The space shuttle may not lift off from Florida's "Space Coast" anymore, but an upcoming launch of new power-generation technology on a $970-million plant modernization near Cape Canaveral will raise the output of the state's largest electric utility while providing cleaner power, thanks to the first use of some of the world's most efficient gas turbines. Though set to go online June 1 as originally planned, construction of the 1,250-MW Florida Power & Light combined-cycle natural gas powerplant is running about six weeks ahead of schedule, despite serious labor shortages along the way. Related Links: Building Critical Biomass Imploding the
Gerald Seeber, the Tampa Bay Water general manager who urged the utility to pursue an expensive and as-yet unsuccessful lawsuit against HDR Engineering over cracking at its reservoir, has told the group he is seeking employment elsewhere. Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Water The $129-million renovation of Tampa Bay Water's 15.5-billion gallon reservoir in Lithia, Fla., kicked off Feb. 8. A few days later, it was announced that current general manager Gerald Seeber would be stepping down. Related Links: Tampa Bay Water General Manager Job Listing Facing New Sinkhole Concerns, Tampa Bay Water Cancels Reservoir Expansion Tampa Bay Water Opts for
Photo Courtesy of Tampa Bay Water The new project's design aims to eliminate any chance of future cracking. Related Links: Concerns Over Sinkholes Scuttle Tampa Bay Water's Reservoir Expansion Viewpoint: In Tampa Bay Water v. HDR, Fiscal Prudence Falls Through the Cracks Tampa Bay Water General Manager job listing Eight Semifinalists in Running to Replace Temple Terrace City Manager Gerald Seeber, the Tampa Bay Water general manager who urged the utility to pursue an expensive and as-yet unsuccessful lawsuit against HDR Engineering over cracking at its reservoir, has told the group he is seeking employment elsewhere.The pending move was made
Project owners are concerned about the current and future availability of skilled workers amid an ongoing debate over the nation's immigration laws, which affect jobsites. These were just two of the top-of-mind issues noted by the owners who attended the Associated Builders & Contractors' annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last month.Carl Crowe, vice president of construction for Walmart Stores Inc., Bentonville, Ark., cited a shortage of refrigeration subcontractors and told non-union building executives at the event that the retailer has even started recruiting high-school students into the building trades. "All of us have to help young people see those
Last year, when single-handedly driving his motor coach across the country -- covering about 20,000 miles in the process -- to most of engineer Professional Service Industries' roughly 100 offices, the big danger Randy Larson faced wasn't the driving conditions. It was the possibility that the five-month outreach and team-building tour by the Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., firm's new president might become "The Larson Show." It was something "we really had to guard against," he says. Photo by Scott Judy Randy Larson, president of Professional Service Industries, hit the road in 2012 to visit as many of his new company's employees
Utility Duke Energy announced on Feb. 5 that it is canceling previous plans to repair its damaged Crystal River nuclear plant in Citrus County, Fla. Instead, the company says it will build a new natural-gas powerplant elsewhere in the state to replace the retired 914-MW facility. Photo courtesy Duke Energy Progress Energy Florida initiated a project to replace generators at the Crystal River nuclear plant, but the work caused cracking in the containment dome. Attempts at repair failed. Related Links: Crystal River's Controversial Repairs Central to Duke Energy Hearings Duke Study: Crystal River Repairs Could Hit $3.4 Billion Does Ouster
Unsatisfied with Brasfield & Gorrie’s response to a recent threat of contract termination—known as a cure notice—the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) ratcheted up the heat on Jan. 31 by issuing a show cause notice to the contractor over its performance on a nearly $300-million hospital project in Orlando. Photo by Scott Judy The Dept. of Veterans Affairs has issued a Show Cause notice to hospital contractor Brasfield & Gorrie. The contractor has until Feb. 11 to respond or face termination from the project. Related Links: Congress Seeks Elusive Answers About Troubled VA Project Construction CEO's Testimony Offers Glimpse
DPR Construction, the California-based building contractor and construction manager that has built itself into a $2-billion-a-year business on high-tech construction and a push for innovation, is making moves to expand its footprint. And the company’s first step in that direction is starting in the Southeast. Photo: NY Focus Photography DPR Construction built the Max Planck Florida Institute project, located in Jupiter, Fla. Related Links: California-based DPR is Set to Buy Hardin Construction In its first major purchase, DPR announced last month that it plans to buy Hardin Construction Co. LLC, the Atlanta-based general contractor. DPR, based in Redwood City, plans
Photo Courtesy of Duke Energy Duke Energy is planning to place its Crystal River nuclear plant in a "safe-storage configuration" until final decommissioning, which will take place in 40 to 60 years. Related Links: Cost and Schedule Explosion for Florida Nuclear Plant Repairs Crystal River Plant Fix Central to Duke CEO Ouster Florida, Progress Energy Reach Fix Plan for Crystal River Utility Duke Energy announced on Feb. 5 that it is canceling previous plans to repair its broken Crystal River nuclear plant in Citrus County, Fla. Instead, it will build a new natural-gas powerplant elsewhere in the state to replace
Photo by Scott Judy / ENR The VA issued its second cure notice in six months to Brasfield & Gorrie, the prime contractor for the nearly $300-million Orlando hospital project. Related Links: Congress Grills Contractor, VA About Troubled Orlando Project VA Issues First Threat to Terminate Contractor From Orlando Hospital Project Illegal Workers Found Hiding at VA Construction Site A $300-million veterans hospital project in Orlando that has been dubbed a "multimillion-dollar debacle" for cost and schedule overruns faces the potential for further delay after Birmingham, Ala.-based Brasfield & Gorrie received its second threat of contract termination in January.The U.S.
