DOE Announces First Graduates of Data Center Energy Practitioners Program
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) recently announced the first group of participants who have completed the Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) training program. The goal of the program is to train diverse professionals who will become energy experts with the experience to conduct energy assessments for data centers, a growing and energy-intensive industry. Significant knowledge, training, and skills are required to perform accurate energy assessments in data centers, and the DCEP program was designed and implemented in close coordination with industry stakeholders to train a core group of professional energy practitioners to help data centers reduce their energy demands and accelerate energy savings.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.

TEP Urges Solar Rebates Be Reduced
Tucson Electric Power Co. (TEP) has requested state regulators for lower subsidies for residential customers who install solar arrays. According to the utility, it is running out of funding for the rebates amid a surge in demand. Nearly 1,100 local homeowners have reserved TEP's SunShare rebates for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems this year, as reported in a recent article by the Arizona Daily Star, surpassing the total number of residential solar power systems completed over the previous nine years combined.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.

NLB Urges Commercial Enterprises to Use Lighting Rebate Program
A comprehensive cash-for-clunker-lighting program already exists, says the National Lighting Bureau (NLB), but far too few commercial-lighting decision-makers are using it. According to NLB President Howard P. Lewis, by qualifying for the Commercial Building Tax Deduction (CBTD), commercial-lighting-system owners can derive a tax benefit to help offset the cost of a new lighting system or lighting-system improvement, up to $0.60/sq ft.

To read more on this story, visit EC&M's website.

Project Watch
Electrical Services in Alabama
The City of Huntsville, Ala., is seeking bids for electrical services. The deadline for bids is 2 p.m. CST on August 17. For more information, visit the city's eBids website.

High-Voltage Maintenance and Repair in California
The City of Anaheim is soliciting bids for high-voltage electrical maintenance and repair at a substation. A mandatory jobwalk is scheduled for 10 a.m. PST on August 18. Bids are due at 2 p.m. PST on September 8. For more information, you may download the bid information from the city's website.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Falcon Electric moved into a new facility in Irwindale, Calif. The new facility was built with energy-saving techniques, including the installation of skylights and water-saving appliances, as well as more efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems.

For more Business Briefs, visit the EC&M website.

CPUC Addresses Regulatory Authority to Create Strong Market for Electrical Vehicle Charging
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently concluded that companies that sell electric vehicle charging services to the public will not be regulated as “public utilities” pursuant to the Public Utilities Code.

To read more about this ruling, visit the EC&M website.

New Labels for Light Bulb Packaging in 2011
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), starting in mid-2011, consumers shopping for light bulbs will notice new labeling on packaging designed to help them choose among the different types of bulbs on the market — traditional incandescent bulbs, newer high-efficiency compact fluorescent (CFL), and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The new labels will enable consumers to save money by selecting the most efficient bulbs that best fit their lighting needs.

To read more about light bulb labeling, visit the EC&M website.

Fluorescent Magnetic T12 Ballasts Exit the Market
Beginning in 2005, efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy regulations were phased into effect, covering magnetic ballasts designed to operate full-wattage F40T12, F96T12, and F96T12HO lamps. Last month, these efficiency standards entered their final phase, all but eliminating magnetic T12 ballasts from the market. A few recognized exceptions are being made, however.

For more information on T12 phase-out, visit the EC&M website.

Eye on Safety
NTSB Blames Electronic Circuit for 2009 Metro Crash
At a recent hearing, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited a failure to employ a system-wide circuit test as the cause for a June 2009 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (Metro) train crash that killed eight passengers and a train operator. Federal investigators reported that the collision occurred because Metro's automatic signal system failed to detect a circuit failure in the track-based system designed to maintain the trains at a safe distance from one another.

The NTSB also said the transit agency failed to replace or retrofit the type of older model rail cars involved in the accident after their crash-worthiness was questioned following previous accidents. This, investigators said, contributed to the number of fatalities and to the severity of injuries. NSTB blamed the metro's overall "anemic safety culture" for the failure to prevent the crash.

Call for Papers
Lightfair International 2011
Lightfair International is accepting submittals for speakers for Lightfair International 2011, scheduled for May 15-19 in Philadelphia. Suggested topics include lighting project management, lighting design in BIM, digital lighting controls, and electrical basics for designers of lighting. The deadline for submittals is September 13. For more information, download the call for speakers pdf.

Shows & Events
IES Street & Area Lighting Conference
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) presents its 29th annual Street and Area Lighting Conference from September 26-29 in Huntington Beach, Calif. Course topics to be presented at this year's event include energy efficiency, LED specification and design fundamentals, street light outage tracking system, and light level calculations and photometric studies. For more information and to register, visit the IES website.

Code Change Conferences Are Coming
The 2011 NEC is coming. Will you be ready for the changes? By attending one of EC&M's Code Change Conferences, presented by NEC expert Mike Holt and sponsored by EC&M University, you'll learn everything you need to know about major NEC changes that will impact your work, whether you're an electrician, electrical engineer, electrical designer, plant/facility electrical maintenance person, or electrical inspector. Check out the following conferences for a location and time that's right for you.

• Atlanta October 11-12, 2010, Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport Hotel
• St. Louis October 18-19, Sheraton Westport Hotel Lakeside Chalet
• Chicago November 1-2, Hyatt Regency Rosemont
• Seattle November 8-9, Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
• Philadelphia November 29-30, Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue
• Boston December 6-7, Venue to be determined
• Orlando December 13-14, Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport