Day: October 25, 2011

Sources: CP staff; Valmont Industries, Omaha, Neb.

By Don Marsh

A recent expansion has made the Bellville, Texas, operation the largest of six Valmont Newmark spun cast, prestressed pole plants. Batching and production capacity investment enables the producer to fabricate up to 140-ft. structures, which are competitive with steel poles alternatives and well suited to carry 345kV lines to which utilities are switching in transmission upgrades. Additional demand for structures supporting the high voltage lines is being driven by the need for bringing power from west Texas wind farms to the state’s population centers in the east.

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Source: McGraw-Hill construction, New York City

Although housing and commercial building construction starts may improve in 2012, they will be offset by weakness in the public works and institutional building sectors, says the Dodge Construction Outlook from McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Released last week, the report predicts that overall U.S. construction starts for next year will remain essentially flat. The level of construction starts in 2012 is expected to hit $412 billion, following the 4 percent decline to $410 billion predicted for 2011.

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Sources: Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, D.C.

The bipartisan “Sensible Accounting to Value Energy” (SAVE) Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA), would include energy costs along with mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance and, where applicable, condo and homeowner association fees in the cost of homeownership.

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