Vax Facts in the Workplace

OSHA vaccination rule confusing some employers, workers OSHA released some vaccine guidance back on May 3 that is causing employers some concern and confusion. Essentially, it says OSHA considers a vaccine reaction to be recordable and work-related IF the employer has mandated vaccines. This has caused adverse reaction among certain businesses and workplaces, even some […]

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Politics as Usual

Cleanpower keynote lineup emphasizes green energy’s need for federal support Update 6/3/21: Sticking with the political power lineup card, ACP announced today that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) have joined the list of speakers. The American Clean Power Association (formerly AWEA) is gearing up for its next trade show in […]

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Forge A New Path

ForgeNow is looking for skilled trade workers, no strings attached A new initiative from Dallas-based skilled trades academy ForgeNow is working to reskill returning veterans, formerly-incarcerated adults and recent immigrants for roles in HVAC and electrical repair. The LLC, which has programs for HVAC, medical coding, and electrician prospects, was approved by the Texas Workforce […]

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R2R: Ringing Endorsement

FTC report “shows they took our testimony very seriously” says TRA On May 6, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a long-awaited report on how manufacturers limit product repairs. Back in 2019, The Repair Association (TRA) participated alongside the folks at U.S. PIRG, iFixit, etc. in a “Nixing the Fix” workshop hosted by the FTC. […]

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Connected to Safety

ESFI’s theme for National Electrical Safety Month in 2021 May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is launching its annual effort to help reduce electrically-related fatalities, injuries, and property loss. This year’s campaign theme is “Connected to Safety,” which educates consumers on the emerging technology that ensures their homes […]

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EPA Moves On HFCs

Department calls proposed rule on hydroflourocarbons “among the most significant environmental laws in recent years” In an announcement that could have a major impact on the HVAC/R industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is officially proposing its first rule under the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 to phase down the production […]

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NIBS Leaders

Organization appoints leaders for Steering Committee The National Institute of Building Sciences has announced the built environment leaders who will serve on the National BIM (Building Information Management) Program Steering Committee, the organization said in a press release sent to Electrical Apparatus April 20. The NIBS BIM Council began the launch phase for the U.S. National BIM […]

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Stormy Weather

Stormwater sector falls short on funding; awaits infrastructure package When snow melts, who handles the runoff, drainage, filtering…who essentially cleans up the mess? As the country restores power and hope following a nationwide cold snap, folks in the stormwater sector await a federal infrastructure package with nervous stomachs. While higher-profile sectors get mass attention in […]

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Perseverance Leads to Touchdowns

NASA rover reached Mars last Thursday; successfully sending back live streams Nope, that’s not a Vince Lombardi quote. The latest Mars touchdown occurred last Thursday, just after our previous newsletter. We wanted to give NASA and its Perseverance crew their due in this week’s edition. The mission has been a major success thus far; not only did […]

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A Greener Garden

N.J. establishes Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy, comprehensive goals If any state should be striving to be “green”, it’s the Garden State. From Newark on Tuesday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced an investment of more than $100 million in clean transportation projects aimed at improving air quality and reducing the effects […]

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