At a time when NECA contractors are struggling to keep their workforce employed and to build enough backlog to weather the economic storm, energy projects seem to offer some exciting opportunities. Energy projects can mean revenue opportunities for NECA contractors, good paying jobs for electrical workers, and a means to energy independence for America.
Yet, as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports, some of the more promising projects are being delayed or deferred indefinitely. According to an article entitled “Energy Projects Going Nowhere” in the June 2009 issue of uschamber.com magazine, energy projects throughout the U.S. – even clean energy projects – are being blocked or delayed by special interest groups and local governments.
Did you know, for instance, that a proposed 500 KV transmission line project that would bring electricity to power-hungry Los Angeles from renewable sources in inland California has been delayed since 2006 – and that the proposed routing has changed seven times? Or that proposed legislation to designate some desert lands in California as a national monument would prevent development of renewable energy projects in the area?
The Chamber has developed a website where you can discover which energy projects in your market area are affected, and the source of and rationale behind the opposition to their progress. Then, you can decide what action you might want to take in your local area.
While NECA is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, opinions expressed and positions taken in the article and on the website are those of the Chamber, and may differ from NECA’s. However, we do feel that electrical contractors can benefit from this information about energy projects, and this particular website is another resource that delves into issues that affect your business opportunities. Some of the opposition to these projects may be justified, but sometimes it is just an example of the NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) syndrome.
Let us know if you find this information useful, and what kind of market information about energy projects will help you do more business in energy solutions.