Lorraine White has joined GEI Consultants Inc., Sacramento, as its water-energy program manager. Before moving to the geotechnical, environmental, water resources and ecological science and engineering firm, White served as the state Energy Commission's lead on California's water-energy nexus, representing the commission in regulatory policy deliberations at the California Public Utilities Commission, the Dept. of Water Resources and the Water Energy sub-team of the governor's Climate Action Team. She also helped the state develop and implement a wide variety of resource efficiency, environmental protection and clean-energy development policies.Scott Kruse and Tom O'Neil were appointed senior principals at DLR Group. The
Dates & Events Dec. 8, 2011 CCM Application Workshop Los AngelesConstruction Management Association of America, Southern California chapter, is hosting a three-hour Construction Manager Certification workshop. Contact: tsierra@swinerton.com.Dec. 9, 2011 Holiday Networking Gala San FranciscoThe Bay Area chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry invites members of AIA, ASID, IIDA, NKBA and the Luxury Marketing Council to the Sobel Design Building for a get-together. Contact: aiasf.org.Dec. 13, 2011 AGC Dinner, Toy Drive LivermoreBay Area district is hosting its annual dinner, toy drive and bocce tournament at Campo di Bocce. Contact: whittonk@agc-ca.org.Jan. 13, 2012 PreFab Education Workshop San FranciscoModular
North of San Francisco, the North Bay’s first commuter rail line is inching toward construction. Meandering through the hilly suburbs of Marin County and the farms and vineyards of Sonoma County, the new rail line is designed to relieve pressure from the jam-packed 101 Freeway, providing a less stressful ride for North Bay commuters. Image courtesy of Sumitomo Corp. of America SMART has purchased 18 Diesel Multiple Units from Sumitomo Corp. of America. As the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system moves ahead, other California rail projects—such as the $100-billion San Francisco-to-Anaheim high-speed rail line—are hitting some speed bumps.Last month, the
After recently earning a LEED for New Construction platinum certification, DPR's San Diego office can now claim to be the first and only net-zero energy and LEED platinum certified commercial office in the city based on its size. The company-owned regional headquarters is a 24,000-sq-ft building located in University City.To be eligible for a net-zero rating, a building must be capable of producing at least as much energy from renewable sources within a year to compensate for what it draws from the grid. Over the last year, DPR's San Diego office generated nearly 12,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) more than it consumed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently gave the go-ahead to the city of Palmdale to construct and operate the nation’s first-of-its-kind hybrid power plant. The EPA’s permit begins the construction planning session for a 570-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant with 50 megawatts of solar energy generation. The city estimates that commercial operations can begin in summer 2013.According to Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest Region, the permit sets limits for carbon dioxide emissions at 774 lbs per megawatt-hour of power produced, while the clean solar component can generate enough energy each hour to recharge about 750 electric
After recently earning a LEED for New Construction platinum certification, DPR’s San Diego office can now claim to be the first and only net-zero energy and LEED platinum certified commercial office in the city in its size. The company-owned regional headquarters is a 24,000-sq-ft building located in University City.To be eligible for a net-zero rating, a building must be capable of producing at least as much energy from renewable sources within a year to compensate for what it draws from the grid. Over the last year, DPR’s San Diego office generated nearly 12,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) more than it consumed with
“It’s certainly a unique delivery method – a Public-Private Partnership utilizing Performance-Based Infrastructure design/build,” says Chip Hastie, vice president at Clark Construction Group-California, Costa Mesa. “That really has shaped many of the design decisions and, ultimately, the end product, which is a facility that can be operated with optimal efficiency and reliability.” The facility is the 545,000-sq-ft Gov. George Deukmejian Courthouse in Long Beach, a $490-million project that will replace the city’s existing – and long outdated – main court building. Construction began in earnest in June.When completed in August 2013, the complex will cover two city blocks and feature
AGC recently held its annual Fall Conference and Division and State Boards of Directors Meetings in Indian Wells. The meetings and conference drew many of the state’s top construction industry leaders, who elected the association’s leadership for 2012 and focused on the future goals and direction of AGC. Photo by Carol Eaton AGC of California's Elected Leaders for 2012Top leadership of the AGC of California for 2012, elected by the State Board of Directors on October 28 in Indian Wells, will include (left to right) Immediate Past President Gerry DiIoli, Herzog Contracting Corp., Oceanside.; Vice President Curt Weltz, Flatiron West,
UC Davis West Village recently made its official debut as the largest planned zero net energy community in the country. Photo courtesy of UC Davis West Village UC Davis West Village Located on the University of California, Davis campus, the 130-acre development is designed to generate as much energy each year as it consumes.Completion of major elements of UC Davis West Village’s $300 million first phase includes 315 apartments, 42,500 square feet of commercial space, a recreation center and village square. More than 800 residents have moved into the initial phase within the past month.When completed, the development will be
A huge segment of the $4.6-billion Hetch Hetchy Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) is about to head in a downhill direction. The San Joaquin Pipeline System (SJPS), part of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s WSIP to repair, replace and seismically upgrade the aging Hetch Hetchy Water System, has reached several major milestones over the last several months.According to officials at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), notices to proceed were issued this quarter for the eastern segment contract, which involves the construction of a new pipeline from the Oakdale Portal to a new connection point 6.7 miles from the
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