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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AIA to Congress: Act Now to Jump Start Building Sector of Economy

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Architect testifies about need for polices designed to help small businesses during economic crisis Washington, D.C. — October 7 — Tampa-based architect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA, unveiled the American Institute of Architects" (AIA) Rebuild & Renew plan for both short- and long-term economic recovery to the House Committee on Small Business at a hearing today. “Small business does not want a bailout. We want access to loans to bridge the economic downturn to help fund operational costs. We want relief from the premium costs of health insurance. We want incentives for people to build, buy, and renovate their homes and businesses. … Read more

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