N.J.'s clean-energy advocates fear job losses

Last week, when Gov. Chris Christie froze unspent funds in many agency budgets to cover the state’s $2.2 billion shortfall, he appropriated $158 million from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Fund, the engine behind one of the few bright spots in New Jersey’s economy, the renewable energy industry. Advocates of the Clean Energy Program, which is administered by the Board of Public Utilities, say losing the $158 million could result in lower grant and rebate amounts this year, endangering thousands of jobs and setting back the state’s solar industry, the largest in the country after California.
“If they lower the rebates, projects could be canceled,” said Dolores Phillips, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association. “It will undermine our ability to do business.”
In a further blow to the Garden State’s struggling economy, loss of the money would remove as much as $800 million in economic activity, according to the State Senate Environment and Energy Committee, which uses a factor of five in calculating the program’s economic impact.
Christie directed the Treasury Department earlier this month to freeze $158 million of the program’s funds, saying the money had not been committed to projects and was just sitting in the account. He reiterated that position Thursday during a meeting with business leaders in Burlington County.   read more

4 Tips on Buying CFLs for Your Business | GreenerBuildings.com

In this tight economy, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to cut operational expenses and provide service to their customers. One area that offers opportunities to save now is lighting for your offices and buildings.

Starting in January 2012, all lamp technology sold in the U.S., including both incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) will be required to meet efficiency requirements set by the Energy Independence Security Act.

Currently most incandescent bulbs do not meet these requirements leaving room for the growing CFL market to brighten. A money-saving and environmentally friendly way to do so is to start to convert your building's lighting to CFLs.
According to Energy Star, each CFL bulb installed saves an average of $5.41 in energy costs, 51 kilowatt hours and 78 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The number of CFL shipments has grown tremendously from 21 million lamps in 2000 to 397 million lamps in 2007.

Below are some tips from testing and certification organization CSA International on what to look for when purchasing CFLs:

1. Choose only a CFL that is certified by a nationally recognized testing and certification organization to ensure it has been tested and certified to the applicable standards for safety and performance. A certification mark should appear on both the product and the packaging.

2. Choose an Energy Star qualified CFL to ensure it will provide the greatest amount of energy savings. Energy Star Qualified CFLs also have a minimum two-year warranty.

3. Choose the bulb that best suits the fixture. CFLs with globes are available in various sizes and shapes to fit most fixtures. They look similar to traditional incandescent bulbs and may look better in fixtures with exposed bulbs.

4. Determine how much light is needed. Check you fixture to ensure the light is the proper size and wattage. Light output is described as "brightness" and is measured in lumens.

The chart below shows the energy use in watts of an incandescent light compared to the energy use of a standard CFL for the same amount of brightness.

Subject: 2008 NEC and the Rehab Subcode

Subject: 2008 NEC and the Rehab Subcode 

Updating the Rehabilitation Subcode to the NEC/2008 has been delayed. Therefore, the Department is hereby reminding all code users that any work done in an existing building or dwelling continues to be required to comply with the NEC/2005, which is referenced in the rehabilitation subcode, materials and methods, N.J.A.C. 5:23- 6.8(d).

For example, when an existing service panel is changed or upgraded, no AFCI is required. However, an addition to an existing building is new construction. The addition only is required to comply with the 2008 NEC. Work in the existing building continues to be required to comply with NEC/2005. For dwelling units, AFCI for the addition will be required only if a new branch circuit is provided. It is important to remember that existing circuits in the existing dwelling may continue to be used.

Finally, if a permit applicant chooses to use the 2008 NEC, guidance is included in the Fall 2009 edition of the Construction Code Communicator.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Borek

Code Specialist

Grace period for previously adopted electrical code

On April 6, 2009, the State of NJ has adopted the National Electrical Code/2008 as the electrical subcode. As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.6, Grace period, for a period of six months following the operative date of a subcode revision, applicants may submit a complete permit application, including all prior approvals, to be reviewed under the code in force immediately preceding the subcode revision.
Provided that the application is complete, the construction official and applicable subcode officials shall perform the plan review and issue construction permit(s) based on the code in force immediately prior to the operative date of the subcode revision. This grace period shall apply only to revisions of subcodes.
Therefore, if an applicant would like to use the previously adopted electrical code, the National Electrical Code/2005, he or she must indicate which code they are using at the time of application. This complete permit application must be submitted prior to October 6, 2009.
Source: Code Assistance Unit
(609) 984-7609

Energy-Efficient Lighting Saves Canadian Tire $6M in 2009 · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives

Energy-Efficient Lighting Saves Canadian Tire $6M in 2009 · Environmental Leader · Green Business, Sustainable Business, and Green Strategy News for Corporate Sustainability Executives

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

All New Office Depots to be Built to Energy Efficient, LEED Standards

Home Depot looks to add businesses to its parking lots - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News | Sacramento Bee

Home Depot looks to add businesses to its parking lots

 Fast-food restaurants, banks or auto-parts stores are the most likely businesses that will pop up on those oceans of asphalt that are no longer practical, said Mike LaFerle, vice president of real estate and construction for the company.

 

Thinking about a solar energy system for your business? Here's some good news.

Thinking about a solar energy system for your business?

Here's some good news.

PSE&G has set aside millions of dollars to help finance the installation of solar power systems for residents, businesses, and organizations throughout our electric service area.
And that means you may be eligible for a loan from PSE&G that can help finance 40% – 60% of your qualified solar power installation.
What’s more, unlike other loans, you can elect to have the Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) your solar electric system generates to pay back your loan.
PSE&G will guarantee a fixed minimum price for the SRECs applied towards the repayment of your loan. If SREC market prices are higher than the floor price, PSE&G will credit your loan at the higher price. You get the safety of a floor price and the upside potential of higher SREC prices.
FACT: While SREC prices may seem high now, there is no guarantee on where they will be in 2, 5, or 10 years. If you lock in your SREC prices with PSE&G you can benefit from higher prices and have the security of a floor price.
PSE&G has simplified and improved the loan approval and closing process. It’s now easier than ever to get a Solar Loan.
It’s all part of PSE&G’s continuing efforts to encourage the development and installation of clean, renewable energy technologies throughout New Jersey.

For Users Who Have Forgotten " Everything "

Click here  For Users Out Of School Many Years   

  For Users Who Are Not Proficient With The Material  

  For Users Who Did Not Take All Exam-Subjects In School    

  For Users Who Are Not Engineering Majors 

  For Users Out Of School Many Years  

E-Training click here

E-Training

Low Cost, Long Life LED Light Bulbs

Switching to more efficient, longer-lasting light bulbs may not seem to be that much of a big deal. Yet in reality it is. The important factors that we need to consider in this context is that the net effects resulting from enormous numbers of small things; which when added up, tend to completely swamp the overall effects of a few big changes.

The Benefits

Instant Illumination – Unlike the current crop of eco-bulbs these new LED bulbs fully illuminate instantly
Flicker-Free – The new LEDs do not flicker. Flickering light bulbs; especially subliminal flicker, which has for quite some time now been closely linked to or the causative of migraine headaches and epileptic seizures
Long Life – The new LED light bulbs are rated as having an average working life of 100,000 hours (over 60 years of normal use) which is 10 times that of the current generation of eco-friendly light bulbs.
Improved Efficiency – These new bulbs are 12 times more efficient than tungsten bulbs and three times more efficient than current fluorescent bulbs.
No Mercury – The new bulbs are totally mercury free; which is an environmental benefit of considerable significance. It also makes their eventual disposal far less damaging to the environment.
Fiscal Savings – This lighting technology could conservatively slash the average household’s lighting bill by up to three-quarters. Business

on the other hand could expect to reap lighting bill savings in excess of 20% of their current lighting expenditure. It is estimated that the retail price of these new LEDs will be around $2 per unit.

WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY

NJ unemployment rate hits highest mark in nearly 33 years

MORE TWEETS

Tips For Getting More Twitter Followers

Feb 12, 2010 -

Ashton Kutcher and CNN rank high in the “most popular” category when it comes Twitter -- Kutcher’s @aplusk commands nearly 4.5 million followers, and CNN's @cnnbrk boasts almost 3 million.

Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors

NEW JERSEY LEAD CERTIFICATION

• * EPA Certification is Mandatory for Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters & more.
• * Civil & Criminal Penalties for Non Compliance is $32,500.00 Per Violation - Per Day
• * Enforcement will be through EPA inspections and more importantly Law Firms advertising cash settlements for homeowners from Contractors that do not comply.

The required 8 hour training will take place at: LEW Corporation,

1090 Bristol Road, Mountainside, NJ  07092,  

Choose from two dates: Wednesday, February 17,

                                   Saturday February 20,                             

                7:30 am - 8:00 Registration * 8:00 AM Hard Start

•  

NJ IEC NAMED CHAPTER OF THE YEAR PAC

They should have went with the central air instead of exhaust Fans

 

N.J. | NewJerseyNewsroom.com -- Your State. Your News.

N.J. | NewJerseyNewsroom.com -- Your State. Your News.

Solar Install New Jersey

Enough solar energy equipment has been installed in New Jersey in the past three years that it would meet the electricity needs for more than 15,000 houses

All Wired Up!

Here is a guy who is really into his work


 

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOAL SETTING

1.	Thou Shall Be Decisive
	Success is a choice. You must decide what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it. No one else can, will, or should do that for you.
2.	Thou Shall Stay Focused
	A close relative to being decisive, but your ability to sustain your focus from beginning to end determines the timing and condition of your outcomes.
3.	Thou Shall Welcome Failure
	The fundamental question is not whether you should accept failure. You have no choice but to expect it as a temporary condition on the path way of progress. Rather, the question is how to anticipate failure and redirect resources to grow from the experience.
4.	Thou Shall Write Down Thy Goals
	Your mind while blessed with permanent memory is cursed with lousy recall. People forget things. Avoid the temptation of being cute; Write down your goals.
5.	Thou Shall Plan Thoroughly
	Planning saves 10 to 1 in execution. Proper planning prevents poor performance.
6.	Thou Shall Involve Others
	Nobody goes through life alone. Establish your own "Personal Board of Directors", people whose wisdom, knowledge and character you respect to help you achieve your goals.
7.	Thou Shall Take Purposeful Action
	Success is not a spectator sport - achievement demands action. You cannot expect to arrive at success without having made the trip.
8.	Thou Shall Reward Thyself
	Rewards work! Think of what you will give yourself as a result of your hard work, focus and persistence - you deserve it!
9.	Thou Shall Inspect What Thy Expect
	The Shelf life of all plans is limited. No plan holds up against opposition. Everything changes. Therefore inspect frequently and closely, it's an insurance policy on your success.
10.	Thou Shall Maintain Personal Integrity
	Maintain your commitment to your commitment. Set your goals, promise yourself that you will achieve them. Eliminate wiggle room and excuses. That's personal integrity!

Assembly Budget

Assembly Budget panel will consider Christie proposals on Wednesday

By Editor | February 12th, 2010 - 11:44am

 

Assembly Budget Committee will meet on Wednesday to hear testimony on Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to deal with the state’s budget shortfall. 

Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-East Orange) told the committee to meet so it can begin analyzing Christie’s plan and “give it the transparency that it so far has lacked and the public deserves.”
“Gov. Christie’s ill-advised plan steers New Jerseyans toward property tax increases, potential hospital closures and the possibility of higher tuition and transit fares that are no different than tax hikes,” said Greenwald (D-Voorhees). “It also kills job creation. On top of all that, Gov. Christie kept his plan secret and executed it without any public discussion. This is undemocratic and an affront to residents and businesses alike.”
The hearing is scheduled for 10 AM Wednesday in Trenton, and will be streamed live at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/live_audio.asp        

53 Ways to Become a Better Entrepreneur

Do you want to become a better entrepreneur? Well who doesn’t, right?

Over the past 8 years I have started around 9 companies. Sadly most of them failed, but the good news is, I have learned a lot over the years. Some of these things maybe obvious to you, while others may not, but none-the-less there will be something that will be beneficial to you.

Here are 53 things to keep in mind if you want to be a better entrepreneur:

IEC Member "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

IEC Member Hawkins Electric Service, Inc. to Appear on
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" This Sunday IEC member Hawkins Electric Service, Inc., a full-service residential and commercial electrical contractor that has served the Washington, DC/Baltimore region since 1918, joined with ABC Television's Emmy-award winning reality TV show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and partnered with area builders to provide electrical services for two structures that were built. The show will air this Sunday, February 14, 2010, 9 - 11 pm, ET on ABC (check your local listings).

DSIRE SOLAR

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

PASSAIC COUNTY ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Since 1965 the PCECA has been dedicated to creating an environment of growth and professional harmony for it's members by providing high quality continuing education courses that advance vocational knowledge and professional skills. Our membership aspires to provide the highest quality electrical installation and service practices. We continue to work tirelessly to address the concerns of our member electrical contractors through our involvement with the State Licensing Board.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

Colin Powell
US general (1937 - )

THE RAT TAMER

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

It's all right letting yourself go as long as you can let yourself back.

Mick Jagger
English rock singer (1943 - )

Welcome to New Jersey IEC

The New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
is a trade association for merit shop electrical and systems contractors.

Live the Dream | 13 Ways to Improve Your Life

Benjamin Franklin is regarded as one of the wisest and most practical men in history. The following list describes the most important standards he ever subscribed to. In his autobiography, Franklin dedicated fifteen pages to this short list of principles – the most he had ever dedicated to one subject. He felt that he owed all of his success and happiness to this plan and concluded that he hoped “therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.” Although Franklin was revered as wise, he did not always come across this way. So if you are wondering if you are feeling up to the task, consider this: Benjamin Franklin had only two years of schooling; and now, 150 years after his death, the world’s greatest universities are still showering him with honors! If a man with TWO years of education could make this work, we would be considered foolish not to try it.


Live the Dream | 13 Ways to Improve Your Life