Even though tablets and smart phones are spreading onto construction jobsites at a swift pace, chief financial officers from major A/E/C firms say technology purchases must come with solid returns on investment as part of that adoption. This was one of many technology issues highlighted during the two-day ENR FutureTech conference held by McGraw-Hill Construction in San Francisco this week. Two panel discussions, “Chief Information Officer Roundtable” and “IT from the CFO Perspective,” on Dec. 13 reinforced the industry-wide movement to bring information technology to the job site and free it from a jobsite’s trailer and home office. But how to
Seeking a stronger representation with unions over the next decade, two Northern California-based union contractor trade associations are combining under a new name, United Contractors. The Engineering & Utility Contractors Association (EUCA), San Ramon, and the Association of Engineering Construction Employers (AECE), Sacramento, have worked together on a number of labor issues for more than 20 years, so it makes sense to combine resources to “meet contractor challenges” head on, said EUCA CEO Mark Breslin.“There has been lots of overlap,” he said.At a special membership meeting in San Ramon Wednesday, Breslin laid out the plan for United Contractors, which, he
SnapShot December 5, 2011 Submitted By: Henry Cabala Henry Cabala Photography South Pasadena Cabala, who was assigned to photograph the Kravis Center, ENR California’s Best Regional Project, said, "The approach in photographing the complex from the courtyard was to accentuate the light from the nearly all-glass larger structure and the all-glass ’living room’ by shooting a number of dawn and dusk shots to create the feeling of light emanating from inside the structure outward." Photographer: Henry Cabala
Lorraine White has joined GEI Consultants Inc., Sacramento, as its water-energy program manager. Before moving to the geotechnical, environmental, water resources and ecological science and engineering firm, White served as the state Energy Commission's lead on California's water-energy nexus, representing the commission in regulatory policy deliberations at the California Public Utilities Commission, the Dept. of Water Resources and the Water Energy sub-team of the governor's Climate Action Team. She also helped the state develop and implement a wide variety of resource efficiency, environmental protection and clean-energy development policies.Scott Kruse and Tom O'Neil were appointed senior principals at DLR Group. The
North of San Francisco, the North Bay’s first commuter rail line is inching toward construction. Meandering through the hilly suburbs of Marin County and the farms and vineyards of Sonoma County, the new rail line is designed to relieve pressure from the jam-packed 101 Freeway, providing a less stressful ride for North Bay commuters. Image courtesy of Sumitomo Corp. of America SMART has purchased 18 Diesel Multiple Units from Sumitomo Corp. of America. As the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system moves ahead, other California rail projects—such as the $100-billion San Francisco-to-Anaheim high-speed rail line—are hitting some speed bumps.Last month, the
After recently earning a LEED for New Construction platinum certification, DPR's San Diego office can now claim to be the first and only net-zero energy and LEED platinum certified commercial office in the city based on its size. The company-owned regional headquarters is a 24,000-sq-ft building located in University City.To be eligible for a net-zero rating, a building must be capable of producing at least as much energy from renewable sources within a year to compensate for what it draws from the grid. Over the last year, DPR's San Diego office generated nearly 12,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) more than it consumed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently gave the go-ahead to the city of Palmdale to construct and operate the nation’s first-of-its-kind hybrid power plant. The EPA’s permit begins the construction planning session for a 570-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant with 50 megawatts of solar energy generation. The city estimates that commercial operations can begin in summer 2013.According to Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest Region, the permit sets limits for carbon dioxide emissions at 774 lbs per megawatt-hour of power produced, while the clean solar component can generate enough energy each hour to recharge about 750 electric
AGC recently held its annual Fall Conference and Division and State Boards of Directors Meetings in Indian Wells. The meetings and conference drew many of the state’s top construction industry leaders, who elected the association’s leadership for 2012 and focused on the future goals and direction of AGC. Photo by Carol Eaton AGC of California's Elected Leaders for 2012Top leadership of the AGC of California for 2012, elected by the State Board of Directors on October 28 in Indian Wells, will include (left to right) Immediate Past President Gerry DiIoli, Herzog Contracting Corp., Oceanside.; Vice President Curt Weltz, Flatiron West,
UC Davis West Village recently made its official debut as the largest planned zero net energy community in the country. Photo courtesy of UC Davis West Village UC Davis West Village Located on the University of California, Davis campus, the 130-acre development is designed to generate as much energy each year as it consumes.Completion of major elements of UC Davis West Village’s $300 million first phase includes 315 apartments, 42,500 square feet of commercial space, a recreation center and village square. More than 800 residents have moved into the initial phase within the past month.When completed, the development will be
During 2011, AGC of California’s Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has been in full swing to fulfill its mission to help cultivate the next generation of leaders in the construction industry with a variety of events held throughout the year, including a recent “Legends in Leadership” forum. The CLC’s purpose is to act as a conduit for participants to network, exchange ideas about work and the industry, and gain continuing education, including both professional development and leadership skills.The “Legends” forum in Fullerton brought together nearly 50 attendees to hear from three of the best minds in the construction industry today. With
RSS