Minimal Improvement in Architecture Billings Index

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Level of inquiries reaches highest mark in two years Washington, D.C. — As the nonresidential construction industry continues to struggle, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) showed a nominal improvement in September. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI rating was 43.1, up slightly from 41.7 in August. This score indicates a decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry score was … Read more

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Construction Market to Increase 11% in 2010, Says McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook Report

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies, today released its 2010 Construction Outlook, a mainstay of business planning for construction and manufacturing executives, which forecasts an increase in overall U.S. construction starts for next year. Due to improvement for housing from extremely low levels and broader expansion for public works, the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11% to $466.2 billion, following the 25% decline predicted for 2009. “The U.S. construction market in 2010 will be helped by growth for several sectors, following three straight years of decline that brought total construction activity … Read more

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DOE Announces $87M in Funding to Support Solar Energy Technologies

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At the opening of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Decathlon on the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $87 million will be made available to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid deployment of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of this funding, $50 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The 47 projects with universities, electric power utilities, DOE’s national laboratories, and local governments have been selected to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help address technical challenges, ensure reliable connectivity with the electrical grid, and train … Read more

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OSHA begins National Emphasis Program on Recordkeeping to Determine Accuracy of Worker Injury and Illness Data

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is initiating a national emphasis program (NEP) on recordkeeping to assess the accuracy of injury and illness data recorded by employers. The recordkeeping NEP involves inspecting occupational injury and illness records prepared by businesses and appropriately enforcing regulatory requirements when employers are found to be under-recording injuries and illnesses. “Accurate and honest recordkeeping is vitally important to workers’ health and safety,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “This information is not only used by OSHA to determine which workplaces to inspect, but … Read more

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Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Dens(TM) Interior Products First in Industry to Pass 12-Week Mold Test

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ATLANTA, Ga. — Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC has once again raised the standard of excellence in the building products industry, as two of its premier Dens(TM) interior gypsum panel products have passed the industry’s most stringent mold resistance test. DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel* and DensShield Tile Backer each passed the 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency’s ASTM D 6329 ** protocol. The test — three times longer and much more rigorous than ASTM D 3273, the current industry standard — was conducted by an independent third party, RTI International, at its facilities in Research Triangle … Read more

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