First Energy Forum Makes Green Energy Market Accessible for Electrical Contractors

District 9 Vice President Stan Lazarian is a true believer when it comes to energy solutions, as witnessed by everyone who attended NECA’s first Energy Forum yesterday.

Over 250 electrical contractors and their employees participated in the event, which focused on numerous opportunities available for electrical contractors and their customers in renewable power technology and integrated, energy-efficient building systems. Lazarian, who chairs NECA’s Energy Solutions Task Force, has been a tireless cheerleader for both the Forum and these opportunities.

Alternative power and energy efficiency upgrades are the next boom market for contractors, Lazarian constantly preaches. But it’s hard for electrical contractors to know when it’s the right time for them to add new services to their traditional business model. Hence, the Energy Forum was born.

“While other companies are only interested in selling you the largest solar array that’ll fit on your roof, only a NECA contractor can give their customer honest data and a complete energy solution that’s going to lower their utility costs,” Lazarian said. “I think that’s wonderful. I think it’s something we should be proud of. But it means we have to make a transition at our companies to accommodate these new demands from our customers. But this is the way things will get better for our industry.”

The Forum dealt with three major factors that can get in the way of electrical contractors taking charge of the energy solutions market:

1. Understanding what the opportunities are.

Right now, there is tremendous momentum and incentives for sustainable construction. With those new energy markets come services like installing and maintaining electric vehicle supply equipment, designing “net-zero energy” buildings with integrated systems, and energy storage.

Energy work is “counter-cyclical” – meaning, that in tough economic times, customers want and need to save money on operating costs. Energy work is a revenue opportunity independent of the construction market. For building owners and operators, the savings and tax credits energy solutions deliver are very desirable. When an electrical contractor can help them save money, it doesn’t matter how healthy the rest of the construction market may be.

From utility-grade wind power, solar PV installations or helping a customer save on his electric bill by swapping out old ballasts for energy-efficient LED drivers, NECA’s 2011 Energy Forum covered all the options and opportunities in the new energy economy.

2. Real-world info from contracting colleagues about the different ways they’ve entered the market.

The good news is that many electrical contractors already have the technical knowledge to engage with these markets – but most don’t know how to integrate energy services into their existing businesses or market their capabilities to existing and potential customers.

There isn’t one right way to incorporate energy efficiency, conservation and renewable power into an electrical contracting company. Moderators and presenters at the Energy Forum all came from the front lines of the industry to help contractors answer when and how they can add new energy services to their traditional business models.

3. Resources and information

The Energy Forum was proposed by NECA’s Energy Solution Task Force. The Energy Forum covered concrete examples of how to become an energy solutions contractor by addressing some fundamental questions, like:

• Is there a tool I can use to show realistic projections for energy and cost savings to customers?
• What types of financing are available for renewable energy projects, and how could financing be impacted by future regulations?
• How do we integrate renewable energy and energy efficiency to ensure reliable power?

“There isn’t  a single path of entry for all NECA member companies to pursue this work,” Lazarian said. “The one thing we know for certain is if we don’t begin immediately offering our expertise and services, customers will go elsewhere to get their renewable and energy-efficiency needs met.”

>>PDF files of session presentations and handouts are now posted online at www.necanet.org/EF2011. 

2011 Board of Governors Convenes

Members of NECA’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors convened Oct. 21 to review one proposed bylaw amendment, two ordinary proposals and reports from the organization’s staff officers, committees, and task forces. NECA President Rex Ferry chaired the meeting, the final one of his term as NECA president.

The amendment to NECA’s bylaws regarding the recommendation to sunset the Marketing Committee and reorganize the current committee members as the Business Development Task Force passed by ballot vote.  The Executive Committee recommended passage of the amendment, writing that “[c]hanges in the marketplace are among the most frequent and significant changes the association must face. New products, new competition for installation services and new strategies for the delivery of electrical construction services are being developed constantly. NECA needs to be able to react quickly to these developments. This change reflects efforts to bring greater flexibility and increased relevance to the activities of related taskforces.”

Ordinary Proposal 1 to amend Standing Policy 15: Electrical Industry Contractor Utility Relations  and Ordinary Proposal 2 directing NECA to work with the IBEW to modify the CIR presentation policy and procedure to reflect that the grieved party (defendant) will be allowed to decide who makes the opening argument before CIR both passed unanimously by voice vote.

The Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the nominations of district vice presidents David Pinter (District 1), Alex Owen (District 3), John Lambert (District 5), Dan Schaeffer (District 7), Stan Lazarian (District 9), and Ron Autrey, Vice President at Large.  The officers will begin their two-year terms on Jan. 1, 2012. President-elect Dennis Quebe will begin serving a three-year term as NECA President, beginning in Jan. 1, 2012.

The Board of Governors also recognized Robert Gasperow, former director of the Construction Labor Research Council, as winner of the 2011 Industry Partner Award.

Greetings from San Diego!

I’m Beth Margulies, NECA’s communications director, and I’ll be live-blogging NECA 2011 San Diego this week.

Today was NECA first-ever Energy Forum, and it was non-stop action.

If you’re using social media (and who isn’t these days?) and you want to connect with fellow attendees and vendors – follow all the action by becoming and fan, liking wall posts and tagging photos at facebook.com/necaconvention. People who prefer to communicate in 140 characters can get short updated on Twitter – @necanet and @necaconvention. Mark your tweets from San Diego with the hastag #NECA11 and watch them scroll on the Social Media Wall on the NECA Show floor. You can also catch up on event recaps and photos from our blog on the Social Media Wall, too.

And of course, feel free to leave your comments and links on this blog, too. Thanks so much to everyone who’s joined us here in San Diego. Your support of this event means a lot to our industry and NECA, and I hope you’re looking forward to everything we have planned. You can tune into our daily NECA Newscast from San Diego broadcast of events on your hotel television, but nothing beats getting out there yourself.  So, enjoy the San Diego sunshine, and I’ll see you at the convention center! To those who couldn’t make it here, we’ll try to bring as much of the action to you right here!

Savings for NECA 2011 San Diego Safety Track Programs

Did you know that you can register EXCLUSIVELY for the NECA 2011 San Diego Safety Track programs, without any additional registration or event costs?

Safety professionals can now build on the knowledge they gained at NECA’s first Safety Professionals Conference with a dedicated education track focused exclusively on the training, regulations and policies they need to do their jobs—all for just $500 (price does not include pre-convention workshops).

The Safety Track at NECA 2011 San Diego is an affordable and accessible way NECA supports our inside and outside electrical safety professionals. Safety Track courses at NECA 2011 San Diego include pre-convention workshops, management seminars, technical workshops, and the Safety Roundtable.

PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS

OSHA ET&D 10 Hour Train the Trainer Course
Friday, October 21
8 a.m.–5 p.m., PW-3
(Two-day course continues Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Instructor: Joe Branco, Corporate Safety Manager, Quanta Services
$450

OSHA ET&D Supervisory Leadership Skills Outreach Train-the-Trainer Course
Friday, October 21
8:00 am–5:00 pm, PW-4 (Three-day course continues Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23, 8 a.m.–12 noon)
Instructor: James A. McGowan, Director, Safety Training, Quanta Services
$500

Changes in the NFPA 70E 2012
Saturday, October 22
8 a.m.–12 noon, PW-8
Instructors: Palmer Hickman, NJATC Director of Codes and Safety Training and Curriculum Development; and James Dollard, Jr., Safety Coordinator, IBEW Local 98
$145

MANAGEMENT SEMINARS

OSHA’s Regulatory Update Impacting Line Contractors
Sunday, October 23
8:00–8:50 am, M-1  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-8

Surviving the Changes to the Crane Standard
Sunday, October 23
8:00–8:50 am, M-2  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-9

Surviving Today’s OSHA
Monday, October 24
8:00–8:50 am, M-3  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-24

OSHA Partnership: What are the Benefits of the OSHA Electrical Transmission & Distribution (ET&D) Strategic Safety Partnership for All Line Contractors
Monday, October 24
9:00–9:50 am, M-20

TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS

Workplace Efficiency and Safety: What Contractors Should Know about NFPA 70E and Insulated Tools
Sunday, October 23
12-12:50 p.m., Room 1, ET-1

Line & Truck Grounding for Today’s Lineman
Sunday, October 23, 2011
1–1:50 pm, Room 1, ET-2

Understanding the Arc Flash and NFPA 70E
Sunday, October 23, 2011
2–2:50 pm, Room 1, ET-4

Arc Flash Mitigation and NEC Code and Compliance
Sunday, October 23, 2011
3–3:50 pm, Room 2, ET-6

>>Still unsure about attending NECA 2011 San Diego? The $500 Safety Track flat rate is STILL open for registrants! Register now!

 

FERC Commissioner Mark Spitzer Confirmed as Second Keynote Speaker at NECA Energy Forum

Marc Spitzer, Commission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will speak at the upcoming 2011 Energy Forum in San Diego, Oct. 22. Spitzer replaces FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, who was unable to attend due to an overseas meeting. He joins Allen Breeze, Senior Vice President for Schneider Electric – Power Business USA, as a keynote speaker for the event.

The NECA Energy Forum is the only event that specifically addresses the numerous opportunities available for electrical contractors and their customers in renewable power technology and integrated, energy-efficient building systems.

“Electrical contractors are the vital link between energy-efficient technology and cost-efficient construction,” said Stan Lazarian, President, Electric Service & Supply Co., Pasadena, Ca., and chair of NECA’s Energy Solution Task Force. “Our goal at the Energy Forum is to provide contractors and their customers with an opportunity to share what they’ve learned about working on renewable energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency projects.”

“How and where we get our energy has become a serious question for building owners, government leaders and developers. Rising energy prices and energy inefficiencies have everyone thinking about what the smart alternatives could be, but those alternatives have to make financial sense, both for the customer and the electrical contractor,” said Rob Colgan, NECA executive director, market development. “We’re very excited that Commissioner Spitzer will be able share his perspective in these areas with Energy Forum participants.”

Commissioner Spitzer will focus on how FERC is working to ensure America’s ratepayers have safe, economic, and reliable supplies of electricity and natural gas; and transparent, robust and competitive wholesale energy markets.

Spitzer was nominated as a FERC Commissioner by President George W. Bush.  Prior to joining FERC, Spitzer was elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) in 2000 and in 2002 was elected Chairman by his colleagues. He received recognition for his leadership of the Arizona Commission from 2003-2005. At ACC, Spitzer worked on policies encouraging expansion of natural gas infrastructure, specifically distribution and storage; creating a demand side management policy; enhancing the ACC’s renewable energy standard; and advancing consumer privacy concerns in telecommunications.

At the FERC, Commissioner Spitzer is building on his record in Arizona on environmental issues. Demand response, energy efficiency, and access to the grid by alternative resources were major focuses of Spitzer in retail rate cases and policy decisions before the Arizona Commission.

In 1992, Spitzer was elected to the Arizona State Senate for District 18. There, he served in the Legislature as Chair of the Judiciary and Finance Committees and was elected by his peers to the position of Senate Majority Leader in 1996.

An attorney since 1982, Spitzer represented taxpayers in proceedings involving the Internal Revenue Service. After graduation from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he attended the University of Michigan, School of Law.

Online registration is still open for the NECA 2011 Energy Forum; learn more and register here.

Inviting All Industry Women to Join the NECA Women’s Peer Group Roundtable, Mon., Oct. 24 at 3 p.m.

The NECA Women’s Peer Group will be holding a roundtable discussion at NECA 2011 San Diego on Monday, Oct. 24, 3-4:30 p.m. with special guests panelists Kristen McDonough, Director, Legislative Affairs, NECA; Rebecca Clark, Government Contracts Specialist, U.S. Dept. of Labor; and Alexandra Harrison, Executive Vice President – Marketing and Strategic Accounts, Ontility. (We’ve also invited Kathy Mazzarella, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Graybar who inspired so many women at the 2010 NWPG Roundtable to join us for this year’s program.)

The NWPG Roundtable will be a wide-ranging discussion, covering the how NECA women can get involved in legislative action, Davis-Bacon enforcement, and strategies for moving into executive management. NWPG’s Roundtable strives to cover both issues affecting our businesses and the challenges NECA women face in the industry. Each panelist will share her unique expertise and insight, and women attending NECA 2011 San Diego are encouraged to offer their perspectives as well.

NWPG’s Roundtable is an opportunity to meet your fellow women working in the industry and discuss the issues and challenges we all face. If you’re a woman involved with the electrical contracting industry, the NWPG Roundtable wants you to join us for this once-a-year event! Following the NWPG Roundtable, participants are invited to join the Future Leader’s Reception already in progress.

The NECA Women’s Peer Group (NWPG) was established in 2009 and is currently led by the Women’s Peer Group Task Force.  Participation in the peer group is open to all women affiliated with NECA member companies, NECA Chapters and National office, and LMCCs.

The mission of NECA Women’s Peer Group (NWPG) is to offer a forum for women working in all aspects of the electrical contracting industry to discuss the issues they face and facilitate mentoring relationships between emerging and established industry leaders.  The NWPG also works to recruit new talent and demonstrate opportunities available to women in electrical contracting.  NWPG members come together to discuss the issues they face as professional women working in a traditionally male-led industry and association.

Please join the NECA Women’s Peer Group on Facebook or LinkedIn, or stop by the NECA booth #941 on the Show floor and let us know how we can help you be your best in our industry! And make your plans to join us for the 2011 NWPG Roundtable, Monday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center. Room assignment will be noted in the on-site program.