Electical Contractor

If Americans were ever to develop a case of information overload, now would certainly be the time. However, according to the data, there isn’t any sign of that happening soon.

A new study by Emerging Energy Research (EER), an analyst of renewable-energy markets, forecasts substantial growth during the next 10 years for global offshore wind.

Deteriorating demand for construction services continued to drag on the economy as new federal figures show another 53,000 construction workers lost their jobs in December 2009 and the industry’s unemployment rate climbed to 22.7 percent, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.

Underscoring the continued weakness of the nation’s housing market, sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 11.3 percent in November 2009 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 355,000 units, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department.

Leading construction experts and economists agree that the economy is emerging from its deepest and longest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Even with a modest boost from government stimulus dollars, it will be a very slow crawl out of recession and into recovery.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions increased for a third straight month and topped the 50-point threshold indicative of expansion for a second straight month in September.

One of the greatest obstacles preventing widespread use of solar power on the rooftops of homes and businesses is the prohibitive cost of installing the systems.

In 2008, fires caused more than $15.5 billion in direct property loss, but overall, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) reported a decline in fire losses from the previous year. Fires in residential properties accounted for $8.6 billion.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions jumped nearly 12 points to 53.3 in August, an indication that the business environment facing electrical equipment manufacturers improved during the month.