Thursday, September 22, 2011

Finding the balance between stewardship and energy and economic security



Professor Gary Wolfram, William Simon Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Hillsdale College, in an article yesterday, agreed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that overly stringent regulations by the EPA are putting fully 8% of the U.S. electricity capacity at risk.  He suggests that doing so "will raise the costs of production, reduce the reliability of the power grid, and result in a substantial drag on economic growth and employment." 

View the full article here.
  
  

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

We're going back to college...

It's fall and that means it's College Recruitment Time!  We couldn't be more excited.  In a few days, we're going on the road to meet some of the engineering leaders of tomorrow.  We really enjoy meeting engineering students, sharing information about our internships, and listening to them share what they are looking for in a post-college career.  We've met many great people whom we've hired as a result of these events.  Who knows, maybe soon you could be one of them!  Click here to view our current openings. 

Please look for us at these upcoming career fairs -- we're looking forward to meeting you!

9/26     University of Michigan
9/27     Michigan Tech
9/29     Western Michigan University
10/5     Michigan State University
10/12   Ohio State University    
  

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Time for a 21st Century Grid



If we, as a nation, are to have true energy security and facilitate a more robust economy which supports job growth, then we must get serious about taking the steps necessary to remove the roadblocks currently preventing increased electric transmission.  So argues Heath Knakmuhs, Senior Policy Director at the US Chamber's Institute for 21st Century Energy. 

Click here to read Heath's article.

Monday, September 19, 2011

A big weekend for solar


From the red carpet at the Emmys, to FedExField, complete with its own "Solar Bowl" Sunday, solar was center stage. 


To read more about the state of the US solar market, please click here.

.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Truth is stranger than fiction...

It's called "Graphene," but folks often refer to it as "atomic chicken wire."  As Doug Peeples notes in his recent article, "It has a breaking strength 200 times stronger than steel, but it's so thin that three million sheets would give you a stack one millimeter thick." Will it be a smart grid wonder?  Only time will tell.  In the meantime, it's certainly interesting to keep an eye on.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Land Services project ranked Top 10 nationally

CONGRATULATIONS to our Land Acquisition team for their outstanding efforts in the Texas Drive - West Milham Ave. - 12th St. Roundabout Project with the City of Portage for our client, Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc.

The International Right of Way Association announced today that the project was selected as one of the Top 10 Right-of-Way projects in the country.

Great job, Team!

Getting excited about wind

Evel Knievel in one of his many breathtaking stunts.

I love the feeling of the fresh air on my face and the wind blowing through my hair.  So said famed dare-devil, Evel Knievel. 

He's not the only one.  

Folks in Holland, Michigan, are also getting excited about the wind these days.  They have good reason to.  They've asked Commonwealth to analyze the cost and effect of interconnecting a wind farm in Allegan County to BPW's electrical transmission system.  

Read more here

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Google us!

If you haven't already, why not take a minute and check out our new Google profile.  If you need additional information about us, our products or services, please don't hesitate to contact us at (517) 788-3000 or by email...we look forward to doing business with you!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Engineering -- a Labor of Love

Hope you had a terrific Labor Day weekend!  It's a cooler, although gorgeous day here at Commonwealth HQ. 


Just a quick reminder that we are hiring in several of our offices around the country for various positions, so if you or someone you know would like to labor alongside of us doing rewarding work in the engineering field, please feel free to check out our openings HERE and let us hear from you!

Enjoy the short week!