Recently in Contractor Certification Programs Category

Redevelopment of the Hollywood Park Racetrack

With the Inglewood's City Council July 8 approval of the redevelopment of the Hollywood Park Racetrack -- a reported $2 billion direct investment in the city -- local contractors here and in surrounding communities are jockeying themselves into position to partner with the general contractor selected to transform the 238-acre urban redevelopment site.

The pre-construction process has now begun for one of the largest urban infill projects in the nation.

The Hollywood Park redevelopment project will feature retail stores, theaters, parks and homes at the corner of Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue.

Hollywood Park Tomorrow -- the construction arm of the development entity of the Hollywood Park Land Company -- is comprised of a mix of entertainment, retail, residential, office, civic, gaming and recreational projects.

Phase One:  Retail District

Plans for the first-phase retail district includes four major retail anchors as well as streets lined with restaurants and smaller stores. Additional attractions include a 15-screen movie theater, sidewalk cafes and fine dining restaurants.

Don Del Rio, a flooring contractor who recently founded the Inglewood Contractors Association (ICA), is partnering with Hollywood Tomorrow to try to ensure an 18 to 30% ratio of minority and women owned businesses get into the development of this massive redevlopment project.

Hollywood Park Tomorrow projects that the development could create 19,000 construction and permanent jobs and contribute over $100 million in taxes to Inglewood's Redevelopment Agency.

Councilman Danny Tabor, in whose First District Hollywood Park lies, said the city is working with local unions to put in place local labor hiring agreements for this and other developments in the city.

Under federal 2009 ARRA funding, California Community Services Division is receiving $185.2 million for the Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program to install energy efficiency and health and safety measures in low-income California dwellings. Of that sum, CSD may use a portion to defray the cost of training workers in weatherization, energy audits, and post-installation inspection standards - all of which are considered "green" jobs.

Over the next 27 months, CSD estimates its local providers will expend approximately $15.7 million ($9.6 million per CSD's estimates and $6.1 million reserve set-aside to be used for the inclusion of new grantees) to support sending their field supervisors, weatherization and energy audit employees, and dedicated subcontractors to CSD-approved weatherization training centers to meet DOE training requirements.

Six Core Subjects of Weatherization Job Training

CSD's weatherization training curriculum consists of 6 core subjects, to include:

Basic Weatherization - instruction on performing the basic and more simplistic forms of energy-efficiency measures, including: caulking, CFL installations, weather-stripping of windows and doors, minor home repairs, etc.

Advanced Weatherization - instruction on performing the more advanced forms of energy-efficiency and health and safety measures, including but not limited to: lighting fixture replacements, window and exterior door replacements, small appliance assessment and replacements, CO alarm installations, advanced forms of minor home repairs, etc.

Diagnostic Testing - instruction on the protocols for carrying-out pressurized diagnostic testing to determine the integrity of heating/cooling duct systems for leakage and the extent of outside air infiltration with indoor condition living space

Combustion Appliance Testing - instruction on the proper testing methods for evaluating the operational safety (carbon monoxide emissions) of combustion appliance located with living spaces and procedures for mitigating appliance hazardous conditions.

Health and Safety Environmental Awareness - instruction on the proper techniques to minimize exposure to lead paint hazards during the course of performing weatherization measure activities, and other safe practices intended to ensure the safety and will being of both weatherization crew members and recipients of weatherization services.

Dwelling Assessment - instruction on the proper method for performing health and safety assessments and energy audits of residential dwellings.

Weatherization Training In The Classroom and Online

CSD's weatherization training curriculum is hosted and delivered at two training centers within the state, the PG&E Training Center located in Stockton, California and the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County Training Center. CSD will further supplement training center efforts by developing a series of online training courses, employment recruitment tools, and field trainings all intended to further improve the competency and skill of the weatherization workforces. The online training will offer refresher courses and other educational resources to prepare new employees for the classroom training offered at the state's training centers.

Weatherization Green Job Training Recruitment Tools

Recruitment tools will assist agency providers in their recruitment efforts for hiring new staff or retaining the services of subcontractors to ensure that these recruitment efforts result in the hiring individuals possessing basic skills and aptitude to perform weatherization work, and competent subcontractors.

Quality Control

Lastly, CSD will retain the services of a third-party consultant to evaluate the quality of weatherization work and provide infield training to agency employees and subcontractor workforce.

CSD anticipates expending approximately $7.9 million for these various forms of training and technical assistance activities.

EPA notes that it is easier for a 5,500-square-foot house to get the Energy Star seal than a 1,500-square-foot house -- even though the bigger house likely consumes much more energy.

The EPA is preparing to roll out tougher rules to ensure the logo represents robust environmental standards. But it has to walk a fine line, particularly during the recession. If it pushes too hard, builders are likely to bow out of the voluntary program due to the added expense.

EPA's concerns come as the Obama administration is pushing for what amounts to a mandatory nationwide building-efficiency rule.   Builders worry it will raise the sticker price of new houses.

Talk of energy efficiency typically focuses on fuel economy on the road. But buildings burn more than automobiles.

Together, residential and commercial buildings account for about 40% of U.S. energy use, compared with about 17% for cars and light trucks.

A recent Department of Energy study concluded that a typical house's energy use could be cut by at least 30%.

And it found the monthly mortgage payment needed to cover the higher construction costs would be more than offset by lower monthly energy bills.

The Energy Star standard is compared to a "model" building-efficiency guideline used by state and local governments. To earn the Energy Star label, a new house must score at least 15% better than what that "model" guideline stipulates. The rating takes into account such things as insulation, windows, heating-and-cooling ducts and appliances.

Energy Star has succeeded in popularizing efficient products. It has become the most consistent guide for consumers who want to know the energy efficiency they're getting for their money -- boosting demand and driving down costs. The modern residential thermal window, which curbs energy waste, used to be expensive but is now common in entry-level houses.

But the program's shortcomings show how difficult it can be to achieve widespread energy savings.

Big houses would lose their advantage under the tougher rule the EPA is preparing. It includes what would amount to a gas-guzzler penalty for houses.

Learn more at EfficiencyFirst

What you should know when choosing a contractor and technician.

Learn how choosing the right home comfort system can save you money.

NATE Certified Contractors

NATE-certified technicians are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVACR industry by passing specialized NATE certification tests.

Find local certified HVACR contractors in your local area.

NATE (North American Technician Excellence) was founded in 1997 and is the nation's largest independent, third-party non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians. NATE-certified technicians are skilled professionals who have proven their knowledge in the HVACR industry by passing specialized NATE certification tests.

NATE's certification tests represent real world working knowledge of HVAC and HVACR systems and candidates can earn installation and/or service certification in one or more specialty areas.

Specialties include:

• Air Conditioning
• Air Distribution
• Heat Pumps
• Gas Furnaces
• Oil Furnaces
• Hydronics Gas
• Hydronics Oil
• Light Commercial Refrigeration
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst

Find a local contractor that employs NATE-certified technicians