NEMA Currents Blog

Storing the Energy of the Future

Today, DOE announced $104.7 million in funding for projects at seven DOE National Laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. One of the project types is for Advanced Battery Prototype Fabrication and Testing Facilities. In the press...

Published Wed, Nov 18 2009 7:38 PM by goodwina

Filed under: PHEVs, Energy Storage

The Politics and Policy of Job Creation

This week House and Senate leaders announced that Congress will do something to respond to rising unemployment before they adjourn for the year. I don't know any economist -- or anyone else, for that matter -- who would argue that the current 10.2% unemployment rate and lack of job creation in this...

Published Wed, Nov 18 2009 4:00 AM by Owen, Sarah

Filed under: Regulation, EFCA, Health Care, Congress, Tax, Jobs

A Small Problem?

The devastating consequences created by the residential mortgage market’s blow-up have been well documented. Now concerns over the broader impact of souring commercial real estate (CRE) loans are on the rise. The value of CRE loans outstanding is significantly smaller than residential loans ($3...

Published Fri, Nov 13 2009 3:22 PM by Lego, Brian

Filed under: Economics

Green in color only, sometimes. Concerns over advertising claims for Photoluminescent exit signage

Caveat Emptor, and Carry a Flashlight? Photoluminescent (PL) exit signs can be an excellent addition to the life safety outfitting of many facilities. Their ease of application and use lend them to be favored by many building operators and sometimes even required by life safety codes. However, PL signage...

Published Thu, Nov 12 2009 12:11 PM by boesenberga

Filed under: signage, photo, photoluminescent, exit, life, sign, safety, PL, luminescent

Florida Dunks Residential Swimming Pool Safety

On June 9, 2009, the Florida Building Commission voted down a motion to reverse a previous decision exempting the requirement for GFCIs on residential swimming pools. NEMA supported by a local electrical contractor provided testimony to support the reversal of the earlier decision. But representatives...

Published Wed, Nov 11 2009 12:11 PM by baclawskiv

Veterans' Day

The difference between Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day I have noticed that many (even within the media) confuse the meaning and are not aware of the difference between the Veterans' and Memorial Day Holidays. Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result...

Published Tue, Nov 10 2009 2:28 PM by Buckson, William

WHY HARMONIZE?

Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way The time intervals between the initiation of harmonization projects and the publication of the developed standards as well as their adherence to a realistic maintenance cycle are cause for concerns by industry given the state of today’s economy. While global...

Published Tue, Nov 10 2009 2:20 PM by Buckson, William

Bad News on Jobs

Even as numerous indicators suggest that the economy is emerging from recession, one of the most important of all continues to worsen. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the unemployment rate rose to 10.2% in October (subscription required), its highest since April 1983. Statistics like...

Published Fri, Nov 06 2009 4:16 PM by Gill, Tim

Filed under: Economy

Touting "No Layoff" Companies

Economic times are tough for all U.S. manufacturers, and many have had to lay off employees. But some advanced manufacturing facilities have opted not to fire anyone, event if it means switching their roles until production picks back up. You can count NEMA members among the companies that are keeping...

Published Thu, Nov 05 2009 9:45 AM by golds

Filed under: Economy, manufacturing

Hope for Faster Permitting in Siting Transmission Corridors

The federal government took steps recently to speed up the approval process for electricity transmission lines. Or at least, to speed up the permitting on federal lands. An agreement between the White House and eight federal agencies puts one agency in charge of the cumbersome process of approving transmission...

Published Tue, Nov 03 2009 1:00 PM by golds

Filed under: Smart Grid

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