Around the Circuit
November 2010 National Employment Report
Private-sector employment increased by 93,000 from October to November on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report. The estimated change of employment from September to October was revised up from the previously reported increase of 43,000 to an increase of 82,000.

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Manufacturing Technology Consumption up 83.2% Year-to-Date
October U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $387.13 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total, as reported by companies participating in the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption (USMTC) program, was down 2.5% from September but up 154.9% when compared with the total of $151.86 million reported for October 2009. With a year-to-date total of $2,477.06 million, 2010 is up 83.2% compared with 2009.

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

Improvement Seen in Both Current and Expected North American Business Conditions in November
The Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American business conditions climbed 14.5 points in November, rising to 62.5 from 48.0 a month ago. With a reading above 50 indicating more panelists than not reporting better conditions than a month ago, and vice-versa, these results show widespread improvement in the business environment across the electroindustry in November, in contrast to the modest deterioration seen in October.

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

DOE Releases GATEWAY Report on Chicago Field Museum Accent Lighting
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published the final report from a demonstration conducted at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, to evaluate the feasibility of replacing halogen accent lighting with LED accent lighting. This GATEWAY demonstration report provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, economic performance, and potential energy savings.

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

Project Watch
Residential Electrical Upgrades in Wisconsin
The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (MITW), Keshena, Wis., is seeking proposals for residential electrical materials and installation for 34 homes. Scope of work includes installing new fixtures, testing exposed wiring, and bringing exposed wiring up to compliance with the state's dwelling code. The deadline to submit proposals is 2 p.m. CST on January 5. For more information, visit the MITW website.

Street Light Maintenance in California
The city clerk, acting on behalf of the Public Works Department, is receiving sealed bids up until 2 p.m. on January 12 for a three-year contract for street lighting maintenance and repair services for the City of American Canyon, Calif. For more information, visit the city's website.

Web Exclusives
Business Brief
Rockville, Md.-based Standard Solar recently announced a partnership with Sol Systems, Washington, D.C. The partnership will help make alternative energy solutions more affordable for Standard Solar customers.

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

Third-Quarter 2010 Lighting Systems Index Improves
Third-quarter 2010 NEMA Lighting Systems Index (LSI) performance bested the second quarter's by 0.9% and was 5.6% ahead of third-quarter 2009's, the 2010 National Lighting Bureau (NLB) recently reported.

To read more about the results of the NLB report, visit the EC&M website.

57.9 Million Smart Meters Planned for Installation in the United States
Smart electric meters, which use 2-way communications networks to enable frequent readings of electricity consumption, are at the forefront of the utility world's transition to a smarter electrical grid. According to a new tracking report from Pike Research, utilities' plans for smart meters are well underway, and the market intelligence firm estimates that a total of 57.9 million smart meters are already planned to be installed by more than 90 utilities in the United States.

To read more about the installation of smart meters, visit the EC&M website.

Eye on Safety
Electrical Worker Dies From Fall
An electrical worker from Appleton, Wis., died and a co-worker was critically injured the morning of December 2 after they fell 30 ft from scaffolding at a Howard, Wis.-based paper company. Michael M. Leroy, 41, of Appleton, Wis., who worked for Faith Technologies, Menasha, Wis., and was killed in the accident, was performing routine electrical maintenance at the facility at the time of the incident. For more information, read the complete story on the Green Bay Press Gazette.

Shows & Events
IBS 2011
The NAHB International Builders' Show will take place from January 12-15 in Orlando, Fla. Topics for sessions at this year's event include advanced green building, understanding housing markets and consumers, project management, estimating, and luxury products and designs. For more information and to register, visit www.buildersshow.com.

2011 BICSI Winter Conference & Exposition
The 2011 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition is scheduled for January 16-20 in Orlando, Fla. Sessions include "Telecommunications Cable: Specifying and Installing Products in Compliance with Fire Safety and Transmission Performance," "Cabling Jeopardy — Test Your Knowledge Against Our Contestants," and “Data Center — Underfloor Versus Overhead Cabling." For more information and to register, visit www.bicsi.org.

Electric West 2011
Electric West is scheduled for February 22-24 in Long Beach, Calif. Topics for this year's sessions include:

• Business Practices & Profitability
• Code Changes & Standards
• Design
• Lighting
• Safety
• Measurement and Testing
• Power Quality and Reliability
• Renewable Technologies/Green Business
• Residential/Industrial/Commercial Applications