Twenty-five states, including Connecticut, saw construction jobs increase between May and June, according to data released recently by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Over the year ending in June, the state gained 1,500 jobs, a 2.5 percent increase.
California added the most jobs during the past year with 45,500, followed by Florida (32,400), Louisiana (15,600), Texas (14,400) and Oregon (11,200).
The data showed job gain and loss from June 2016 to April, May and June of this year.
Between June 2016 and April 2017, Connecticut picked up 2,800 construction jobs. From April to May it lost 500 jobs, but gained 200 in June.
Association officials said the small number of states adding workers in the latest month may indicate a shortage of qualified job seekers, rather than a slowdown in demand for construction.
“Contractors in most of the country say they have plenty of projects booked and would like to hire more workers if they could find them, so it is likely that some states with monthly employment declines have a shortage of workers available to hire rather than a slowdown in work,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Given the low unemployment rate in most states, other industries are competing hard for workers, making it difficult for contractors to find new construction workers, let alone experienced ones.”
The association also urged Washington officials to help address growing labor shortages in the construction industry by taking steps to expand training opportunities for students and young adults.
Examples include expanding investments in secondary career and technical education, making it easier to establish apprenticeship training programs in all market types and allowing for more charter schools and career academies that focus on construction skills.
“The need for more craft workers in fields like construction is growing every month,” Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the association, said. “There is a correspondingly urgent need to put in place measures that can expand training opportunities for people considering careers in construction.”
Malloy orders viability study of Millstone
Waterford — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed an executive order Tuesday that tasks state agencies with studying the "current and projected economic viability for the continued operation of" the Millstone Power Station.
A resource assessment is necessary for Connecticut to decide if — and how — it should take action to support nuclear power facilities and other emissions-free energy sources, the order states.
“Connecticut has become a leader in building a 21st century approach to energy, and we must not stop,” Malloy said in a statement. “We are deploying more renewable power resources and energy efficiency measures, while pursuing new, clean technologies such as battery storage and fuel cells."
"And in order for our state to have an efficient and comprehensive approach in how our energy future should be advanced, we must objectively and thoroughly review and evaluate the relevant information and market conditions of the Millstone facility and the sustainability of legacy zero-carbon generation in the context of reducing costs for consumers and moving our clean energy strategy forward,” he said.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority are slated to present the results of the study to the governor and the General Assembly by Feb. 1, 2018.
The executive order follows Dominion Energy's announcement in June that the company is proceeding with a "strategic assessment" of its plans for Millstone, after legislation it had sought failed in the General Assembly. The House did not move forward with legislation, passed in the Senate, that would have enabled the state to review nuclear power plants and then determine if a competitive procurement process for nuclear power should begin.
Dominion said Tuesday that it will continue its "strategic assessment" of Millstone and make a "business decision," regardless of the study announced on Tuesday.
“Dominion appreciates the Governor’s leadership in helping to ensure Millstone continues to provide critical energy, environmental and economic benefits for Connecticut," Paul Koonce, the CEO of Dominion Energy Power Generation Group, said in a statement. "However, the time for a study without action has passed."
"We remain committed to working with the Governor and legislative leaders this special session to find a solution that benefits Connecticut and ensures Millstone’s viability," he added. "We have now been engaged with Connecticut leaders for more than 21 months on this issue. Without action this year, the prospects for continued operation of Millstone diminish."
Koonce referenced that Dominion had engaged with numerous parties for 18 months about the viability of a nuclear power station in Wisconsin, without coming to an agreement. Dominion then "made a business decision to close the plant." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Why did New England’s largest electric utility diversify into water?
Eversource Energy's acquisition of Bridgeport-based Aquarion Water Co. will merge New England's largest energy company with the region's largest private water company, serving almost 4 million customers in three states.
The $1.68 billion deal is the first acquisition of a U.S. water company by a large electric utility in recent memory, analysts say, though it's too soon to predict whether it will be a trend.
"One deal doesn't make a trend," said Travis Miller, an analyst with Morningstar Inc.
Such deals are rare because most water companies (about 85 percent) are owned by governments or quasi-public entities, like Greater Hartford's Metropolitan District Commission, which means they don't trade hands very often, said Neil Kalton, managing director of utilities equity research at Wells Fargo Securities.
Aquarion for the last decade has been owned by New York-based Macquarie Infrastructure Corp., which operates and invests in infrastructure companies.
Some analysts suspect Eversource found the deal appealing because of the synergies between the two companies.Others have said it's simply a good business decision that will diversify Eversource's holdings and offset potential regulatory challenges its facing with other projects.
"Electric demand is experiencing some pressures that could slow growth opportunities, so we have seen utilities increasingly look for growth in their gas operations, and Eversource might be trying to find that growth in the water business as well," said Miller, who added that Eversource is trying to get a few gas pipeline projects off the ground, but has faced hurdles doing so. For example, Access Northeast, which would expand the Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline in New England and add liquified natural gas facilities, has faced consumer resistance and legal barriers.
Differing views
Research analysts who follow Eversource have various opinions on the main driver of the acquisition.
Miller said the deal is an opportunity to "drive synergies that benefit customers and shareholders."
The ability to serve a greater number of customers with a minimal capital investment is a huge benefit and there aren't a lot of intrinsic differences between the water company and the gas and electricity company, he said.
"They're very similar businesses in terms of managing and operating," Miller said.
The merger will give Eversource water customers in places where it has control over electricity and gas supply. Such overlapping service territories can often lead to cost savings and other strategic planning options, he said.
Kalton said the merger had less to do with leveraging synergies. While the combination could help lower financing costs and allow sharing between departments, a "unique set of circumstances"simply made it a good business decision, he said.
Kalton said Aquarion happened to be up for sale, and in Eversource's backyard, at a time when the electric utility needed to replace revenues from assets it is planning to sell in New Hampshire. Kalton said Eversource has to sell a coal power plant in New Hampshire, which was producing $30 million a year in earnings; buying Aquarion will replace those lost revenues.
"Eversource was looking for some earnings, it was plugging a hole," Kalton said.
Kalton pointed out that this is a fairly small acquisition for Eversource, as Aquarion will represent about 3 to 4 percent of Eversource's annual earnings going forward. "Honestly, it took a lot of investors by surprise," Kalton said. "Eversource had not telegraphed a pivot into water at all." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction Of House Street, Hebron Avenue Roundabout Postponed To 2018
The construction of a roundabout at the House Street and Hebron Avenue intersection has been postponed to 2018.
The town was hoping to begin construction on the intersection shortly after the roundabout at Hebron Avenue and New London Turnpike was substantially completed. But delays in the design process led to the postponement of the second roundabout construction.
"Despite best efforts to finalize the design and complete state and federal review and approval process, construction this year is not reasonably possible," Town Manager Richard J. Johnson said. "It was optimistic and maybe a little ambitious to complete this this summer. We were maybe a little overambitious.
"But this is a challenging project," he added. "It takes time to do it and do it well. We want the best final project we can get."
Last year, the town received a $1.6 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to install a roundabout at the intersection of House Street and Hebron Avenue — one of two proposed along a stretch of Hebron Avenue from the Route 2 off-ramp west into the town center. Town and state officials hope the roundabouts will ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents along the mile-long stretch.
In addition to the grant, the town received $275,000 from Continental Properties, developers of One Glastonbury Place on the northern corner of House Street and Hebron Avenue. The developer is well into construction on the 145-unit rental apartment community. The money was given to the town to help pay for the roundabout. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
West Haven Council approves sale of Allingtown parking lot to developer
WEST HAVEN >> The City Council approved the sale of 9,024 square feet of the Louis Piantino Allingtown Branch Library’s parking lot in a split vote Monday night, giving developer David Beckerman’s Acorn Group property he says he needs for one of the two additional mixed-use apartment and commercial buildings he wants to build.
The buildings — like The Atwood, a nearly-complete 67-unit, four-story, 90,150-square-foot apartment and commercial building on the former site of Carroll Cut-Rate Furniture — would change the face of the center of Allingtown, which is along Route 1 just down the road from University of New Haven in the north end of town,
According to the developer’s website, “The Park View” would be built opposite the Allingtown Green along what now is Cellini Place, offering 62 apartments and 18,000 square feet of retail space. In a rendering on the Acorn website, Cellini Place looks as if it would be abandoned and paved over. “The Forest” would be built on the former site of the demolished Forest Theater at the main intersection of the Boston Post Road, Campbell Avenue and Forest Road, with an additional 50 apartments and 16,000 square feet of retail space.The three buildings would collectively be known as “University Commons.” The council’s approval of the parking lot sale, by a 7-1 vote with two abstentions, came over opposition from West Haven Black Coalition President Carroll Brown, who had sent a letter to council members, and Democratic mayoral challenger Nancy Rossi, who spoke earlier during the meeting’s public comment session.
Allingtown City Council member Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, voted against the sale, while Council Chairman Jim O’Brien, D-6, in whose district the property is, was among those voting for it. Council members David Riccio, R-At Large, and David Russell, D-7, both abstained.“We’re on our way,” said Beckerman, who attended along with Acorn Group Vice President Gary Letendre and attorney Mark Sklarz. They left after the proposed sale cleared the council’s Finance Committee by a unanimous vote with Riccio abstaining. The sale was for $106,000. The Atwood is under construction on the Boston Post Road between Taft Avenue and Atwood Place, just east of the major intersection of Route 1, Campbell Avenue and Forest Road. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Connecticut DOT Reveals Track Laying Machine
The Connecticut Department of Transportation revealed its track laying machine July 25, which will help increase train service in the region.
Crews were working in Berlin, Conn. on Tuesday laying down rail. The track laying machine made that work faster, cheaper and easier. Though it may look like it's moving slowly, it can lay down up to a mile of track per day. Crews will lay track to Newington, Conn.
“It's one of the only places in the country building a brand new railroad like this so it's exciting to be here and to see this coming to closure,” said Connecticut DOT Commissioner James Redeker.
Rocks, called ballast, were put down first so the area was ready for the track laying machine to come through. It lifts up the rail track, puts down concrete ties, aligns the track on them and pins it in place, laying the foundation of an easier commute.
The machine is being used to double-track portions of the Hartford commuter rail line, which will increase service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. The new commuter rail line service between these cities will be launching next May.
This is good news for passengers, since it will mean more than double the number of round trips than what's currently offered. It will also mean faster service and more frequent trains.
“This will be a high speed service. We've designed this and we can run up to 110 miles an hour so it'll be a really quick trip for people,” said Redeker.
The companies that will operate and manage the service will be a joint venture between TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts.
However, before the trains run there is still work to be done.
“Once we complete this stretch of the tie installation we still need to surface, adjust the rail, complete the signal system, cut overs,” said Tim Sullivan, Capital Construction senior manager.
This is the second season this machine has been used in Connecticut.
Improvements have already been made to the infrastructure. Crews have rebuilt tracks and fixed bridges.
California added the most jobs during the past year with 45,500, followed by Florida (32,400), Louisiana (15,600), Texas (14,400) and Oregon (11,200).
The data showed job gain and loss from June 2016 to April, May and June of this year.
Between June 2016 and April 2017, Connecticut picked up 2,800 construction jobs. From April to May it lost 500 jobs, but gained 200 in June.
Association officials said the small number of states adding workers in the latest month may indicate a shortage of qualified job seekers, rather than a slowdown in demand for construction.
“Contractors in most of the country say they have plenty of projects booked and would like to hire more workers if they could find them, so it is likely that some states with monthly employment declines have a shortage of workers available to hire rather than a slowdown in work,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Given the low unemployment rate in most states, other industries are competing hard for workers, making it difficult for contractors to find new construction workers, let alone experienced ones.”
The association also urged Washington officials to help address growing labor shortages in the construction industry by taking steps to expand training opportunities for students and young adults.
Examples include expanding investments in secondary career and technical education, making it easier to establish apprenticeship training programs in all market types and allowing for more charter schools and career academies that focus on construction skills.
“The need for more craft workers in fields like construction is growing every month,” Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the association, said. “There is a correspondingly urgent need to put in place measures that can expand training opportunities for people considering careers in construction.”
Malloy orders viability study of Millstone
Waterford — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed an executive order Tuesday that tasks state agencies with studying the "current and projected economic viability for the continued operation of" the Millstone Power Station.
A resource assessment is necessary for Connecticut to decide if — and how — it should take action to support nuclear power facilities and other emissions-free energy sources, the order states.
“Connecticut has become a leader in building a 21st century approach to energy, and we must not stop,” Malloy said in a statement. “We are deploying more renewable power resources and energy efficiency measures, while pursuing new, clean technologies such as battery storage and fuel cells."
"And in order for our state to have an efficient and comprehensive approach in how our energy future should be advanced, we must objectively and thoroughly review and evaluate the relevant information and market conditions of the Millstone facility and the sustainability of legacy zero-carbon generation in the context of reducing costs for consumers and moving our clean energy strategy forward,” he said.
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority are slated to present the results of the study to the governor and the General Assembly by Feb. 1, 2018.
The executive order follows Dominion Energy's announcement in June that the company is proceeding with a "strategic assessment" of its plans for Millstone, after legislation it had sought failed in the General Assembly. The House did not move forward with legislation, passed in the Senate, that would have enabled the state to review nuclear power plants and then determine if a competitive procurement process for nuclear power should begin.
Dominion said Tuesday that it will continue its "strategic assessment" of Millstone and make a "business decision," regardless of the study announced on Tuesday.
“Dominion appreciates the Governor’s leadership in helping to ensure Millstone continues to provide critical energy, environmental and economic benefits for Connecticut," Paul Koonce, the CEO of Dominion Energy Power Generation Group, said in a statement. "However, the time for a study without action has passed."
"We remain committed to working with the Governor and legislative leaders this special session to find a solution that benefits Connecticut and ensures Millstone’s viability," he added. "We have now been engaged with Connecticut leaders for more than 21 months on this issue. Without action this year, the prospects for continued operation of Millstone diminish."
Koonce referenced that Dominion had engaged with numerous parties for 18 months about the viability of a nuclear power station in Wisconsin, without coming to an agreement. Dominion then "made a business decision to close the plant." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Why did New England’s largest electric utility diversify into water?
Eversource Energy's acquisition of Bridgeport-based Aquarion Water Co. will merge New England's largest energy company with the region's largest private water company, serving almost 4 million customers in three states.
The $1.68 billion deal is the first acquisition of a U.S. water company by a large electric utility in recent memory, analysts say, though it's too soon to predict whether it will be a trend.
"One deal doesn't make a trend," said Travis Miller, an analyst with Morningstar Inc.
Such deals are rare because most water companies (about 85 percent) are owned by governments or quasi-public entities, like Greater Hartford's Metropolitan District Commission, which means they don't trade hands very often, said Neil Kalton, managing director of utilities equity research at Wells Fargo Securities.
Aquarion for the last decade has been owned by New York-based Macquarie Infrastructure Corp., which operates and invests in infrastructure companies.
Some analysts suspect Eversource found the deal appealing because of the synergies between the two companies.Others have said it's simply a good business decision that will diversify Eversource's holdings and offset potential regulatory challenges its facing with other projects.
"Electric demand is experiencing some pressures that could slow growth opportunities, so we have seen utilities increasingly look for growth in their gas operations, and Eversource might be trying to find that growth in the water business as well," said Miller, who added that Eversource is trying to get a few gas pipeline projects off the ground, but has faced hurdles doing so. For example, Access Northeast, which would expand the Algonquin Gas Transmission pipeline in New England and add liquified natural gas facilities, has faced consumer resistance and legal barriers.
Differing views
Research analysts who follow Eversource have various opinions on the main driver of the acquisition.
Miller said the deal is an opportunity to "drive synergies that benefit customers and shareholders."
The ability to serve a greater number of customers with a minimal capital investment is a huge benefit and there aren't a lot of intrinsic differences between the water company and the gas and electricity company, he said.
"They're very similar businesses in terms of managing and operating," Miller said.
The merger will give Eversource water customers in places where it has control over electricity and gas supply. Such overlapping service territories can often lead to cost savings and other strategic planning options, he said.
Kalton said the merger had less to do with leveraging synergies. While the combination could help lower financing costs and allow sharing between departments, a "unique set of circumstances"simply made it a good business decision, he said.
Kalton said Aquarion happened to be up for sale, and in Eversource's backyard, at a time when the electric utility needed to replace revenues from assets it is planning to sell in New Hampshire. Kalton said Eversource has to sell a coal power plant in New Hampshire, which was producing $30 million a year in earnings; buying Aquarion will replace those lost revenues.
"Eversource was looking for some earnings, it was plugging a hole," Kalton said.
Kalton pointed out that this is a fairly small acquisition for Eversource, as Aquarion will represent about 3 to 4 percent of Eversource's annual earnings going forward. "Honestly, it took a lot of investors by surprise," Kalton said. "Eversource had not telegraphed a pivot into water at all." CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction Of House Street, Hebron Avenue Roundabout Postponed To 2018
The construction of a roundabout at the House Street and Hebron Avenue intersection has been postponed to 2018.
The town was hoping to begin construction on the intersection shortly after the roundabout at Hebron Avenue and New London Turnpike was substantially completed. But delays in the design process led to the postponement of the second roundabout construction.
"Despite best efforts to finalize the design and complete state and federal review and approval process, construction this year is not reasonably possible," Town Manager Richard J. Johnson said. "It was optimistic and maybe a little ambitious to complete this this summer. We were maybe a little overambitious.
"But this is a challenging project," he added. "It takes time to do it and do it well. We want the best final project we can get."
Johnson noted he is hoping to get authorization from the state Department of Transportation to bid the project in November. Construction would then begin in spring 2018. The repaving of the stretch of Hebron Avenue between Sycamore Street and Main Street would be put off until the completion of both roundabouts.
This is the second postponement of a major construction project in town this summer. Officials have also delayed the construction of a new multiuse trail between House Street and Western Boulevard to 2018.Last year, the town received a $1.6 million grant from the state Department of Transportation to install a roundabout at the intersection of House Street and Hebron Avenue — one of two proposed along a stretch of Hebron Avenue from the Route 2 off-ramp west into the town center. Town and state officials hope the roundabouts will ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents along the mile-long stretch.
In addition to the grant, the town received $275,000 from Continental Properties, developers of One Glastonbury Place on the northern corner of House Street and Hebron Avenue. The developer is well into construction on the 145-unit rental apartment community. The money was given to the town to help pay for the roundabout. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
West Haven Council approves sale of Allingtown parking lot to developer
WEST HAVEN >> The City Council approved the sale of 9,024 square feet of the Louis Piantino Allingtown Branch Library’s parking lot in a split vote Monday night, giving developer David Beckerman’s Acorn Group property he says he needs for one of the two additional mixed-use apartment and commercial buildings he wants to build.
The buildings — like The Atwood, a nearly-complete 67-unit, four-story, 90,150-square-foot apartment and commercial building on the former site of Carroll Cut-Rate Furniture — would change the face of the center of Allingtown, which is along Route 1 just down the road from University of New Haven in the north end of town,
According to the developer’s website, “The Park View” would be built opposite the Allingtown Green along what now is Cellini Place, offering 62 apartments and 18,000 square feet of retail space. In a rendering on the Acorn website, Cellini Place looks as if it would be abandoned and paved over. “The Forest” would be built on the former site of the demolished Forest Theater at the main intersection of the Boston Post Road, Campbell Avenue and Forest Road, with an additional 50 apartments and 16,000 square feet of retail space.The three buildings would collectively be known as “University Commons.” The council’s approval of the parking lot sale, by a 7-1 vote with two abstentions, came over opposition from West Haven Black Coalition President Carroll Brown, who had sent a letter to council members, and Democratic mayoral challenger Nancy Rossi, who spoke earlier during the meeting’s public comment session.
Allingtown City Council member Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, voted against the sale, while Council Chairman Jim O’Brien, D-6, in whose district the property is, was among those voting for it. Council members David Riccio, R-At Large, and David Russell, D-7, both abstained.“We’re on our way,” said Beckerman, who attended along with Acorn Group Vice President Gary Letendre and attorney Mark Sklarz. They left after the proposed sale cleared the council’s Finance Committee by a unanimous vote with Riccio abstaining. The sale was for $106,000. The Atwood is under construction on the Boston Post Road between Taft Avenue and Atwood Place, just east of the major intersection of Route 1, Campbell Avenue and Forest Road. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Connecticut DOT Reveals Track Laying Machine
The Connecticut Department of Transportation revealed its track laying machine July 25, which will help increase train service in the region.
Crews were working in Berlin, Conn. on Tuesday laying down rail. The track laying machine made that work faster, cheaper and easier. Though it may look like it's moving slowly, it can lay down up to a mile of track per day. Crews will lay track to Newington, Conn.
“It's one of the only places in the country building a brand new railroad like this so it's exciting to be here and to see this coming to closure,” said Connecticut DOT Commissioner James Redeker.
Rocks, called ballast, were put down first so the area was ready for the track laying machine to come through. It lifts up the rail track, puts down concrete ties, aligns the track on them and pins it in place, laying the foundation of an easier commute.
The machine is being used to double-track portions of the Hartford commuter rail line, which will increase service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield. The new commuter rail line service between these cities will be launching next May.
This is good news for passengers, since it will mean more than double the number of round trips than what's currently offered. It will also mean faster service and more frequent trains.
“This will be a high speed service. We've designed this and we can run up to 110 miles an hour so it'll be a really quick trip for people,” said Redeker.
The companies that will operate and manage the service will be a joint venture between TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts.
However, before the trains run there is still work to be done.
“Once we complete this stretch of the tie installation we still need to surface, adjust the rail, complete the signal system, cut overs,” said Tim Sullivan, Capital Construction senior manager.
This is the second season this machine has been used in Connecticut.
Improvements have already been made to the infrastructure. Crews have rebuilt tracks and fixed bridges.