ABI Rises Almost Two Points in July
Following a two-month soft patch, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) rose almost two full points in July. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine- to twelve-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Washington, D.C.-based American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently reported the July ABI score was 47.9, up from a reading of 46.0 the previous month. This score reflects a continued decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index dropped substantially from 57.7 to 53.1.

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Demand for Industrial Controls Increases During the Second Quarter of 2010
Rosslyn, Va.-based NEMA's Primary Industrial Controls Index increased 6.4% in the second quarter of 2010 versus the first quarter. Overall, the index has registered four consecutive quarter-to-quarter increases and is now 24.8% above its year-ago level — representing the largest year-over-year percentage gain since late 1992. However, even with this improvement, inflation- and seasonally-adjusted shipments remain more than 18% below their cyclical peak from two years earlier. The Primary Industrial Controls and Adjustable Speed Drives Index, a broader measure of demand for industrial controls products, posted a smaller 1.7% quarter-to-quarter rate of growth during the second quarter of 2010 and increased nearly 24% on a year-over-year basis.

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CCCA Commends UL's Public Notice Disqualifying Non-Compliant Cable
The Communications Cable and Connectivity Association, Inc. (CCCA), Washington, D.C., recently applauded action by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, Ill., to stem the flow of non-compliant communications cable being imported into the North American market. According to CCCA, UL has taken strong actions to maintain the integrity of its UL mark and cable performance certifications by publicly identifying manufacturers and their distributors who are supplying substandard and unsafe cable products into the market. In addition, UL has established further initiatives to verify the integrity of UL-listed cables through detailed analytical testing of cable component materials and new marketplace surveillance. These efforts by UL are, in part, a result of CCCA sharing information and encouraging each of the two independent testing/certification agencies to develop stronger measures to assure compliance to national fire safety codes and telecommunications industry standards for transmission performance.

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Project Watch
Electrical Construction Contract in Missouri
St. Louis-based design-build contractor Murray Co. is accepting bids for electrical construction work on a new 35,100 sq. ft. one-story hospital addition and renovation to Scotland County Memorial Hospital, Memphis, Mo. Bids are due at 2 p.m. CST on September 1. For more information, contact Josh Grensebach by phone at (314) 576-2818 or e-mail at jgrenzebach@murray-company.com.

Fire Alarm System Installation in New York
Tishman/Turner, A Joint Venture, New York, on behalf of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is soliciting bids for fire alarm system work for the World Trade Center Transportation Hub project. Scope of work includes fire alarm system, signaling devices, conduits, and control panels. Deadline to submit bids is 2 p.m. EST on September 2. For more information, visit www.tishmanturnerjv.com.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
PowerSecure International, Inc. has established a partnership with Schneider Electric to bring PowerSecure's Interactive Distributed Generation (IDG) smart grid power systems to hospitals. Under the terms of this new partnership, Schneider Electric will offer hospitals across North America PowerSecure's IDG power systems.

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Motors Index Surges in Second Quarter of 2010
NEMA’s Motors Shipments Index (MSI) rose 7.8% during the second quarter of 2010. On a year-over-year basis, the index registered a 16.1% rate of growth but remains approximately 16% below its peak. Of the index's two underlying categories, seasonally- and inflation-adjusted shipments of fractional horsepower motors accounted for the entirety of the quarter’s growth while demand for integral horsepower motors remained surprisingly lackluster, particularly given the solid growth occurring in the broader manufacturing sector.

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Stanford Engineers Discover New Solar Energy Conversion Process
A new process discovered and proven by Stanford engineers simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity, potentially offering more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology. Dubbed "photon enhanced thermionic emission" or PETE, the process could lower the costs of solar energy production enough for it to compete with oil as an energy source.

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Stimulus Helps Construction Spending Post Small Gain in June
Total construction spending eked out a slight rise in June as gains in stimulus-aided public categories offset decreases in homebuilding and private nonresidential spending, according to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) in a recent analysis of new Census Bureau data.

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Eye on Safety
OSHA Cites USPS Facilities with Electrical Safety Violations
Allegations of serious safety violations at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Network Distribution Center in Kansas City, Kan., have prompted a review of electrical violations at postal facilities nationwide. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the bulk mail facility for seven repeat and 21 serious violations of federal workplace safety laws. In addition to proposing a $191,000 penalty for the Kansas City, Kan., facility, the U.S. Department of Labor filed a complaint asking the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the Postal Service to correct electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide.

Recently, the Portsmouth, N.H.-based mail processing and distribution center faced $350,000 in fines for allegations electrical equipment that left employees open to severe and potentially deadly hazards of electrical shock. OSHA also alleges the workers weren't provided with protective gear and were inadequately trained. In Dayton, Ohio, the Postal Service faces a total of $225,000 in fines for electrical and equipment hazards following an OSHA inspection conducted in response to employee complaints.

Shows & Events
NECA 2010
The 2010 NECA Convention will take place from October 2-5 in Boston. Topics for technical workshops at this year's event include advanced lighting controls, smart grid technologies, banking and surety, safety, and government affairs. For more information and to register to attend, visit the NECA 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