted to around $400 every year, out of his own pocket.
He says: 'I knew if I didn't invest in and improve myself, I would not be able to get anywhere. I would always be just an electrician.'
He attended classes on Sundays as well as on weekday nights.
After five years, he started signing up for courses with the Building and Construction Authority. Not all were related to electrical work.
'I attended courses on how to build a scaffold because I felt I needed to know. Sometimes, when we do electrical fittings on the ceiling, we also use scaffolding,' he says.
The more he learnt, the higher he rose. He became a foreman and was later given larger and larger supervisory roles.
Mr Senthilkumar insists he will not stop until he reaches his ultimate goal of becoming a professional engineer with a degree.
Next month, he will take a significant step towards that goal, starting a three-year part-time course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic that will give him a diploma in technology (electrical).
The constant upgrading has helped him break out from the transient foreign worker mould and enabled him to clinch Singapore citizenship.
Today, he lives in a four-room HDB flat in Bedok with his wife from India and their child, who was born late last year. The child is a Singaporean.
Little surprise then that Mr Senthilkumar disagrees with the notion held by some locals that construction industry jobs are dead ends.
He feels the move by the Government to try and create clearer paths for locals in key construction trades is a step in the right direction.
'I think I've proved you can progress in this industry. It's hard work but you can have a good life. I want people to know that,' he says.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Originally a work permit holder from India who later became a Singapore citizen, he started out as an electrician in the mid-1990s with a monthly salary of just over $600.
Now, he is an assistant project engineer who supervises a team of up to 60 electricians. His pay has risen to around $3,500 a month.
Mr Senthilkumar attributes much of his success to relentless upgrading. He has attended part-time courses throughout his 14 years in the sector.
Within his first year of starting work, he signed up for part-time courses in electrical and computer engineering at the Institute of Technical Education.
He paid the fees, which amounted to around $400 every year, out of his own pocket.
He says: 'I knew if I didn't invest in and improve myself, I would not be able to get anywhere. I would always be just an electrician.'
He attended classes on Sundays as well as on weekday nights.
After five years, he started signing up for courses with the Building and Construction Authority. Not all were related to electrical work.
'I attended courses on how to build a scaffold because I felt I needed to know. Sometimes, when we do electrical fittings on the ceiling, we also use scaffolding,' he says.
The more he learnt, the higher he rose. He became a foreman and was later given larger and larger supervisory roles.
Mr Senthilkumar insists he will not stop until he reaches his ultimate goal of becoming a professional engineer with a degree.
Next month, he will take a significant step towards that goal, starting a three-year part-time course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic that will give him a diploma in technology (electrical).
The constant upgrading has helped him break out from the transient foreign worker mould and enabled him to clinch Singapore citizenship.
Today, he lives in a four-room HDB flat in Bedok with his wife from India and their child, who was born late last year. The child is a Singaporean.
Little surprise then that Mr Senthilkumar disagrees with the notion held by some locals that construction industry jobs are dead ends.
He feels the move by the Government to try and create clearer paths for locals in key construction trades is a step in the right direction.
'I think I've proved you can progress in this industry. It's hard work but you can have a good life. I want people to know that,' he says.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Old Versus New at GM
As General Motors Co. gears up to add a third shift at its Allen County assembly plant in April, up to 19 Fort Wayne electricians might be bumped onto the production floor.
The workers would be transferred to make room for more senior electricians from Pontiac, Mich.
Union officials are trying to persuade GM to keep all the employees working as electricians, said Orval Plumlee, president of United Auto Workers Local 2209, which represents workers at the plant.
A provision in the UAW contract with GM allows workers at GM’s plant in Pontiac, which closed last year, to bump less-senior workers in Fort Wayne because trucks that were made in Pontiac will now be built in Fort Wayne. Workers in other positions don’t stand to be bumped because enough openings will be created by the new shift to accommodate Pontiac workers who want to make the move, Plumlee said.
Being bumped from electrician to production worker would mean a decrease in pay, but Plumlee declined to say how much. Electricians should know within weeks whether they’re being bumped, Plumlee said.
Germany’s Siemens to cut 4,200 jobs
German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Thursday it will cut 4,200 jobs worldwide at its information technology unit as it restructures the business.
The company wants to put Siemens IT Solutions and Services, or SIS, “on a solid long-term foundation,” acting Chief Executive Christian Oecking said.
The plan calls for the job cuts – out of a current workforce of 35,000 – to be made by 2011, Siemens said in a statement. About 2,000 of the job cuts will come in Germany.
The company “will exhaust all possibilities for voluntary measures” and will immediately open consultations with employee representatives, Siemens said. It added that it hopes to achieve some of the cuts by not renewing temporary contracts.
Regional program aims to retain jobs
The Northeast Indiana Foundation on Thursday announced NE Insider, a program intended to keep jobs in the region and help employers to expand.
The mission of NE Insider will be to connect businesses with resources such as training grants, assistance with infrastructure improvements and zoning changes.
Economic development organizations in Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties will participate in the program.
Hooters employees cite work, wage issues
Three dozen current and former Hooters workers are suing over work and wage violations, saying they were forced to buy their own uniforms and work without pay.
Attorneys representing the former and current employees filed two lawsuits seeking class-action status Tuesday in Sacramento, Calif., and Los Angeles. They follow a lawsuit filed in San Francisco last year.
The plaintiffs say the Atlanta-based franchise required them to buy their own uniforms and work off the clock and failed to provide lunch breaks as required by law. The lawsuits say managers skimmed money from tips.
The national restaurant chain, which has a Fort Wayne location, did not immediately return an e-mailed request for comment Wednesday.
The workers would be transferred to make room for more senior electricians from Pontiac, Mich.
Union officials are trying to persuade GM to keep all the employees working as electricians, said Orval Plumlee, president of United Auto Workers Local 2209, which represents workers at the plant.
A provision in the UAW contract with GM allows workers at GM’s plant in Pontiac, which closed last year, to bump less-senior workers in Fort Wayne because trucks that were made in Pontiac will now be built in Fort Wayne. Workers in other positions don’t stand to be bumped because enough openings will be created by the new shift to accommodate Pontiac workers who want to make the move, Plumlee said.
Being bumped from electrician to production worker would mean a decrease in pay, but Plumlee declined to say how much. Electricians should know within weeks whether they’re being bumped, Plumlee said.
Germany’s Siemens to cut 4,200 jobs
German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Thursday it will cut 4,200 jobs worldwide at its information technology unit as it restructures the business.
The company wants to put Siemens IT Solutions and Services, or SIS, “on a solid long-term foundation,” acting Chief Executive Christian Oecking said.
The plan calls for the job cuts – out of a current workforce of 35,000 – to be made by 2011, Siemens said in a statement. About 2,000 of the job cuts will come in Germany.
The company “will exhaust all possibilities for voluntary measures” and will immediately open consultations with employee representatives, Siemens said. It added that it hopes to achieve some of the cuts by not renewing temporary contracts.
Regional program aims to retain jobs
The Northeast Indiana Foundation on Thursday announced NE Insider, a program intended to keep jobs in the region and help employers to expand.
The mission of NE Insider will be to connect businesses with resources such as training grants, assistance with infrastructure improvements and zoning changes.
Economic development organizations in Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties will participate in the program.
Hooters employees cite work, wage issues
Three dozen current and former Hooters workers are suing over work and wage violations, saying they were forced to buy their own uniforms and work without pay.
Attorneys representing the former and current employees filed two lawsuits seeking class-action status Tuesday in Sacramento, Calif., and Los Angeles. They follow a lawsuit filed in San Francisco last year.
The plaintiffs say the Atlanta-based franchise required them to buy their own uniforms and work off the clock and failed to provide lunch breaks as required by law. The lawsuits say managers skimmed money from tips.
The national restaurant chain, which has a Fort Wayne location, did not immediately return an e-mailed request for comment Wednesday.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Electricians Do It Right Down Under
by Jocelyn Watts
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2010/03/02/master-of-his-trade/
GEOFF Allen has joined an elite group of electricians.
He now has national status as a master of his trade, the highest level of professional accreditation for an electrical contractor.
Mr Allen, 30, who gained his qualification in the army, said that becoming a Master Electrician was a great honour for him personally and also for Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning.
“I’m proud that I’ve reached a pinnacle in my career,” he said.
“I’ve been an electrician since I was 17 years old and I’m very passionate about the trade. I was born and bred in Maryborough and I want to deliver the best possible customer service for people on the Fraser Coast.
“Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning is proud to be accredited as Master Electricians and we will work hard to maintain that status in the years ahead.”
Master Electricians CEO Malcolm Richards said the extensive selection criteria for accreditation ensured that only the finest members of the industry could achieve accreditation.
“To be considered a Master Electrician, contractors must agree to be audited annually for safety and quality, offer their customers a 12-month guarantee on workmanship, and adhere to a strict code of practice.
“Our members must also demonstrate they have a comprehensive safety management system in place to protect themselves and their customers.”
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2010/03/02/master-of-his-trade/
GEOFF Allen has joined an elite group of electricians.
He now has national status as a master of his trade, the highest level of professional accreditation for an electrical contractor.
Mr Allen, 30, who gained his qualification in the army, said that becoming a Master Electrician was a great honour for him personally and also for Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning.
“I’m proud that I’ve reached a pinnacle in my career,” he said.
“I’ve been an electrician since I was 17 years old and I’m very passionate about the trade. I was born and bred in Maryborough and I want to deliver the best possible customer service for people on the Fraser Coast.
“Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning is proud to be accredited as Master Electricians and we will work hard to maintain that status in the years ahead.”
Master Electricians CEO Malcolm Richards said the extensive selection criteria for accreditation ensured that only the finest members of the industry could achieve accreditation.
“To be considered a Master Electrician, contractors must agree to be audited annually for safety and quality, offer their customers a 12-month guarantee on workmanship, and adhere to a strict code of practice.
“Our members must also demonstrate they have a comprehensive safety management system in place to protect themselves and their customers.”
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Electricians Benefit in the UK
Britons who have completed an electrician training course could benefit from new financing that will provide a boost to construction developments of new and affordable homes.
Housing minister John Healey announced today (March 8th) that some £83 million is to be set aside for the Kickstart fund and HomeBuy scheme to get 5,700 stalled projects back on track and help people find their first homes.
Commenting on the news, Mr Healey said: "I'm allocating £83 million to get 87 stalled developments across the country up and running again, creating 1,700 jobs and giving more than 2,200 first-time buyers the chance to take an affordable step onto the property ladder."
Those who receive funding will be obliged to provide employment opportunities to local workers, which could leave many tradespersons with approved electrical qualifications with improved job prospects.
The Kickstart Housing Delivery Programme was announced in the 2009 Budget and is currently on its second round of funding.
Want to know more about our Electrical Courses from:http://www.ableskills.co.uk/electrical-courses.htm
Housing minister John Healey announced today (March 8th) that some £83 million is to be set aside for the Kickstart fund and HomeBuy scheme to get 5,700 stalled projects back on track and help people find their first homes.
Commenting on the news, Mr Healey said: "I'm allocating £83 million to get 87 stalled developments across the country up and running again, creating 1,700 jobs and giving more than 2,200 first-time buyers the chance to take an affordable step onto the property ladder."
Those who receive funding will be obliged to provide employment opportunities to local workers, which could leave many tradespersons with approved electrical qualifications with improved job prospects.
The Kickstart Housing Delivery Programme was announced in the 2009 Budget and is currently on its second round of funding.
Want to know more about our Electrical Courses from:http://www.ableskills.co.uk/electrical-courses.htm
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tennesee Electricians Have Money Coming In
By Associated Press
4:12 PM CDT, March 16, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. attorney's office says a government contractor has been ordered to pay $1.6 million for not paying electricians the required wages for work at the Fort Campbell Army post.
Prosecutors said Circle C Construction of Russellville, Ky., was ordered by U.S. District Judge William J. Haynes Jr. to pay the damages to the government.
Investigators said the company had agreed to pay its electrical workers a base hourly rate of $19.19 plus fringe benefits of $3.94 per hour, but Circle C only paid electricians between $12 and $16 per hour.
The order grew out of a 2008 lawsuit against Circle C and a subcontractor.
Prosecutors said Circle C has held government contracts for about 20 years.
4:12 PM CDT, March 16, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. attorney's office says a government contractor has been ordered to pay $1.6 million for not paying electricians the required wages for work at the Fort Campbell Army post.
Prosecutors said Circle C Construction of Russellville, Ky., was ordered by U.S. District Judge William J. Haynes Jr. to pay the damages to the government.
Investigators said the company had agreed to pay its electrical workers a base hourly rate of $19.19 plus fringe benefits of $3.94 per hour, but Circle C only paid electricians between $12 and $16 per hour.
The order grew out of a 2008 lawsuit against Circle C and a subcontractor.
Prosecutors said Circle C has held government contracts for about 20 years.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Insulation in Australian to be Taken Out
by Ben Packham
HE parents of a dead insulation installer have blamed Peter Garrett for their son's death.
In an emotional submission to an inquiry into the botched insulation scheme, Kevin and Christine Fuller also accused the Federal Government of failing to learn from their son's electrocution, allowing two other young installers to suffer the same fate.
Matthew Fuller, 25, died in Brisbane in October while installing foil insulation.
His parents accused the Environment Minister of poorly managing the $2.45 billion scheme, refusing to heed warnings and denying accountability for the deadly consequences.
"They ... wanted to do a good day's work for a fair day's pay - and the system killed them," they said.
As the Government prepares to launch a revised scheme, the Fullers said they were concerned safety problems would continue. They asked: "When the minister and his government department cannot acknowledge their previous errors, how can the Government be sure ... that all Australians will be safe with the new system?"
Last week the Government announced foil insulation would be removed from up to 50,000 homes; another 150,000 residences with ceiling batts would require safety checks.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said yesterday the cost of repairs would cut the number of people able to access the scheme which launches in July.
However, he also said the Government was determined to reopen it.
"There is an industry out there that has invested, there is an industry out there that has done the right thing and we think it's important to do the right thing by them," he said.
HE parents of a dead insulation installer have blamed Peter Garrett for their son's death.
In an emotional submission to an inquiry into the botched insulation scheme, Kevin and Christine Fuller also accused the Federal Government of failing to learn from their son's electrocution, allowing two other young installers to suffer the same fate.
Matthew Fuller, 25, died in Brisbane in October while installing foil insulation.
His parents accused the Environment Minister of poorly managing the $2.45 billion scheme, refusing to heed warnings and denying accountability for the deadly consequences.
"They ... wanted to do a good day's work for a fair day's pay - and the system killed them," they said.
As the Government prepares to launch a revised scheme, the Fullers said they were concerned safety problems would continue. They asked: "When the minister and his government department cannot acknowledge their previous errors, how can the Government be sure ... that all Australians will be safe with the new system?"
Last week the Government announced foil insulation would be removed from up to 50,000 homes; another 150,000 residences with ceiling batts would require safety checks.
Treasurer Wayne Swan said yesterday the cost of repairs would cut the number of people able to access the scheme which launches in July.
However, he also said the Government was determined to reopen it.
"There is an industry out there that has invested, there is an industry out there that has done the right thing and we think it's important to do the right thing by them," he said.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Electricians Head Down Under
NAMES and contact details of home owners who installed roof insulation under the failed $2.45 billion stimulus program are being bought and sold for up to $100 each by entrepreneurs who profited from the Rudd government scheme and are now cashing in on the clean-up operation.
The government has offered to pay for safety checks of all 50,300 homes fitted with foil insulation, after it was discovered inept installers had caused some roofs to become electrified.
Electricians can bill up to $400 for each safety check, or more if they can justify the expense.
Last week, the government said it would also pay to remove foil or fit safety switches in all 50,300 homes because of ongoing safety risks. Electricians can bill the government for this work, which is expected to cost up to $1000 a home.
Queenslander entrepreneur Luke Cleeve saw an opportunity in the insulation scheme and has since turned his sights on the government's safety inspection program.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage
* New twist in insulation fiasco Courier Mail, 4 days ago
* Foil to be pulled from 50,000 homes Adelaide Now, 4 days ago
* Combet to remove foil insulation The Australian, 4 days ago
* Combet to strip foil from 50,000 homes The Australian, 4 days ago
* Ease of rorts shocked insulation installers The Australian, 9 days ago
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Mr Cleeve has been offering installers $60 to $75 a name for their customer lists and then on-selling those details to electrical contractors. However, he said he believed there was nothing wrong with the practice.
"I saw an opportunity," he told The Australian.
"There's a need for these leads right now. I can't see anything illegal about obtaining a database."
Mr Cleeve set up an insulation business, Green Easy, last August. He began by importing insulation and selling it to installers, before branching out into arranging installations for homes.
The 30-year-old said he made a $40,000 loss after the scheme was suspended last month, leaving him with $180,000 of products.
He said he hoped to recoup some of those losses by acting as a "middle man" for electricians working to fix issues caused by inexperienced installers.
Mr Cleeve told one insulation installer his company could deliver as many as 1000 inspections a week but, yesterday, he told The Australian that figure was probably too high.
He said all the electricians to whom he sold the client lists were above board.
Greg Combet, the minister charged with responsibility for the insulation scheme after Environment Minister Peter Garrett was demoted, said yesterday he did not approve of operators buying and selling client lists. "The government does not support this," Mr Combet said.
"I have asked the department for advice about whether there are any privacy issues that need to be considered."
Mr Cleeve said he had legal advice that the practice did not breach privacy law.
Evidence of the practice came to light as it emerged that thousands of Australians who received free insulation could be left without home insurance.
The opposition has received complaints that insurance companies are refusing to offer policies to householders who obtained insulation unless their homes had passed a safety check.
The government has so far committed to inspecting only 150,000 homes with non-foil insulation. It has said it would inspect more of the 1.1 million homes insulated under its botched program, if necessary.
Shirley Mansell, 75, recently took advantage of the government's free offer to have the two homes on her rural property insulated with batts.
She told The Australian that when she tried to have the properties insured with the NRMA, including for fire, she was told she would either have to have a certificate signed by a qualified electrician, at her expense, that the insulation was safe or be subject to the government's proposed audit of at-risk homes.
She said that when she rang the government's hotline, she was told that only 15 per cent of homes would be subject to a random audit, meaning she could be left with an electrician's inspection bill. With her insurance up for renewal, Mrs Mansell said the NRMA told her it could not insure the two houses for fire as it would not cover the government-installed batts.
"I can't afford the cost of this inspection and I don't believe I should have to pay for an inspection of the batts when it's the government that's created the uncertainty which has caused insurance companies to demand inspections," she said.
Mrs Mansell said she rang the government hotline and was told that she was only one of so many in this exact position and that the department had applied for her to be on the list.
"I was told that that although I'm elderly, isolated, have medical problems -- I can't move too fast -- all the department could do was put me on a waiting list," she said.
A spokesman for the NRMA sad it was not the policy of the company to ask questions about the installation policy as part of any risk-assessment process. But he said he would have to check the details of the case today.
Revelations about the inspections came as the parents of Matthew Fuller, who was electrocuted while installing insulation, accused the government of gross mismanagement.
The government has offered to pay for safety checks of all 50,300 homes fitted with foil insulation, after it was discovered inept installers had caused some roofs to become electrified.
Electricians can bill up to $400 for each safety check, or more if they can justify the expense.
Last week, the government said it would also pay to remove foil or fit safety switches in all 50,300 homes because of ongoing safety risks. Electricians can bill the government for this work, which is expected to cost up to $1000 a home.
Queenslander entrepreneur Luke Cleeve saw an opportunity in the insulation scheme and has since turned his sights on the government's safety inspection program.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related Coverage
* New twist in insulation fiasco Courier Mail, 4 days ago
* Foil to be pulled from 50,000 homes Adelaide Now, 4 days ago
* Combet to remove foil insulation The Australian, 4 days ago
* Combet to strip foil from 50,000 homes The Australian, 4 days ago
* Ease of rorts shocked insulation installers The Australian, 9 days ago
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Mr Cleeve has been offering installers $60 to $75 a name for their customer lists and then on-selling those details to electrical contractors. However, he said he believed there was nothing wrong with the practice.
"I saw an opportunity," he told The Australian.
"There's a need for these leads right now. I can't see anything illegal about obtaining a database."
Mr Cleeve set up an insulation business, Green Easy, last August. He began by importing insulation and selling it to installers, before branching out into arranging installations for homes.
The 30-year-old said he made a $40,000 loss after the scheme was suspended last month, leaving him with $180,000 of products.
He said he hoped to recoup some of those losses by acting as a "middle man" for electricians working to fix issues caused by inexperienced installers.
Mr Cleeve told one insulation installer his company could deliver as many as 1000 inspections a week but, yesterday, he told The Australian that figure was probably too high.
He said all the electricians to whom he sold the client lists were above board.
Greg Combet, the minister charged with responsibility for the insulation scheme after Environment Minister Peter Garrett was demoted, said yesterday he did not approve of operators buying and selling client lists. "The government does not support this," Mr Combet said.
"I have asked the department for advice about whether there are any privacy issues that need to be considered."
Mr Cleeve said he had legal advice that the practice did not breach privacy law.
Evidence of the practice came to light as it emerged that thousands of Australians who received free insulation could be left without home insurance.
The opposition has received complaints that insurance companies are refusing to offer policies to householders who obtained insulation unless their homes had passed a safety check.
The government has so far committed to inspecting only 150,000 homes with non-foil insulation. It has said it would inspect more of the 1.1 million homes insulated under its botched program, if necessary.
Shirley Mansell, 75, recently took advantage of the government's free offer to have the two homes on her rural property insulated with batts.
She told The Australian that when she tried to have the properties insured with the NRMA, including for fire, she was told she would either have to have a certificate signed by a qualified electrician, at her expense, that the insulation was safe or be subject to the government's proposed audit of at-risk homes.
She said that when she rang the government's hotline, she was told that only 15 per cent of homes would be subject to a random audit, meaning she could be left with an electrician's inspection bill. With her insurance up for renewal, Mrs Mansell said the NRMA told her it could not insure the two houses for fire as it would not cover the government-installed batts.
"I can't afford the cost of this inspection and I don't believe I should have to pay for an inspection of the batts when it's the government that's created the uncertainty which has caused insurance companies to demand inspections," she said.
Mrs Mansell said she rang the government hotline and was told that she was only one of so many in this exact position and that the department had applied for her to be on the list.
"I was told that that although I'm elderly, isolated, have medical problems -- I can't move too fast -- all the department could do was put me on a waiting list," she said.
A spokesman for the NRMA sad it was not the policy of the company to ask questions about the installation policy as part of any risk-assessment process. But he said he would have to check the details of the case today.
Revelations about the inspections came as the parents of Matthew Fuller, who was electrocuted while installing insulation, accused the government of gross mismanagement.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Electricity is a Potent Force of Shock
By CLYNTON NAMUO
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
DOVER – Dover High School junior Kyle DuBois was going to play in a national hockey championship game today, but was so seriously shocked during an electrician class Thursday that he remained hospitalized in critical condition yesterday, his coach said.
DuBois played for the Eastern Kodiaks, a junior hockey team based in Exeter, and was scheduled to practice with the team Thursday, the first time he would have done so since ending his high school season last weekend, Kodiaks coach Wayne Sheehan said.
"He was supposed to play for us this weekend," he said. "We're playing for a national championship in Stoneham, Mass., this weekend, so we're going to miss him."
The team plays in the Super Elite Division of Independent Junior A Hockey, in the International Junior Hockey League, Sheehan said.
100313kyledubois_135px.jpg
Dover High School student Kyle DuBois is in a Boston hospital after being shocked Thursday at school.
DuBois was in a class that teaches students to be electricians and was working on an electrical panel when he was shocked. The jolt caused him to stop breathing, officials said, and his heart may have stopped.
Officials have said the electrical panel ran on a standard 120 volt current that had been scaled down.
Teacher Thomas Kelley performed CPR with the help of a school nurse and another teacher, Superintendent John O'Connor said previously. They resuscitated him, and his vital signs were good when he was taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, O'Connor said.
His condition appeared to be serious Thursday afternoon when he was taken via helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was in critical condition there yesterday, the hospital said.
Police are investigating precisely what happened and provided no new details yesterday.
Officers are interviewing students (there were about 14 in the class when DuBois was shocked) and have also spoken to Kelley, Lt. David Terlemezian said.
"We just continue to investigate in order to determine the best we can what happened," he said.
Sheehan said DuBois is well-liked.
"Kyle is a super young man," he said. "He's a kid that everybody in the locker room wanted to hang out with, outgoing, personable, a heck of a competitor and a great man off the ice."
Sheehan said Kyle has been a great athlete.
"In terms of playing for me, we try to get the kids in a position where they can go play college hockey," he said. "Kyle certainly had the talent."
Sheehan said everyone on the team is hoping Kyle will get better.
"You never had to tell Kyle to work hard," he said. "That determination is hopefully what will help him get through."
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
DOVER – Dover High School junior Kyle DuBois was going to play in a national hockey championship game today, but was so seriously shocked during an electrician class Thursday that he remained hospitalized in critical condition yesterday, his coach said.
DuBois played for the Eastern Kodiaks, a junior hockey team based in Exeter, and was scheduled to practice with the team Thursday, the first time he would have done so since ending his high school season last weekend, Kodiaks coach Wayne Sheehan said.
"He was supposed to play for us this weekend," he said. "We're playing for a national championship in Stoneham, Mass., this weekend, so we're going to miss him."
The team plays in the Super Elite Division of Independent Junior A Hockey, in the International Junior Hockey League, Sheehan said.
100313kyledubois_135px.jpg
Dover High School student Kyle DuBois is in a Boston hospital after being shocked Thursday at school.
DuBois was in a class that teaches students to be electricians and was working on an electrical panel when he was shocked. The jolt caused him to stop breathing, officials said, and his heart may have stopped.
Officials have said the electrical panel ran on a standard 120 volt current that had been scaled down.
Teacher Thomas Kelley performed CPR with the help of a school nurse and another teacher, Superintendent John O'Connor said previously. They resuscitated him, and his vital signs were good when he was taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, O'Connor said.
His condition appeared to be serious Thursday afternoon when he was taken via helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was in critical condition there yesterday, the hospital said.
Police are investigating precisely what happened and provided no new details yesterday.
Officers are interviewing students (there were about 14 in the class when DuBois was shocked) and have also spoken to Kelley, Lt. David Terlemezian said.
"We just continue to investigate in order to determine the best we can what happened," he said.
Sheehan said DuBois is well-liked.
"Kyle is a super young man," he said. "He's a kid that everybody in the locker room wanted to hang out with, outgoing, personable, a heck of a competitor and a great man off the ice."
Sheehan said Kyle has been a great athlete.
"In terms of playing for me, we try to get the kids in a position where they can go play college hockey," he said. "Kyle certainly had the talent."
Sheehan said everyone on the team is hoping Kyle will get better.
"You never had to tell Kyle to work hard," he said. "That determination is hopefully what will help him get through."
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Nuclear Power Plant Electrician in Great Britian Dies from Mesothelioma
The death of an electrician from mesothelioma is making headlines in Great Britain. An inquest has concluded that a British electrician who helped build a Nuclear Power Station in Gloucestershire died as a direct result of asbestos exposure. UK newspaper The Gazette reports that Gerald Brown, who died in November of mesothelioma, was an apprentice with NG Bailey of Yorkshire when the power station was built.
According to the results of the inquest, Brown died as a direct result of the large amount of asbestos used at the plant. Although he did not work directly with asbestos, Brown claims to have seen clouds of the mineral dust throughout the plant while he worked there and even remembered going home from work covered in the substance. Brown developed the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma – cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain – more than 30 years after his work exposure.
Brown’s is not an isolated case. Because electricians are often involved in the upgrading and renovation of older buildings, they are among the most likely workers to face asbestos exposure. Asbestos, the mineral fiber linked to a myriad of health risks including the cancer, mesothelioma, was used as an insulating material around wires and in many other building materials until the 1970’s due to its fire- and heat-resistant properties.
Asbestos is often found not only in electrical insulation products, but in the walls, floors ceilings and roofs of buildings being repaired or renovated, putting electricians at special risk. The process of wiring or rewiring buildings often requires these workers to crawl through, reach into, or otherwise disturb areas where asbestos is present. Before the dangers of asbestos were realized, hundreds of thousands of electricians, such as Brown, regularly worked around the substance without adequate protection causing them to be at risk for mesothelioma.
Asbestos-containing items with which electricians may come in contact include:
• Cement Siding
• Cement Wallboard
• Plaster
• Ceiling Tiles
• Electrical Panel Partitions
• Electric Wiring Insulation
• Thermal Paper Products
• High Temperature Gaskets
• Spackling Compounds
New products used by electricians no longer contain asbestos and those involved in renovation now know the importance of wearing protective gear.
Source:
“Electrician who helped build Berkeley Power Station died as a result of asbestos”, February 25, 1010. The Gazette.
© Surviving Mesothelioma and Cancer Monthly. All rights reserved.
According to the results of the inquest, Brown died as a direct result of the large amount of asbestos used at the plant. Although he did not work directly with asbestos, Brown claims to have seen clouds of the mineral dust throughout the plant while he worked there and even remembered going home from work covered in the substance. Brown developed the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma – cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain – more than 30 years after his work exposure.
Brown’s is not an isolated case. Because electricians are often involved in the upgrading and renovation of older buildings, they are among the most likely workers to face asbestos exposure. Asbestos, the mineral fiber linked to a myriad of health risks including the cancer, mesothelioma, was used as an insulating material around wires and in many other building materials until the 1970’s due to its fire- and heat-resistant properties.
Asbestos is often found not only in electrical insulation products, but in the walls, floors ceilings and roofs of buildings being repaired or renovated, putting electricians at special risk. The process of wiring or rewiring buildings often requires these workers to crawl through, reach into, or otherwise disturb areas where asbestos is present. Before the dangers of asbestos were realized, hundreds of thousands of electricians, such as Brown, regularly worked around the substance without adequate protection causing them to be at risk for mesothelioma.
Asbestos-containing items with which electricians may come in contact include:
• Cement Siding
• Cement Wallboard
• Plaster
• Ceiling Tiles
• Electrical Panel Partitions
• Electric Wiring Insulation
• Thermal Paper Products
• High Temperature Gaskets
• Spackling Compounds
New products used by electricians no longer contain asbestos and those involved in renovation now know the importance of wearing protective gear.
Source:
“Electrician who helped build Berkeley Power Station died as a result of asbestos”, February 25, 1010. The Gazette.
© Surviving Mesothelioma and Cancer Monthly. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Master Electrician at 30
GEOFF Allen has joined an elite group of electricians.
He now has national status as a master of his trade, the highest level of professional accreditation for an electrical contractor.
Mr Allen, 30, who gained his qualification in the army, said that becoming a Master Electrician was a great honour for him personally and also for Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning.
“I’m proud that I’ve reached a pinnacle in my career,” he said.
“I’ve been an electrician since I was 17 years old and I’m very passionate about the trade. I was born and bred in Maryborough and I want to deliver the best possible customer service for people on the Fraser Coast.
“Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning is proud to be accredited as Master Electricians and we will work hard to maintain that status in the years ahead.”
Master Electricians CEO Malcolm Richards said the extensive selection criteria for accreditation ensured that only the finest members of the industry could achieve accreditation.
“To be considered a Master Electrician, contractors must agree to be audited annually for safety and quality, offer their customers a 12-month guarantee on workmanship, and adhere to a strict code of practice.
“Our members must also demonstrate they have a comprehensive safety management system in place to protect themselves and their customers.”
He now has national status as a master of his trade, the highest level of professional accreditation for an electrical contractor.
Mr Allen, 30, who gained his qualification in the army, said that becoming a Master Electrician was a great honour for him personally and also for Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning.
“I’m proud that I’ve reached a pinnacle in my career,” he said.
“I’ve been an electrician since I was 17 years old and I’m very passionate about the trade. I was born and bred in Maryborough and I want to deliver the best possible customer service for people on the Fraser Coast.
“Axis Electrical and Air-conditioning is proud to be accredited as Master Electricians and we will work hard to maintain that status in the years ahead.”
Master Electricians CEO Malcolm Richards said the extensive selection criteria for accreditation ensured that only the finest members of the industry could achieve accreditation.
“To be considered a Master Electrician, contractors must agree to be audited annually for safety and quality, offer their customers a 12-month guarantee on workmanship, and adhere to a strict code of practice.
“Our members must also demonstrate they have a comprehensive safety management system in place to protect themselves and their customers.”
Thursday, March 11, 2010
New York Electrician Apprentices
by New York State Department of Labor
ELMIRA, NY (03/10/2010)(readMedia)-- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Joint Apprenticeship Committee of Elmira, Local # 139, will conduct a recruitment from March 12, 2010 through February 11, 2011 for six electrician apprentices, Acting State Labor Commissioner Colleen C. Gardner announced today
Applications can be obtained at the Local # 139, 508 College Avenue, Elmira, NY, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on second Friday of each month, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Applicants must apply in person.
The Committee required that applicants:
• Must be at least 17 years old (applicants selected from the pool of interviewed applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to being indentured).
• Must be at least a high school graduate, or have a general equivalency diploma (GED) - provide an official transcript for high school and post-high school education and training (or GED) after selection and prior to acceptance into the program.
• Must pass a physical exam and drug test paid by the sponsor, at the time of offer or acceptance into the program.
• Must show evidence of successful completion of: one year of high school Algebra, or one post high school algebra course with a passing grade after selection and prior to indenture.
• Must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience after selection and prior to indenture to receive consideration for such training and/or experience.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from worksites and classroom training.
• Must qualify for the interview using the electrical trade's aptitude test developed and validated by the American Institutes for Research. Must get a "4" or higher on this test.
• Must present evidence of valid driver's license after selection and prior to indenture.
• Must be a resident of the union jurisdiction as indicated here for at least six months:
All of Chemung County & All of Steuben County
In Allegany County: Townships of Allen, Almond, Alfred, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Granger, Grove, Hume, Independence, Ward, Wellsville, West Almond and Willing.
That portion of Amity, Belfast, Caneadea, and Scio townships east of the Genesee River.
In Schuyler County: Townships of Dix, Montour, Orange, Reading, and Tyrone
In Tioga County: Townships of Barton and Nichols.
For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office located or may contact the Local # 139 at (607) 732-1237.
Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.
ELMIRA, NY (03/10/2010)(readMedia)-- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Joint Apprenticeship Committee of Elmira, Local # 139, will conduct a recruitment from March 12, 2010 through February 11, 2011 for six electrician apprentices, Acting State Labor Commissioner Colleen C. Gardner announced today
Applications can be obtained at the Local # 139, 508 College Avenue, Elmira, NY, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on second Friday of each month, excluding legal holidays, during the recruitment period. Applicants must apply in person.
The Committee required that applicants:
• Must be at least 17 years old (applicants selected from the pool of interviewed applicants must be at least 18 years of age prior to being indentured).
• Must be at least a high school graduate, or have a general equivalency diploma (GED) - provide an official transcript for high school and post-high school education and training (or GED) after selection and prior to acceptance into the program.
• Must pass a physical exam and drug test paid by the sponsor, at the time of offer or acceptance into the program.
• Must show evidence of successful completion of: one year of high school Algebra, or one post high school algebra course with a passing grade after selection and prior to indenture.
• Must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience after selection and prior to indenture to receive consideration for such training and/or experience.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from worksites and classroom training.
• Must qualify for the interview using the electrical trade's aptitude test developed and validated by the American Institutes for Research. Must get a "4" or higher on this test.
• Must present evidence of valid driver's license after selection and prior to indenture.
• Must be a resident of the union jurisdiction as indicated here for at least six months:
All of Chemung County & All of Steuben County
In Allegany County: Townships of Allen, Almond, Alfred, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Granger, Grove, Hume, Independence, Ward, Wellsville, West Almond and Willing.
That portion of Amity, Belfast, Caneadea, and Scio townships east of the Genesee River.
In Schuyler County: Townships of Dix, Montour, Orange, Reading, and Tyrone
In Tioga County: Townships of Barton and Nichols.
For further information, applicants should contact their nearest New York State Department of Labor office located or may contact the Local # 139 at (607) 732-1237.
Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Electrician at Risk of Disease
The death of an electrician from mesothelioma is making headlines in Great Britain. An inquest has concluded that a British electrician who helped build a Nuclear Power Station in Gloucestershire died as a direct result of asbestos exposure. UK newspaper The Gazette reports that Gerald Brown, who died in November of mesothelioma, was an apprentice with NG Bailey of Yorkshire when the power station was built.
According to the results of the inquest, Brown died as a direct result of the large amount of asbestos used at the plant. Although he did not work directly with asbestos, Brown claims to have seen clouds of the mineral dust throughout the plant while he worked there and even remembered going home from work covered in the substance. Brown developed the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma – cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain – more than 30 years after his work exposure.
Brown’s is not an isolated case. Because electricians are often involved in the upgrading and renovation of older buildings, they are among the most likely workers to face asbestos exposure. Asbestos, the mineral fiber linked to a myriad of health risks including the cancer, mesothelioma, was used as an insulating material around wires and in many other building materials until the 1970’s due to its fire- and heat-resistant properties.
Asbestos is often found not only in electrical insulation products, but in the walls, floors ceilings and roofs of buildings being repaired or renovated, putting electricians at special risk. The process of wiring or rewiring buildings often requires these workers to crawl through, reach into, or otherwise disturb areas where asbestos is present. Before the dangers of asbestos were realized, hundreds of thousands of electricians, such as Brown, regularly worked around the substance without adequate protection causing them to be at risk for mesothelioma.
Asbestos-containing items with which electricians may come in contact include:
• Cement Siding
• Cement Wallboard
• Plaster
• Ceiling Tiles
• Electrical Panel Partitions
• Electric Wiring Insulation
• Thermal Paper Products
• High Temperature Gaskets
• Spackling Compounds
New products used by electricians no longer contain asbestos and those involved in renovation now know the importance of wearing protective gear.
Source:
“Electrician who helped build Berkeley Power Station died as a result of asbestos”, February 25, 1010. The Gazette.
© Surviving Mesothelioma and Cancer Monthly. All rights reserved.
According to the results of the inquest, Brown died as a direct result of the large amount of asbestos used at the plant. Although he did not work directly with asbestos, Brown claims to have seen clouds of the mineral dust throughout the plant while he worked there and even remembered going home from work covered in the substance. Brown developed the tell-tale symptoms of mesothelioma – cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain – more than 30 years after his work exposure.
Brown’s is not an isolated case. Because electricians are often involved in the upgrading and renovation of older buildings, they are among the most likely workers to face asbestos exposure. Asbestos, the mineral fiber linked to a myriad of health risks including the cancer, mesothelioma, was used as an insulating material around wires and in many other building materials until the 1970’s due to its fire- and heat-resistant properties.
Asbestos is often found not only in electrical insulation products, but in the walls, floors ceilings and roofs of buildings being repaired or renovated, putting electricians at special risk. The process of wiring or rewiring buildings often requires these workers to crawl through, reach into, or otherwise disturb areas where asbestos is present. Before the dangers of asbestos were realized, hundreds of thousands of electricians, such as Brown, regularly worked around the substance without adequate protection causing them to be at risk for mesothelioma.
Asbestos-containing items with which electricians may come in contact include:
• Cement Siding
• Cement Wallboard
• Plaster
• Ceiling Tiles
• Electrical Panel Partitions
• Electric Wiring Insulation
• Thermal Paper Products
• High Temperature Gaskets
• Spackling Compounds
New products used by electricians no longer contain asbestos and those involved in renovation now know the importance of wearing protective gear.
Source:
“Electrician who helped build Berkeley Power Station died as a result of asbestos”, February 25, 1010. The Gazette.
© Surviving Mesothelioma and Cancer Monthly. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Company Working Hard to Keep Orders Coming
After bagging five orders worth Rs 583 crore last month, Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) bagged new orders worth Rs 1,221 crore on Monday (a Rs 647-crore expressway construction project and Rs 358-crore turnkey electrical works). The latest orders have helped NCC surpass its order guidance of Rs 8,000 crore for 2009-10, besides enhancing its outstanding order position to about Rs 16,000 crore, or over 3.8 times its revenues in 2008-09, providing good revenue visibility.
The strong order book is a result of its diversified presence, such as in buildings, transportation, water, electrical and irrigation, along with its foray into power, oil and gas, metals and mining segments. In the power segment, it is developing three power plants with a total capacity of 1,700 Mw, including its own 1,320-Mw power plant that is to be commissioned by 2014. While NCC has acquired land and secured 70 per cent of the coal required for the power project, financial closure is expected soon.
On the back of its strong order book, analysts expect NCC’s core construction business to grow 20 per cent annually over the next two years. Overall growth is expected to be higher, driven by contribution from NCC’s two operational built-operate-transfer-based road projects (113 km), including the 50-km Bangalore Elevated project (commissioned in January 2010). Besides, by end-March 2010, NCC intends to commission two road projects measuring 142 km, followed by a 36-km project, to be commissioned in July 2010.
Notably, it has already prequalified for over 30 road projects worth Rs 27,000 crore. Thus, analysts expect NCC’s road business to bag more orders in future.
Meanwhile, analysts have pegged NCC’s value at Rs 185 per share on the sum-of-the-parts basis (including the real estate business). While the stock is a good long-term bet, at the current price of Rs 163.30, there is 12-13 per cent upside potential in the near term.
With inputs: Puneet Wadhwa & Jitendra Kumar Gupta
The strong order book is a result of its diversified presence, such as in buildings, transportation, water, electrical and irrigation, along with its foray into power, oil and gas, metals and mining segments. In the power segment, it is developing three power plants with a total capacity of 1,700 Mw, including its own 1,320-Mw power plant that is to be commissioned by 2014. While NCC has acquired land and secured 70 per cent of the coal required for the power project, financial closure is expected soon.
On the back of its strong order book, analysts expect NCC’s core construction business to grow 20 per cent annually over the next two years. Overall growth is expected to be higher, driven by contribution from NCC’s two operational built-operate-transfer-based road projects (113 km), including the 50-km Bangalore Elevated project (commissioned in January 2010). Besides, by end-March 2010, NCC intends to commission two road projects measuring 142 km, followed by a 36-km project, to be commissioned in July 2010.
Notably, it has already prequalified for over 30 road projects worth Rs 27,000 crore. Thus, analysts expect NCC’s road business to bag more orders in future.
Meanwhile, analysts have pegged NCC’s value at Rs 185 per share on the sum-of-the-parts basis (including the real estate business). While the stock is a good long-term bet, at the current price of Rs 163.30, there is 12-13 per cent upside potential in the near term.
With inputs: Puneet Wadhwa & Jitendra Kumar Gupta
Monday, March 8, 2010
From Apprentice to CEO
Cassidy: A real Silicon Valley power broker steps down
By Mike Cassidy
Jim Ryley's professional journey wasn't exactly your conventional Silicon Valley career path.
In fact, you could say that Ryley, who's retiring as CEO of Cupertino Electric, is a throwback. Remember when you did what your dad did? When you went to work for a company as a kid and that's where you stayed? That's Ryley, who started as an electrician apprentice at the electrical design and construction company in 1959. Apparently, he worked out.
"To be around the group that we've assembled of bright, young people, it's stimulating. It's exciting," Ryley, 71, says to explain his longevity. "I look forward to it every day."
Ryley spent more time at Cupertino Electric than most valley companies have spent in existence. He was at Cupertino Electric for more years than some of the valley's hottest hotshots have been alive.
But here's the funny thing: Ryley's career runs like a high-gauge wire through the evolution of Silicon Valley. Like the guys who sold picks and shovels to the 49ers looking for gold, Cupertino Electric supplied those in the digital gold rush with something they can't live without: power. Massive electrical systems to run their fabs, research complexes and data centers.
Like many successful executives, Ryley was encouraged by his parents. After graduating from Campbell High School, he left Oregon State University when his football career was cut short by two concussions. He returned home to find himself.
"At one point my parents said, 'Jim, it's time to find a job,' " Ryley says. His father, an electrician, suggested he look into an apprenticeship, which is how he caught on with Cupertino Electric. And from there he began rising quickly from a field electrician to the executive suite.
"He was sharp," says Gene Ravizza, 81, the company's founder, "so we made him a foreman and eventually we took him into the office."
It was clear to many early on that Ryley had what it took to lead a company. Robert Tragni, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local in Santa Clara County, worked as a summer apprentice at Cupertino Electric a few years after Ryley arrived. He still remembers his boss pointing out Ryley to him.
—‰'That guy is moving up,' he said."
Now that Ryley is retiring (he'll stay on as board chairman), he says he might go climb Mount Everest. Really. Or spend more time riding his Ducati motorcycles or manning speedy yachts, like the one he sailed to victory in the 1995 Transpacific California-to-Hawaii race. Or maybe he'll stick with cars, like the Porsches he used to race.
"After we made him foreman I used to worry, 'I wonder if he's going to be here Monday,' " says Ravizza, who's retired but still on the company board. "He was a little bit of a daredevil."
When Ryley started, company headquarters was a 2,500-square-foot house in Cupertino. (Now, and despite the name, it's in an airy building on eight acres in North San Jose.) In those days, the firm was helping build the stores, homes and schools needed to support the valley's postwar boom.
In the early 1960s, a new kind of customer came along. "Here's what we're going to do," Ryley says these new outfits told his company's designers. "We're going to take silicon and we're doing these chips and we need you to do the power."
It was virgin territory. The semiconductor industry's power needs were immense and complex: high-temperature ovens to bake the silicon; clean rooms with compressors and fans; and the critical need for a fail-safe electricity supply.
"No one knew how to do it," Ryley says. But the company figured it out and went to work for Fairchild, National and Intel, for Hewlett-Packard and Stanford University.
Ryley pushed sales to a record $746 million in 2000, largely by working on the server farms that were key to the dot-com boom and made up about 85 percent of Cupertino Electric's work. When the boom went bust, the reckoning was swift and severe. Over 18 months, Ryley laid off about 2,000 of the operation's 3,000 employees, in what was his toughest stretch as CEO.
"That's probably the hardest thing, management thing, to do," he says.
Of course, those who were laid off were upset, the IBEW's Tragni says. But, he added, Ryley worked well with labor and was open to new ideas.
"He will be missed," he says.
Today Cupertino Electric is a company of about 1,000 employees with annual revenues of about $400 million. It's time, Ryley says, to let a younger management team take over. And so he's stepping aside after 50 years at the same company.
As Ryley leaves, you might want to watch him go. Fifty years. One company. It's just not the way we do business in the valley anymore. And on some level there's something a little sad about that.
By Mike Cassidy
Jim Ryley's professional journey wasn't exactly your conventional Silicon Valley career path.
In fact, you could say that Ryley, who's retiring as CEO of Cupertino Electric, is a throwback. Remember when you did what your dad did? When you went to work for a company as a kid and that's where you stayed? That's Ryley, who started as an electrician apprentice at the electrical design and construction company in 1959. Apparently, he worked out.
"To be around the group that we've assembled of bright, young people, it's stimulating. It's exciting," Ryley, 71, says to explain his longevity. "I look forward to it every day."
Ryley spent more time at Cupertino Electric than most valley companies have spent in existence. He was at Cupertino Electric for more years than some of the valley's hottest hotshots have been alive.
But here's the funny thing: Ryley's career runs like a high-gauge wire through the evolution of Silicon Valley. Like the guys who sold picks and shovels to the 49ers looking for gold, Cupertino Electric supplied those in the digital gold rush with something they can't live without: power. Massive electrical systems to run their fabs, research complexes and data centers.
Like many successful executives, Ryley was encouraged by his parents. After graduating from Campbell High School, he left Oregon State University when his football career was cut short by two concussions. He returned home to find himself.
"At one point my parents said, 'Jim, it's time to find a job,' " Ryley says. His father, an electrician, suggested he look into an apprenticeship, which is how he caught on with Cupertino Electric. And from there he began rising quickly from a field electrician to the executive suite.
"He was sharp," says Gene Ravizza, 81, the company's founder, "so we made him a foreman and eventually we took him into the office."
It was clear to many early on that Ryley had what it took to lead a company. Robert Tragni, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local in Santa Clara County, worked as a summer apprentice at Cupertino Electric a few years after Ryley arrived. He still remembers his boss pointing out Ryley to him.
—‰'That guy is moving up,' he said."
Now that Ryley is retiring (he'll stay on as board chairman), he says he might go climb Mount Everest. Really. Or spend more time riding his Ducati motorcycles or manning speedy yachts, like the one he sailed to victory in the 1995 Transpacific California-to-Hawaii race. Or maybe he'll stick with cars, like the Porsches he used to race.
"After we made him foreman I used to worry, 'I wonder if he's going to be here Monday,' " says Ravizza, who's retired but still on the company board. "He was a little bit of a daredevil."
When Ryley started, company headquarters was a 2,500-square-foot house in Cupertino. (Now, and despite the name, it's in an airy building on eight acres in North San Jose.) In those days, the firm was helping build the stores, homes and schools needed to support the valley's postwar boom.
In the early 1960s, a new kind of customer came along. "Here's what we're going to do," Ryley says these new outfits told his company's designers. "We're going to take silicon and we're doing these chips and we need you to do the power."
It was virgin territory. The semiconductor industry's power needs were immense and complex: high-temperature ovens to bake the silicon; clean rooms with compressors and fans; and the critical need for a fail-safe electricity supply.
"No one knew how to do it," Ryley says. But the company figured it out and went to work for Fairchild, National and Intel, for Hewlett-Packard and Stanford University.
Ryley pushed sales to a record $746 million in 2000, largely by working on the server farms that were key to the dot-com boom and made up about 85 percent of Cupertino Electric's work. When the boom went bust, the reckoning was swift and severe. Over 18 months, Ryley laid off about 2,000 of the operation's 3,000 employees, in what was his toughest stretch as CEO.
"That's probably the hardest thing, management thing, to do," he says.
Of course, those who were laid off were upset, the IBEW's Tragni says. But, he added, Ryley worked well with labor and was open to new ideas.
"He will be missed," he says.
Today Cupertino Electric is a company of about 1,000 employees with annual revenues of about $400 million. It's time, Ryley says, to let a younger management team take over. And so he's stepping aside after 50 years at the same company.
As Ryley leaves, you might want to watch him go. Fifty years. One company. It's just not the way we do business in the valley anymore. And on some level there's something a little sad about that.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Nuclear Plants Hire Electricians
Exelon Nuclear’s Quad-Cities Generating Station is embarking on a $300 million improvement project expected to energize the local economy with nearly 2,100 temporary construction jobs and a payroll ranging from $14 million to $20 million.
In addition, the work will increase electricity production by the plant on the Mississippi River near Cordova, Ill.
During a news conference Friday, Exelon officials explained plans for the $300 million power upgrade, which will be completed over two years beginning with a refueling outage this month.
Tim Tulon, the plant’s site vice president, said the project entails the replacement of three low-pressure turbine rotors and casings on Unit 2. The rotors — which each weigh 124 tons — take steam from the reactors to turn the generator and produce electricity.
The same upgrade will be performed on Unit 1 in 2011. The work must be completed while the units are non-operational. Unit 1 will continue to produce electricity while the work is completed on Unit 2.
Each upgrade will cost $150 million between the new equipment and the additional workers needed. Tulon added that the workers will complete the upgrade as well as conduct more than 13,000 other work activities as part of the refueling outage.
John Garrity, Exelon’s work management director, estimated that the payroll for the project will range from $14 million to $20 million.
The turbine rotors, produced by Alstom, each cost between $18 million and $20 million. The equipment was built in France and Switzerland.
In addition to Exelon’s 850-person work force, the project is expected to create nearly 2,100 temporary construction jobs across multiple trades. Tulon said the turbine work alone will require 300 workers.
Rory Washburn, the executive director of the Tri-City Building Trades Council, said the project is welcome news for the local trades unions. He estimated it will create 1,300 trades jobs and another 800 support jobs. To perform the upgrade and other work, the plant will hire millwrights, electricians, pipefitters, laborers, welders, iron workers, boilermakers, sheet metal workers and insulators.
“We’re going to employ a lot of local labor,” Tulon said.
Washburn said the project also is drawing skilled trades workers from across the country, including those who specialize in the nuclear industry. “There’s a lot of people out there looking for work.”
“This is outstanding,” he said of the project’s scope and timing, given the slowness in the construction industry. “About 1,000 Quad-City families are going to get paychecks as a result of this.”
Scott Verschoore, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 145 and the council’s president, estimated that work for electricians is off 25 to 40 percent right now. He said about 200 electricians, including 75 local workers, will be on the job. “Once this is over in April, I’ll have 20 percent unemployment (among the electricians).”
While the nuclear plant regularly performs maintenance as part of a refueling — a project that brings in hundreds of additional workers — Exelon spokesman Bill Stoermer said the turbine retrofit project is one of the largest projects undertaken by the plant since it opened in 1972.
“When we replace these now, they will last until the end of the life of the plant in 2032,” he added.
It is the first time the casings and rotors have been replaced as assemblies since the plant opened.
Garrity said some of the other new equipment, which has been arriving for the past three weeks, will replace 1950s-era technology. Technology at the Cordova plant, which opened in 1972, is based on 1950s and 1960s designs, he said.
“We’ll be taking the plant from an analog system to a digital system. The whole evolution is exciting to us,” he said, adding that the new design will allow for more energy production.
The upgrade at Cordova will allow the plant to create enough additional electricity to power 32,000 homes, Tulon said.
Garrity said the project has been in the planning stages for the past four years. The last two years have involved the upgrade’s design, fabrication and delivery. The refueling outage begins March 15 and will last into April.
According to Tulon, Exelon is increasing production through efficiency and new technology as opposed to building new power plants. “Exelon’s strategy is to take the current fleet and improve it, digitize it and increase the power.”
He said the Quad-City plant is the first of three of Exelon’s U.S. plants slated for upgrade. Upgrades also are in the works for Dresden, Ill., and Peach Bottom, Pa.
All three are to be upgraded by 2016, Tulon said, adding that the increased power “will be the equivalent of a new power plant — at half the cost.”
The upgrade for Cordova, he said will add an additional 40 megawatts of electrical generation to each units capacity.
In addition to the actual jobs created by the project, Tulon said there is other economic impact from the hundreds of workers who travel and stay in the Quad-Cities for the project’s duration. Their presence, he said, helps area hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
In addition, the work will increase electricity production by the plant on the Mississippi River near Cordova, Ill.
During a news conference Friday, Exelon officials explained plans for the $300 million power upgrade, which will be completed over two years beginning with a refueling outage this month.
Tim Tulon, the plant’s site vice president, said the project entails the replacement of three low-pressure turbine rotors and casings on Unit 2. The rotors — which each weigh 124 tons — take steam from the reactors to turn the generator and produce electricity.
The same upgrade will be performed on Unit 1 in 2011. The work must be completed while the units are non-operational. Unit 1 will continue to produce electricity while the work is completed on Unit 2.
Each upgrade will cost $150 million between the new equipment and the additional workers needed. Tulon added that the workers will complete the upgrade as well as conduct more than 13,000 other work activities as part of the refueling outage.
John Garrity, Exelon’s work management director, estimated that the payroll for the project will range from $14 million to $20 million.
The turbine rotors, produced by Alstom, each cost between $18 million and $20 million. The equipment was built in France and Switzerland.
In addition to Exelon’s 850-person work force, the project is expected to create nearly 2,100 temporary construction jobs across multiple trades. Tulon said the turbine work alone will require 300 workers.
Rory Washburn, the executive director of the Tri-City Building Trades Council, said the project is welcome news for the local trades unions. He estimated it will create 1,300 trades jobs and another 800 support jobs. To perform the upgrade and other work, the plant will hire millwrights, electricians, pipefitters, laborers, welders, iron workers, boilermakers, sheet metal workers and insulators.
“We’re going to employ a lot of local labor,” Tulon said.
Washburn said the project also is drawing skilled trades workers from across the country, including those who specialize in the nuclear industry. “There’s a lot of people out there looking for work.”
“This is outstanding,” he said of the project’s scope and timing, given the slowness in the construction industry. “About 1,000 Quad-City families are going to get paychecks as a result of this.”
Scott Verschoore, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 145 and the council’s president, estimated that work for electricians is off 25 to 40 percent right now. He said about 200 electricians, including 75 local workers, will be on the job. “Once this is over in April, I’ll have 20 percent unemployment (among the electricians).”
While the nuclear plant regularly performs maintenance as part of a refueling — a project that brings in hundreds of additional workers — Exelon spokesman Bill Stoermer said the turbine retrofit project is one of the largest projects undertaken by the plant since it opened in 1972.
“When we replace these now, they will last until the end of the life of the plant in 2032,” he added.
It is the first time the casings and rotors have been replaced as assemblies since the plant opened.
Garrity said some of the other new equipment, which has been arriving for the past three weeks, will replace 1950s-era technology. Technology at the Cordova plant, which opened in 1972, is based on 1950s and 1960s designs, he said.
“We’ll be taking the plant from an analog system to a digital system. The whole evolution is exciting to us,” he said, adding that the new design will allow for more energy production.
The upgrade at Cordova will allow the plant to create enough additional electricity to power 32,000 homes, Tulon said.
Garrity said the project has been in the planning stages for the past four years. The last two years have involved the upgrade’s design, fabrication and delivery. The refueling outage begins March 15 and will last into April.
According to Tulon, Exelon is increasing production through efficiency and new technology as opposed to building new power plants. “Exelon’s strategy is to take the current fleet and improve it, digitize it and increase the power.”
He said the Quad-City plant is the first of three of Exelon’s U.S. plants slated for upgrade. Upgrades also are in the works for Dresden, Ill., and Peach Bottom, Pa.
All three are to be upgraded by 2016, Tulon said, adding that the increased power “will be the equivalent of a new power plant — at half the cost.”
The upgrade for Cordova, he said will add an additional 40 megawatts of electrical generation to each units capacity.
In addition to the actual jobs created by the project, Tulon said there is other economic impact from the hundreds of workers who travel and stay in the Quad-Cities for the project’s duration. Their presence, he said, helps area hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Nuclear Energy Jobs for Electricians
Updated: March 5, 2010 03:17 PM PST
Exelon Nuclear will be adding more than two thousand temporary jobs to its workforce in Cordova. The nuclear station is launching a three hundred million dollar power upgrade project.
The company hired about twenty one hundred skilled workers. They include millwrights, pipefitters, and electricians. Many of those temporary employees are from the Quad City area.
A couple of hundred electricians from IBEW Local 145 will help with the project. Many of the workers will put in sixty to seventy hour work weeks.
Bob Soesbe is with the Clinton Labor Congress. He represents union workers in both Clinton and Whiteside Counties. He says the union workers go to school for thousands of hours to learn their trade.
They make good money and are not afraid to spend it. That's money which will be spent in local restaurants, convenience stores, and gasoline stations.
The refueling project begins later this month and should be completed sometime in April.
Exelon Nuclear will be adding more than two thousand temporary jobs to its workforce in Cordova. The nuclear station is launching a three hundred million dollar power upgrade project.
The company hired about twenty one hundred skilled workers. They include millwrights, pipefitters, and electricians. Many of those temporary employees are from the Quad City area.
A couple of hundred electricians from IBEW Local 145 will help with the project. Many of the workers will put in sixty to seventy hour work weeks.
Bob Soesbe is with the Clinton Labor Congress. He represents union workers in both Clinton and Whiteside Counties. He says the union workers go to school for thousands of hours to learn their trade.
They make good money and are not afraid to spend it. That's money which will be spent in local restaurants, convenience stores, and gasoline stations.
The refueling project begins later this month and should be completed sometime in April.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Electricians Under Political Duress
On Monday, March 1, at about 9am, approximately ten heavily armed Federal Police arrived at the former Luz y Fuerza del Centro's Santa Cruz Meyehualco office in Iztatapalapa, Mexico, and forced union electricians to remove a table they had set up outside their former workplace. The electricians, all members of the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME), have continuously staffed the table since December 17, 2009.
The table in Iztapalapa is one of about 250 "information modules" that the SME set up all over the area that Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) served before President Felipe Calderon's October 11 executive order that summarily shut down the power company and threw its 44,000 workers out on the street.
While the SME refers to the tables as "information modules," in reality they act as guerrilla customer service centers--and all of the services they offer are free to the public. Electric customers can go to the tables to file legal complaints with the government regarding service problems they have experienced since Calderon shut down LyFC and put its grid under the control of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Customers who file complaints can also join the consumer strike and refuse to pay their bills. Electric customers who experience service interruptions either due to CFE incompetence or strike-related shut-offs can request that a team of SME electricians come out to restore their power.
"Theft Disguised As Inventory"
The Iztapalapa information module began to experience problems on February 22 when agents from the Ministry of Administration and Asset Transfer (SAE) arrived at LyFC's Santa Cruz Meyehualco office with a public notary and several local police under the auspices of carrying out an inventory. They were met by 16 SME members who were staffing the information module.
The SME members told the police and SAE officials, "You can't go in. If you want to go in, then we go in, too, because we have personal belongings inside." When the police insisted that the SME let the SAE officials enter, an SME member responded, "There's negotiations going on with the federal government, directly with [Secretary of the Interior Fernando Francisco] Gómez Mont. The union is negotiating so that we can go in and get our personal belongings out, accompanied by a public notary. But we [in the meantime] we can't let strangers inside."
Joaquin Gomez, one of the SME members that has staffed the information module outside the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office, told Narco News, "Ever since [Calderon sent Federal Police to take over LyFC without warning on] October 11, we haven't been able to enter. We think these people are trying to steal our belongings. We have a lot of personal belongings inside, including money. We left a lot of personal belongings in our desks and lockers."
In addition to personal belongings, Gomez and his former co-workers also fear that the SAE will steal LyFC's customer databases. "They came with laptops, so we think that what they want is the database with all of our customer information. We served about 100,000 customers [at the Santa Cruz Meyehualco location]. So we think they want the files to be able to locate the customers.
As soon as the SAE and the local police tried to enter the LyFC office, the workers called their fellow union members for backup. They also called the Francisco Villa Popular Front - Independent (FPFV-I), who are members of the Zapatista's Other Campaign in Mexico City. The FPFV-I immediately sent dozens of members to the office in Santa Cruz Meyehualco office to guard the doors and rally in support of the SME.
Faced with such a show of solidarity, the SAE officials and the police retreated, warning that they would be back another day.
The SAE officials and local cops didn't come back. However, heavily armed Federal Police came to Santa Cruz Meyehualco on March 1 and forced the SME to take down its information module in front of the office.
According to Gomez and the other SME members gathered near the office, the police rotate their positions: approximately four police are inside the offices at any given time while another six stand guard outside. Gomez told Narco News, "We don't know what they [the Federal Police] are doing inside. We suspect that they want to remove vehicles and equipment and files, as they've done in other [LyFC] buildings."
The workers report that thus far they have no visual confirmation that the police have removed items from the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office. However, their suspicions aren't unfounded: the SME has video documenting police stealing computers, tools, and even huge suitcases full of copper wiring from LyFC buildings.
Consumer Strike
Gomez reports that the Federal Police's presence intimidates people. "People are scared to come here because they see the federales outside the agency," he says. "In this zone we were turning in 40-50 complaints daily" before the Federal Police showed up. Now with armed police standing guard, hardly anyone stops by the table, the workers report.
Much to the police's chagrin ("Who gave you permission to take photos?" snarled one officer at our photographer), this friendly news team interviewed former LyFC worker Carlos Romero outside the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office. He explained the free services the SME offers at the information modules, and how customers can join the strike.
The table in Iztapalapa is one of about 250 "information modules" that the SME set up all over the area that Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) served before President Felipe Calderon's October 11 executive order that summarily shut down the power company and threw its 44,000 workers out on the street.
While the SME refers to the tables as "information modules," in reality they act as guerrilla customer service centers--and all of the services they offer are free to the public. Electric customers can go to the tables to file legal complaints with the government regarding service problems they have experienced since Calderon shut down LyFC and put its grid under the control of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Customers who file complaints can also join the consumer strike and refuse to pay their bills. Electric customers who experience service interruptions either due to CFE incompetence or strike-related shut-offs can request that a team of SME electricians come out to restore their power.
"Theft Disguised As Inventory"
The Iztapalapa information module began to experience problems on February 22 when agents from the Ministry of Administration and Asset Transfer (SAE) arrived at LyFC's Santa Cruz Meyehualco office with a public notary and several local police under the auspices of carrying out an inventory. They were met by 16 SME members who were staffing the information module.
The SME members told the police and SAE officials, "You can't go in. If you want to go in, then we go in, too, because we have personal belongings inside." When the police insisted that the SME let the SAE officials enter, an SME member responded, "There's negotiations going on with the federal government, directly with [Secretary of the Interior Fernando Francisco] Gómez Mont. The union is negotiating so that we can go in and get our personal belongings out, accompanied by a public notary. But we [in the meantime] we can't let strangers inside."
Joaquin Gomez, one of the SME members that has staffed the information module outside the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office, told Narco News, "Ever since [Calderon sent Federal Police to take over LyFC without warning on] October 11, we haven't been able to enter. We think these people are trying to steal our belongings. We have a lot of personal belongings inside, including money. We left a lot of personal belongings in our desks and lockers."
In addition to personal belongings, Gomez and his former co-workers also fear that the SAE will steal LyFC's customer databases. "They came with laptops, so we think that what they want is the database with all of our customer information. We served about 100,000 customers [at the Santa Cruz Meyehualco location]. So we think they want the files to be able to locate the customers.
As soon as the SAE and the local police tried to enter the LyFC office, the workers called their fellow union members for backup. They also called the Francisco Villa Popular Front - Independent (FPFV-I), who are members of the Zapatista's Other Campaign in Mexico City. The FPFV-I immediately sent dozens of members to the office in Santa Cruz Meyehualco office to guard the doors and rally in support of the SME.
Faced with such a show of solidarity, the SAE officials and the police retreated, warning that they would be back another day.
The SAE officials and local cops didn't come back. However, heavily armed Federal Police came to Santa Cruz Meyehualco on March 1 and forced the SME to take down its information module in front of the office.
According to Gomez and the other SME members gathered near the office, the police rotate their positions: approximately four police are inside the offices at any given time while another six stand guard outside. Gomez told Narco News, "We don't know what they [the Federal Police] are doing inside. We suspect that they want to remove vehicles and equipment and files, as they've done in other [LyFC] buildings."
The workers report that thus far they have no visual confirmation that the police have removed items from the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office. However, their suspicions aren't unfounded: the SME has video documenting police stealing computers, tools, and even huge suitcases full of copper wiring from LyFC buildings.
Consumer Strike
Gomez reports that the Federal Police's presence intimidates people. "People are scared to come here because they see the federales outside the agency," he says. "In this zone we were turning in 40-50 complaints daily" before the Federal Police showed up. Now with armed police standing guard, hardly anyone stops by the table, the workers report.
Much to the police's chagrin ("Who gave you permission to take photos?" snarled one officer at our photographer), this friendly news team interviewed former LyFC worker Carlos Romero outside the Santa Cruz Meyehualco office. He explained the free services the SME offers at the information modules, and how customers can join the strike.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Electricians Under Political Pressure in Mexico
On Monday, March 1, at about 9am, approximately ten heavily armed Federal Police arrived at theformer Luz y Fuerza del Centro's Santa Clara Meyehualco office in Iztatapalapa, Mexico, and forced union electricians to remove a table they had set up outside their former workplace. The electricians, all members of the Mexican Electrical Workers Union (SME), have continuously staffed the table since December 17, 2009.
The table in Iztapalapa is one of about 250 "information modules" that the SME set up all over the area that Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) served before President Felipe Calderon's October 11 executive order that summarily shut down the power company and threw its 44,000 workers out on the street.
While the SME refers to the tables as "information modules," in reality they act as guerrilla customer service centers--and all of the services they offer are free to the public. Electric customers can go to the tables to file legal complaints with the government regarding service problems they have experienced since Calderon shut down LyFC and put its grid under the control of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Customers who file complaints can also join the consumer strike and refuse to pay their bills. Electric customers who experience service interruptions either due to CFE incompetence or strike-related shut-offs can request that a team of SME electricians come out to restore their power.
The table in Iztapalapa is one of about 250 "information modules" that the SME set up all over the area that Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) served before President Felipe Calderon's October 11 executive order that summarily shut down the power company and threw its 44,000 workers out on the street.
While the SME refers to the tables as "information modules," in reality they act as guerrilla customer service centers--and all of the services they offer are free to the public. Electric customers can go to the tables to file legal complaints with the government regarding service problems they have experienced since Calderon shut down LyFC and put its grid under the control of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Customers who file complaints can also join the consumer strike and refuse to pay their bills. Electric customers who experience service interruptions either due to CFE incompetence or strike-related shut-offs can request that a team of SME electricians come out to restore their power.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Electrician Jobs in the UK
What is the Role?
Are you a Street Lighting Electrician with C&G 2360? If you are my client needs you! As a specialists in external lighting and highway electrical installations my client are looking for someone who is fully trained to undertake routine maintenance works across a Somerset scheme. As major player in street lighting PFIs there are a number of opportunities for fully qualified, experienced street lighting electricians to join a fast growing design and build company
Duties/responsibilities will include:
Installation of street light columns, street furniture and other associated equipment
Underground cable running
Connection of street furniture and feeder pillars to the grid
Full replacement of street light it indervidual componanats including ballast units, igniters, capacitors, photo cells
Fault finding & repair
Be available for 'out of hours' emergency call out service
Ensure all works are adequately protected and safety of the workforce, public and vehicles are maintained at all times
Maintenance and accurate completion of all paperwork, job sheets and other relevant documentation.
What Skills do I need?
The successful candidate must have the following skills/attributes:
- Be fully qualified to at least City & Guilds 2360 or equivalent
- Previous street lighting experience on motorways/dual carriageways
- Hold valid CSCS or ECS card/certification
- Hold a full driving licence
- Hold valid MEWP or IPAF certification
- Hold valid G39/1
Preferred skills/attributes include:
- Have experience of jointing at least 75mm, private supply, 3/4 core SWA cables.
- Full HGV II driving licence
- CPCS card (i.e. 360 mini digger ticket)
- NRSWA (Street Works) card
- HIAB/Lorry Loader certification
- Any cable jointing training undertaken
In return the successful candidate will receive:
- 24K +
- Use of a company vehicle.
Our Methodology
We are specialist providers of contract and permanent staff for the rail, traffic and transportation markets; we have over 20 years experience of recruiting professionals within these sectors.
As specialists in rail, traffic and transportation we are selective in our partnering solutions, ensuring that we can deliver on our commitments. We provide honest feedback and manage the recruitment process from conception to completion in an effective and efficient manner for every person involved.
Please apply to:
Jake Wyatt
jake@cpresourcing.co.uk
Are you a Street Lighting Electrician with C&G 2360? If you are my client needs you! As a specialists in external lighting and highway electrical installations my client are looking for someone who is fully trained to undertake routine maintenance works across a Somerset scheme. As major player in street lighting PFIs there are a number of opportunities for fully qualified, experienced street lighting electricians to join a fast growing design and build company
Duties/responsibilities will include:
Installation of street light columns, street furniture and other associated equipment
Underground cable running
Connection of street furniture and feeder pillars to the grid
Full replacement of street light it indervidual componanats including ballast units, igniters, capacitors, photo cells
Fault finding & repair
Be available for 'out of hours' emergency call out service
Ensure all works are adequately protected and safety of the workforce, public and vehicles are maintained at all times
Maintenance and accurate completion of all paperwork, job sheets and other relevant documentation.
What Skills do I need?
The successful candidate must have the following skills/attributes:
- Be fully qualified to at least City & Guilds 2360 or equivalent
- Previous street lighting experience on motorways/dual carriageways
- Hold valid CSCS or ECS card/certification
- Hold a full driving licence
- Hold valid MEWP or IPAF certification
- Hold valid G39/1
Preferred skills/attributes include:
- Have experience of jointing at least 75mm, private supply, 3/4 core SWA cables.
- Full HGV II driving licence
- CPCS card (i.e. 360 mini digger ticket)
- NRSWA (Street Works) card
- HIAB/Lorry Loader certification
- Any cable jointing training undertaken
In return the successful candidate will receive:
- 24K +
- Use of a company vehicle.
Our Methodology
We are specialist providers of contract and permanent staff for the rail, traffic and transportation markets; we have over 20 years experience of recruiting professionals within these sectors.
As specialists in rail, traffic and transportation we are selective in our partnering solutions, ensuring that we can deliver on our commitments. We provide honest feedback and manage the recruitment process from conception to completion in an effective and efficient manner for every person involved.
Please apply to:
Jake Wyatt
jake@cpresourcing.co.uk
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
There is Money in High Tension Electrical Cable
Winneba, (C/R) March 1, GNA - The Winneba District Magistrate's Court has fined two electricians and a scrap dealer from Winneba GH¢120 each for stealing some high tension cable of the Electricity Company of Ghana, at Winneba.
Emmanuel Ayie, Joseph Nkeako both electricians, and Kadri Abedrel, the scrap dealer, pleaded guilty.
They would go to prison for 18 months each if they fail to pay the fines.
Narrating the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Ben B. Attabra, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Moses Naa-Kolgo Agbegne, said Ayie and Nteako worked for Willay Dan Electrical Company, Winneba.
He said the Company had been contracted by the ECG to replace some old high tension cables in Winneba and its surroundings.
The prosecution said on February 14, Ayie and Nteako stole some cable valued at about GHC1000 and sold them to Abedrel, a scrap dealer at Winneba at the cost of GHC150.
Chief Inspector Agbegne said the next morning, Abedrel, in his attempt to transport the cable to Accra, was arrested by a staff of the ECG at Winneba Junction and sent to the Police Station.
When he was interrogated he mentioned Ayie and Nteako as those who gave the cable to him and they were subsequently arrested and arraigned at the court.
The court ordered that the cables be given back to the ECG.
GNA
Emmanuel Ayie, Joseph Nkeako both electricians, and Kadri Abedrel, the scrap dealer, pleaded guilty.
They would go to prison for 18 months each if they fail to pay the fines.
Narrating the facts of the case to the court, presided over by Mr Ben B. Attabra, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Moses Naa-Kolgo Agbegne, said Ayie and Nteako worked for Willay Dan Electrical Company, Winneba.
He said the Company had been contracted by the ECG to replace some old high tension cables in Winneba and its surroundings.
The prosecution said on February 14, Ayie and Nteako stole some cable valued at about GHC1000 and sold them to Abedrel, a scrap dealer at Winneba at the cost of GHC150.
Chief Inspector Agbegne said the next morning, Abedrel, in his attempt to transport the cable to Accra, was arrested by a staff of the ECG at Winneba Junction and sent to the Police Station.
When he was interrogated he mentioned Ayie and Nteako as those who gave the cable to him and they were subsequently arrested and arraigned at the court.
The court ordered that the cables be given back to the ECG.
GNA
Monday, March 1, 2010
Electrician Bringing Jobs to Utah
Summit » Decision highlights maturing of Utah's digital media industry.
By Tom Harvey
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 02/26/2010 06:22:44 PM MST
Electronic Arts, one of the leading producers of digital games, says it is expanding its Utah studio and moving it into a larger office in downtown Salt Lake City to start on a "groundbreaking" new project.
That announcement comes just days before a summit of the Utah's digital media industry that is being billed as a representing the maturity of the industry that has long roots here.
Electronic Arts Executive Producer Ben Bell said the company would be hiring for the new Salt Lake City office. It currently has an office in Bountiful; a spokesperson said she would not immediately say whether that office will remain.
"Salt Lake City already has a strong game development community and the base of talent here is deep," Bell said in a written question-and-answer session provided by the company. "Historically, the game development scene in Salt Lake goes back several decades, and now there are hundreds of people in the region working on games."
He declined to provide information on the new project.
Companies that make video games, create animation, movies and other media, employ over 475 people directly and over 1,575 Utahns indirectly, according to a report by the Utah Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Though relatively small in numbers, Utah is the fourth largest state per capita for the number of multimedia artists and animators, according to the report.
Those types of numbers are part of the reason that Grow Utah Ventures has organized the Push Button Summit 2010 on March 9-10. The sponsors, a group that promotes economic development in Utah, hopes to bring together the industry for a chance to hear advice from panel members and to hobnob with fellow practitioners of the electronic arts.
"There's a lot of momentum here, said T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah Ventures. "We think we can get more momentum and more success. With a summit like this, one of our objectives is to begin to recognize among ourselves the significance of this industry."
Headlining the summit are John Warnock, the founder of Adobe Systems, and Ian McKerlich, director of mobile Internet and content for T-Mobile.
The presence of Warnock is a reminder that the growth of digital media has a history in Utah. Warnock graduated from the University of Utah in 1969 with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. That era also spawned the creation of Evans & Sutherland, a pioneering company in computer graphics started by university faculty members. The U.'s Tom Stockham created the field of digital recording.
Besides Adobe Systems, graduates went on to found Pixar Animation Studios, Silicon Graphics and WordPerfect.
Now, Brigham Young University has a strong animation program, which has won four student Academy Awards and nine student Emmys, The University of Utah teaches game development, as well as computer engineering, while other state schools also turn out graduates with skills of use to the digital media industry.
Utah is home to some 60 digital media and film companies, including the expanding office of Electronic Arts and Disney Interactive Studios.
While Utah has a vibrant sector, its wages lag the national mean salary. Film and video editors make only about 60 percent of the national mean, while artists and illustrators make nearly 88 percent.
But the wages and a lower cost of living may be one reason Electronic Arts is expanding and moving its operations in Utah. The company last year announced plans to lay off 1,500 people. Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello was quoted in December as saying the company was looking to have a presence in lower-cost areas outside of California.
Bell said that a team of experienced developers from the company's Sims Studio in Redwood Shores, Calif., are moving to Salt Lake City to kick off a new project and that the company would be hiring for "key positions."
"Some of the talent will come from EA's Salt Lake Studio," he said. "We are also looking for new talent from university programs as the project gains momentum, so we will have a great blend of people from different backgrounds."
tharvey@sltrib.com
By Tom Harvey
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 02/26/2010 06:22:44 PM MST
Electronic Arts, one of the leading producers of digital games, says it is expanding its Utah studio and moving it into a larger office in downtown Salt Lake City to start on a "groundbreaking" new project.
That announcement comes just days before a summit of the Utah's digital media industry that is being billed as a representing the maturity of the industry that has long roots here.
Electronic Arts Executive Producer Ben Bell said the company would be hiring for the new Salt Lake City office. It currently has an office in Bountiful; a spokesperson said she would not immediately say whether that office will remain.
"Salt Lake City already has a strong game development community and the base of talent here is deep," Bell said in a written question-and-answer session provided by the company. "Historically, the game development scene in Salt Lake goes back several decades, and now there are hundreds of people in the region working on games."
He declined to provide information on the new project.
Companies that make video games, create animation, movies and other media, employ over 475 people directly and over 1,575 Utahns indirectly, according to a report by the Utah Economic Development Corporation of Utah. Though relatively small in numbers, Utah is the fourth largest state per capita for the number of multimedia artists and animators, according to the report.
Those types of numbers are part of the reason that Grow Utah Ventures has organized the Push Button Summit 2010 on March 9-10. The sponsors, a group that promotes economic development in Utah, hopes to bring together the industry for a chance to hear advice from panel members and to hobnob with fellow practitioners of the electronic arts.
"There's a lot of momentum here, said T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah Ventures. "We think we can get more momentum and more success. With a summit like this, one of our objectives is to begin to recognize among ourselves the significance of this industry."
Headlining the summit are John Warnock, the founder of Adobe Systems, and Ian McKerlich, director of mobile Internet and content for T-Mobile.
The presence of Warnock is a reminder that the growth of digital media has a history in Utah. Warnock graduated from the University of Utah in 1969 with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. That era also spawned the creation of Evans & Sutherland, a pioneering company in computer graphics started by university faculty members. The U.'s Tom Stockham created the field of digital recording.
Besides Adobe Systems, graduates went on to found Pixar Animation Studios, Silicon Graphics and WordPerfect.
Now, Brigham Young University has a strong animation program, which has won four student Academy Awards and nine student Emmys, The University of Utah teaches game development, as well as computer engineering, while other state schools also turn out graduates with skills of use to the digital media industry.
Utah is home to some 60 digital media and film companies, including the expanding office of Electronic Arts and Disney Interactive Studios.
While Utah has a vibrant sector, its wages lag the national mean salary. Film and video editors make only about 60 percent of the national mean, while artists and illustrators make nearly 88 percent.
But the wages and a lower cost of living may be one reason Electronic Arts is expanding and moving its operations in Utah. The company last year announced plans to lay off 1,500 people. Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello was quoted in December as saying the company was looking to have a presence in lower-cost areas outside of California.
Bell said that a team of experienced developers from the company's Sims Studio in Redwood Shores, Calif., are moving to Salt Lake City to kick off a new project and that the company would be hiring for "key positions."
"Some of the talent will come from EA's Salt Lake Studio," he said. "We are also looking for new talent from university programs as the project gains momentum, so we will have a great blend of people from different backgrounds."
tharvey@sltrib.com
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