Connect With Confidence at Commonwealth

Twister lessons

2012-03-05T07:42:00.004-08:00

The game "Twister" vividly demonstrates how intertwined people and lives can become. If you've ever played it, you know just how hard it is to make a move without touching or impacting others. So, too, when real life deals us a tragedy, such as the devastation resulting from the twisters in the US Midwest and South. We cannot remain unaffected, regardless of location or personal involvement. That's why we, at Commonwealth, stand united with all of those in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina who have experienced loss and are hurting. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this time and as they begin the courageous task of rebuilding their homes, their communities, and their lives.

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We're Golden!

2012-03-02T13:32:00.006-08:00

First, there was the Midwest heartland....

Next, it was the rugged Pacific Northwest....

Then, came the gracious and storied South, followed by the historic Mid-Atlantic, so the sunny Southwest couldn't be far behind!

Accordingly, Commonwealth is pleased to report that our newest office has opened in the "Golden State"!

We're thrilled to be in Oakland, California and, while it's not quite finished, we wanted to give you a sneak peak into our new digs.

From L-R: Rich Collins, Joe Fore, Ann Watson,
Judy Dinglasan, Steve Miller , and John White.

L-R: Ann Watson, Kathy Klaus, and Judy Dinglasan.

L-R: Joe Fore, Jeanette Dodge, and Ann Watson.

This is just the latest in the continuing story of Commonwealth's exciting growth and commitment to be best positioned to meet the expanding needs of our clients today and in the future.

Stay tuned to find out what's next!

(Thanks to Diane Wilkie, Commonwealth's Manager of Document Management, for the photos.)

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New faces, new places

2012-02-27T12:08:00.004-08:00

You may have noticed that Commonwealth is growing...

Our Atlanta office has doubled;
We've opened an office in California;
Our Power Generation services have expanded; and
We have hired additional top-notch talent to meet your projects' needs.

In an earlier post, we introduced you to Sam Barnes, our new VP of Power Generation. Another new face we'd like you to meet, if you haven't already, is Everette Chartier, P.E.

Chartier, an industry veteran primarily working with clients in the Western U.S., brings 40-plus years of experience with engineering, construction, project management, contract negotiations, planning, and operations related to substation, transmission, distribution, underground, communications, automatic controls, and power plant projects, including air quality control.

Mr. Charter received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University and his M.B.A. in Management from Arizona State University. He is a Professional Engineer registered in Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas. Everette can be reached at eechartier@cai-engr.com or by telephone at 303-378-2461.

With our continuing growth, we trust that you will find our commitment to quality work and outstanding service as strong as, if not stronger than, ever. That's because Connect with Confidence is not just a slogan -- it's our unwavering promise to you.

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A Rockin' Place to Work

2012-02-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

You might have heard that we recently were rated among the best and coolest places to work. Now, you can read the feature article as it appeared in Jackson Magazine! Simply click HERE.

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WE'RE HIRING!

2012-02-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

NEW!

Power Generation & Energy Group Job Listings

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Department: Power Generation & Energy
Location: Jackson, MI
Reports to: Department Manager

Responsible for:
- Guiding junior-level engineers and designers in mechanical engineering design and engineering study efforts.
- Working on challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving mechanical engineering issues involving boilers, balance of plant equipment, air pollution control equipment, steam turbines, gas turbines and water treatment systems.
- Routine work, to include: developing integrated systems designs and performing supporting calculations; preparing technical specifications for mechanical engineering equipment; preparing engineering studies; performing independent reviews of work performed by others, including calculations and drawing preparation; coordinating and providing guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design; performing reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements and presenting findings and recommendations to clients and peers; and mentoring less-experienced engineers.
- Potential project management of smaller projects.

Requirements:
- 10 or more years of experience in the design of mechanical engineering systems for non-commercial heavy-industrial plants (power or chemical), with a focus on integrated, detailed system design for new plants, modifications, or replacements. Past experience should include selection of equipment, piping materials, and control philosophy, as well as preparation of performance sizing calculations and specifications. Sound working knowledge of heat balances or piping design is a plus.
- Candidates must hold a BSME or MSME degree from an ABET-accredited university; be able to coordinate their work with others; have good leadership, communication, analytical and organizational skills; and have experience in serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.

Construction, commissioning, and start-up experience is a plus.

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Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
Department: Power Generation & Energy
Location: Jackson, MI
Reports to: Department Manager

This position offers you a great opportunity to be a part of an I&C engineering and design team engaged in design of distributed control systems, modifications to new and existing power generation facilities, and plant controls betterment projects. The ideal candidate will have experience with instrumentation and final control elements, distributed control systems, and programmable logic controllers as applied to power plant systems. Experience with logic diagrams, instrumentation installation details, piping and instrument diagrams, motor control schematics, specifications, studies, and cost estimating is desired.

Requirements:
- 10+ years of applicable experience
- BS or MS degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited university
- Registration as a professional engineer.
- Must have good communication, analytical, organizational and computer skills and be able to coordinate your work with others.

We are looking for a person who has leadership skills, pays attention to accuracy, is detail oriented, can be responsible for self-directed learning, consistently meets deadlines, is able to work on several projects at a time, and can deliver both large and small projects.

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Designing power delivery when and where you need it

2012-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wenatchee, Washington

Douglas PUD plans new transmission line

By Christine Pratt
World staff writer

Friday, February 10, 2012

EAST WENATCHEE — The Douglas County PUD will begin work this summer on a new 230 kilovolt transmission line needed to more reliably keep the lights on as the city grows.

PUD spokeswoman Meaghan Vibbert said the $13 million line will stretch 13 miles from the utility’s Douglas Switchyard near Rocky Reach Dam up and across Badger Mountain and down to its Rapids Switchyard in Rock Island. Work should be finished in the summer of 2013.

The line will follow an established “transmission corridor” that already includes high-voltage lines owned by the Bonneville Power Administration, the Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy.

Despite the new line’s origin near Rocky Reach Dam, the Douglas Substation connects to and carries electricity generated at the Douglas PUD’s Wells Dam, near Pateros on the Columbia River, Vibbert said.

The new line is necessary to bolster East Wenatchee’s existing delivery system, which studies have shown is vulnerable to overloads in some neighborhoods under certain conditions — a problem expected to worsen as the city grows.

The new line will bring the system up to federal energy reliability standards and reduce the likelihood of stress-caused outages or drops in voltage, known as “brown outs,” which cause lights to dim, according to information provided by Vibbert.

Commonwealth Associates Inc. of Mount Vernon is designing the project, which will be built on single, steel poles. A construction contract will be advertised and awarded in the coming weeks.

The new line is considered a large project for the PUD. Vibbert said that its estimated $13 million price tag is larger than the typical annual capital budget for the utility’s electric distribution system.

Christine Pratt: 665-1173

pratt@wenatcheeworld.com

http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/feb/10/douglas-pud-plans-new-transmission-line/

Business Unit News - Power Generation & Energy Group

2012-02-09T07:12:00.005-08:00

Barnes to lead veteran team as Commonwealth

expands power generation services

JACKSON, MI – Commonwealth Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce that Samuel R. Barnes, P.E. has joined the company as Vice President of the Power Generation & Energy Group. “With over 21 years’ experience in the design, installation, and project management of power generation projects, Sam is a tremendous asset to our team,” stated Commonwealth President, Dennis F. DeCosta, P.E.

Barnes is a registered professional mechanical engineer in the state of Michigan and received his B.S. from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining Commonwealth, he served as Vice President and Director of Engineering at HDR Engineering/Cummins & Barnard, Inc., in Ann Arbor. DeCosta continued, “Sam brings the level of expertise in power generation that our clients have come to trust and expect from us in our other service areas, most notably our transmission and distribution work. He was the obvious choice to lead our expansion in this area.” “Commonwealth is an exceptional organization known in the industry for its technical excellence, strong client relationships, and professional integrity. I am pleased to be able to serve in this new capacity and to build a best-in-class group for our clients,” commented Barnes. Senior Consultant Steven P. Yambor, P.E., widely considered a veteran in the power generation industry, stated, “Personally, I saw the vision, knew the potential, and, having previously worked with Sam, knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Mr. Barnes can be reached at sam.barnes@cai-engr.com or by telephone at 517-817-1616.

Commonwealth offers a complete package of engineering and consulting services for clients and is proud to be listed among the 2011 Top 40 Design Firms by EC&M Magazine and the 2011 Top 500 Design Firms by ENR.com. The company maintains principal offices in Mount Vernon, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; and Jackson, Michigan, along with satellites in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio and Roanoke, Virginia.

For more information:, please visit: www.cai-engr.com.

On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/commonwealthassociates

On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/caiengr_dot_com

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Coal ash pond closing? What now? Find out in Baltimore!

2012-02-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

ELECTRIC POWER 2012, which will be held this year from May 15-17, in Baltimore, Maryland, is the largest coal power conference in the U.S. Commonwealth's own Sam Barnes, Vice President of Power Generation & Energy, will be a featured speaker. Don't miss it! See details below....

Wet FGD Blowdown Treatment
Coal Ash Pond Water Treatment
Wastewater Characterizations


Chair:	Dr. Jerry Pell, Environmental Scientist. Project Manager; Office of Electricity (OE), U.S. Department of Energy
Co-Chair:	Ira Brodsky, AQCS Specialist, URS Corporation
Speaker(s):	My Coal Ash Pond Will Be Closed - What Do I Do With the Wastewater? Sam Barnes, Vice President - Power Generation and Energy, Commonwealth Associates, Inc.
	Passive Treatment of Coal Ash Leachate Eric McCleary, Restoration Ecologist, Greenhorne & O'Mara Inc.
	The Current and Future Use of Deep Injection Well Technology in the Power Generation Industry Edward McCullers, GM Deep Well Operations, Layne Christensen Company Co-Author(s): David McNabb, CEO, McNabb Hydrogeologic Consulting, Inc. Mark McNeal, CEO, ASRus, LLC
	Chemistry Data Collection for Statistical Analysis Matthew Heermann, Sargent & Lundy LLC

Sam Barnes is Vice President - Power Generation and Energy, Commonwealth Associates, Inc. He has 21 years of experience in the power industry. As a mechanical engineer and a project manager Sam has been involved in design, consulting and development of coal and gas fired plants. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSME and is a trustee on the board of Jackson Community College.

Best Practice Story: Whether or not coal ash becomes classified as hazardous waste, coal plant owners may be looking at converting their ash systems from wet to dry for any number of reasons. But what does this do to the plant's water mass balance and where will the process wastewater go? There are some steps that should be followed so that all effects are taken into consideration. First, start by characterizing the plant's wastewater flows for both quantity and quality. Future considerations that could add or take away from wastewater generation must be documented. Once a clear picture of the amount and nature of wastewater is known, modifications can be reviewed that will minimize the amount of wastewater generated. Modifications may include both physical changes and operational changes. Once wastewater generation has been minimized, treatment before release to an outfall must be considered. The final step is evaluation of appropriate treatment options and choosing the one that balances compliance, project cost and operating and maintenance costs. This paper will also address upcoming regulatory issues that will likely decide the extent of treatment necessary. The most likely treatment scenarios will also be addressed.

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The Groundhog Has Spoken

2012-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

You might not be aware that groundhog hairs are used for tying trout flies, such as the 'Chuck Caddis, or that early American Indians once used sturdy woodchuck hides for the soles of moccasins, but I bet you're aware that Phil saw his shadow again and it's six more weeks of winter! That's why, about this time, you might want to consider a terrific Commonwealth job in our Atlanta office. To find out what's available, click here.

Once you've done that, you might want to discover the other interesting facts about groundhogs you might not know: http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/96/2.1.96/facts.html

Stay warm!

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[PAPER] MISO MVPs: A Hidden Opportunity for Michigan's Rate Payers and Economy

2012-01-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Editors' Note: Commonwealth's Transmission Mapping Solution was used by Mr. Miller to acquire the information needed to create the map that is the central figure in the presentation. For more information about Transmission Mapping for Network Analysis, please click here or view the product list.

Overview

Despite FERC’s ruling to the contrary[1], the conventional wisdom in Michigan is that MISO’s Multi-Value Projects (MVP) scheme for paying for transmission projects is a financial loser for Michigan.

See for example:

1. http://commonwealthassociates.blogspot.com/2011/10/federal-energy-regulatory-commission.html

2. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959104576081752433251550.html

3. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204527804576043893513811886.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Because Michigan is composed of two peninsulas, the thinking is that there isn’t any reason that MVP’s will be built in Michigan. While this thinking maybe right, let’s examine a concept that might turn this equation on its head. Before we do, let’s review some of the conditions that create the opportunity for the concept.

Background

For background, here are some key issues:

Geography: While Michigan is composed of peninsulas, we are not Florida. The Detroit and St. Clair rivers are not the Atlantic Ocean and the Sault River is not the North Sea. The Straits of Mackinac are negotiable and even Lake Michigan isn’t the Caribbean.

Connection with the regional Independent System Operator MISO: With the shift of members to PJM, Michigan no longer has any significant direct ties with other MISO members. It might only be a matter of time before Lower Peninsula Michigan entities join the crowd and join PJM without a game changer to reinvigorate the relationship.

MISO Market Area[2]

MISO Reliability Coordination Area[3]

Potential Resources: Michigan has vast amounts of potential renewable energy, mostly wind. Using the highly successful Ludington Pump Storage plant as an example, Michigan’s lakeshore has the potential for cheap energy storage with proven technology. If Michigan becomes a hotbed of battery activity, the experience with storage could morph easily into other forms of storage. Michigan has some natural gas and gas storage and good connections to the natural gas pipeline network making modern natural gas fired generators attractive. Although some will certainly disagree about the merits of nuclear power, Michigan is seismically stable, free of hurricanes and typhoons, and there has never been a tsunami on Lake Huron. While some may argue that the proximity to its vast fresh water resources is a risk for nuclear power, this risk seems manageable absent the probability of a catastrophic geological event. Finally, Michigan is in close proximity to Canada and its vast resources of hydro power and, to a lesser extent, natural gas and oil.

Power Supply Challenges: The coal generation in Michigan is old. Those plants that are not killed by new environmental regulations risk simply dying a natural death from old age. Michigan’s fate could be worse if this and other aging generation is kept alive by enormous investments in environmental controls and maintaining electric reliability requires Michigan to be at the terminus of massive MVP transmission projects through Illinois, Indiana, and beyond.

Electric Reliability: While efforts are being made to insure bulk power electric reliability, the reality is that these efforts have not yet resulted in infrastructure improvements in the form of transmission improvements that substantially change the structure. Consequently, the next Northeast blackout is going to look pretty much like the last two with system separation occurring somewhere in Michigan, east in Ontario, or east along lines through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and western New York. Provided AEP’s network of 765 kV lines does not become overloaded with power flowing from “PJM West” to the original parts of PJM and NYISO, the cascading blackout will stop north of this 765 kV back bone.

Concept

With these facts held in mind, our concept is that Michigan should be a Mecca for major transmission projects with the MVP designation. Specifically, these projects would be major transmission lines crossing the Upper Peninsula and major transmission lines, similar to the 765 kV projects that ITC once proposed, built between Chicago and Detroit.

The proposed MVP in the Lower Peninsula would originate at the 765 kV Dumont substation or at the Cook Power plant that is served by a radial extension of the 765 kV network. Following mostly existing right-of-ways, it would go north to Kenowa (or Vegennes) and turn east to pass Thetford and end at Scott (Lambton). A segment south from Thetford to Marysville or South Canton might also be added.

On the west, extensions to Collins or Plano could be added to meet up with new transmission supporting renewable generation in the Northern Plains. On the east, extension to Longwood would add a tie to the Canadian 500 kV system.

The proposed MVP in the Upper Peninsula would consist of segments from western Wisconsin (or Minnesota) to Sault Saint Marie, from Arnold to Saint Ignace, from Saint Ignace to Sault Saint Marie, and from Saint Ignace and the Straights to Livingston. Construction of this could be at 345 kV, 500 kV, 765 kV, direct current. The project in the east could be extended to the Hamner substation to tie into the Canadian 500 kV. The key idea is to build massive transmission to take renewable energy generation from Minnesota and the Dakotas and ship it to the Midwest and beyond. The path from these regions and the Midwest and New York and beyond is shorter than the path around the south end of Lake Michigan and it avoids the heavy congestion around the south end of Lake Michigan.

Perhaps the most radical feature of this connection is a new, international connection at the Sault, where no substantial connection currently exists. Controlling the flows in a precisely regulated way may be desirable and necessary at the connection points to Canada. To do so requires modern back-to-back converters like the one currently being installed in New Jersey to service a new connection to New York.

Here are some rough estimates of segment lengths that are probably biased on the low side because they may not include enough length to account for routing compromises.

Segment	Length (miles)
Stone Lake – Hanmer	543
9 Mile – St Ignace	40
Gardner Park – St. Ignace	274
St. Ignace – Livingston	58
Dumont – Thetford	223
Thetford - Lambton	90
Lambton –Longwood	45
Thetford – South Canton	257
Total	1,530

Concept Benefits

While no thorough study of all the elements of this concept have been made, aside from directing more MVPs to Michigan, it has some immediate, obvious potential benefits, in that it:

Provides a transmission backbone to import and export power into and through Michigan. Ideally this would help lead to a self-sufficient Michigan and perhaps increase the likelihood that Michigan might become a net generation exporter, both to the west to Chicago and to the east to NYISO and PJM. Ties to Canada would allow better resource management with opportunities for optimizing the use of Canadian hydro versus renewable energy resources in Michigan. The concept provides an alternative path and exploits existing transmission resource for renewable electric generation originating from the Upper Midwest to New York and PJM. This concept should be advantageous compared to alternatives because it avoids both transmission congestion and corridor congestion south of Lake Michigan.
Increases the regional system reliability. The plan addresses local reliability problems associated with importing power into southwest Michigan and local problems in the Upper Peninsula. It also has the potential for addressing super regional problems such as the loop flows around Lake Erie and underlying problems that would reduce the probability of another “northeast” blackout.
The concept restores physical ties and strengthens virtual ties to MISO. This should have a variety of advantages, including making operations easier and reducing or eliminating difficulties associated with constructing a reasonable market, including impacts on LMP calculations. If Michigan eventually goes to PJM, the infrastructure will retain or have enhanced value.

Michigan Support for the Concept

Provided this concept has merit, other than promoting the idea so that it is studied and understood, the concept of building MVP transmission in Michigan should stand on its own when compared to other methods of addressing the regions transmission needs. That said, here some thoughts on how Michigan can enhance the chances of obtaining MISO MVPs.

Create a regulatory climate that removes barriers to long linear projects while protecting the legitimate interests of stakeholders. Uniform statewide rules with respect to acquiring right-of-way are important. The State could review its land holdings to see if any are appropriate for this activity. Michigan already has a leg up, because its transmission is owned by strongly-favored independent transmission owners. While both are unique, either is, or would be, a great proponent of these projects.
Exercise Michigan’s long standing skills as a border state and its knowledge of international projects with Canada. Canadian “buy in” would go a long way to add value to these projects. This is not trivial, because the relationship between MISO and the Ontario Independent System operator is not robust, at least not in the planning activity.
Generation drives transmission, so Michigan should make it as easy as reasonably possible to build wind, natural gas, and pumped storage generation. Michigan is a net importer of electric energy and fuel to produce the electric energy that is generated in Michigan. Although it is not an issue for wind-generated energy, water is often a key component of thermal generation projects. We should be sure that Michigan’s advantage is not negated by national rules that are appropriate for water usage from sources such as the Colorado River and regions like the Southwest, but irrelevant to the water conditions in Michigan. Provided the generation is economically competitive in Michigan and for export, Michigan’s economy would be greatly enhanced by being self-sufficient, or even a net provider of electric power.
Continue to look for opportunities to create new storage technologies, particularly those associated with the automotive industry. Michigan needs to be smart and shouldn’t chase technology for technology’s sake, but if the economic case can be made, the link should be exploited. For example, because battery packs have useful life after they are no longer useful in an automotive application, their remaining capabilities might be exploited in fixed plants providing storage for the grid. This could result in a valuable link in the economic and environmental life cycle of automotive battery packs.

In conclusion, MISO MVPs may be bad policy for Michigan, but we have outlined a concept that can and should be explored that would result in MVP dollars being spent in Michigan on alternatives that are potentially superior to those proposed or that are in the planning stages.

[1] http://www.ferc.gov/media/news-releases/2011/2011-4/10-20-11-E-11.asp

[2] https://www.midwestiso.org/Library/Repository/Communication%20Material/Corporate/Corporate%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

[3] https://www.midwestiso.org/Library/Repository/Communication%20Material/Corporate/Corporate%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

MISO MVPs and Michigan: Bad policy or hidden opportunity?

2012-01-26T06:25:00.000-08:00

In an October 21st posting, we addressed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) ruling on the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.'s (MISO) multi-value projects (MVPs) cost allocation scheme and the strong response to it in Michigan, a state in which it is being questioned whether or not the costs will actually be in line with the benefits received (see http://commonwealthassociates.blogspot.com/2011/10/federal-energy-regulatory-commission.html).

Stephen S. Miller, P.E.

Commonwealth's Stephen S. Miller, P.E., Section Manager for TRANSMISSION 2000®, will be offering an interesting take on the situation tomorrow, Friday, January 27th, as one of the featured speakers at the Michigan Forum on Economic Regulatory Policy put on by Michigan State University's Institute of Public Utilities at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. He will be taking a look at Michigan's unique geography, the connection with the regional Independent System Operator, potential resources, power supply challenges, electric reliability, international relations, and new technologies, particularly those associated with the automotive industry.

Miller has more than 33 years of experience in the analysis and planning of electric utility systems and the design and development of associated software programs, particularly the TRANSMISSION 2000® series of programs -- including Power Flow, Short Circuit, and Transient Stability -- designed to improve the analysis and planning of utility transmission systems.

A copy of his presentation will be posted here.

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Coming to Life Beneath the Hudson

2012-01-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

Photo by Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Like proud parents watching their child walk for a diploma, one of Commonwealth's goals for our conceptual plans and project evaluations is to see them written in steel and concrete. However, for a variety of reasons, planning studies frequently result in long-forgotten reports buried on a shelf or an electronic drive somewhere. We are proud to provide our clients with the experience, talent, and unique combination of resources that turn concepts into projects -- projects like the one, years in the planning, now coming to life beneath the Hudson River between Midtown Manhattan and New Jersey in New York Harbor.

In 2006, Commonwealth assisted the New York Power Authority (NYPA) with evaluating power supply options for New York City. Shortly after providing advice in the form of study conclusions and work papers, NYPA selected the project we recommended. This New York Times article highlights the progress toward implementation of that project.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/27/nyregion/crew-lays-power-cable-beneath-the-hudson.html?_r=1

http://www.projectfinancemagazine.com/Article/2413302/Sectors-Power/NYPA-picks-New-York-City-suppliers.html

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Do you have a plan for Storm Water Pollution Prevention?

2011-12-30T07:39:00.000-08:00

PROTECTING our environment, especially streams and wetlands, is a responsibility that Commonwealth and our clients take seriously. During the design development phase of our energy projects, Commonwealth’s environmental staff are working with the utility engineers, right-of-way personnel, and contractors to plan for soil erosion control and to minimize the impacts caused by construction, including off road access and installation of structures.

On developing land, erosion frequently presents in the form of gully erosion on land disturbed for a year or less. Gully erosion, the result of concentrated flows of surface runoff, generates high sediment volumes requiring costly clean-up and the continual need for site stabilization during development. A construction site typically erodes at a rate of 50 tons/acre/year. This erosion rate is 5 times greater than cropland erosion, and 250 times greater than woodland erosion. These land changes are the source of much of the sediment that pollutes our streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

In 1972, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, PL 92-500 and Amendments, were passed. Section 208 of PL 92-500 required that area-wide plans be prepared to control pollution from all sources, including urban-industrial areas. The goal of PL 92-500 was to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waterways.” In 1992, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that states, that had been given the authority to administer provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Section 466 et seq.) and issue National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, make provisions for the regulation of discharges of stormwater and dewatering waste waters from construction activities.

Commonwealth has been expanding our services in providing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) for transmission line construction projects. On route map drawings, we are incorporating access routes and storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) measures per U.S. EPA and State standards. These plans include a narrative, location, and details of the controls. For transmission projects, this includes: drainage patterns and final slopes (in most cases the existing and final will be the same); areas of soil disturbance; location and details of controls to be used on the site; best management practices (BMPs); and the method for stabilization of disturbed areas, both temporary and permanent. BMPs include such things as: vegetative buffers, tracking surfaces, check dams, silt fence, temporary fords, treatment and release for dewatering, and site restoration and stabilization. The intent of these drawings is to show how sediment will be kept out of the streams and wetlands; prevent any off-site accumulations, including tracking onto public roads; and restore the site once construction is complete.

GENERAL

Soil erosion involves the wearing away of the surface of the land by the action of wind, water, ice, and gravity. Once worn away, the detached soil particles are transported and ultimately deposited, resulting in sedimentation. Geologic or "natural" erosion and sedimentation occur over long periods of geologic time, resulting in the wearing away of highlands and the building up of lowlands. In general, natural erosion and sedimentation occur at a very slow rate. Erosion and sedimentation become a problem when they are accelerated beyond natural rates. Accelerated erosion is primarily the result of the influence of human activities on the environment. Once exposed, unprotected soil is subject to rapid erosion by the action of wind, water, ice or gravity. In many parts of the US, sediment produced by uncontrolled erosion is the greatest pollutant by volume impacting our lakes, streams, and wetlands. Everyone in these areas is affected by erosion and off-site sedimentation. Erosion and sedimentation result in: loss of fertile topsoil, filling of lakes and streams, increased flooding, damage to plant and animal life, and structural damage to buildings and roads.

One period of higher erosion potential exists during the spring thaw. It is a time when the coastal storm track increases rainfall potential. Additionally, because the ground is still partially frozen, the absorptive capacity is reduced. While frozen soils are relatively erosion resistant, they melt from the top down, creating a soft erodible surface over a hard impervious sub-surface. In northern climates, thawing of the soils often occurs in conjunction with the early spring rains combined with snow melt. Additionally, soils with high moisture content are subject to frost heaving and can be very easily eroded upon thawing. Wind and water are the main agents of soil erosion. The amount of soil they can carry away is influenced by two related factors:

1. Speed - the faster either moves, the more soil it can erode; and

2. Cover - mulch, organic litter, plants, and hardscape protect the soil and, in their absence, wind and water can do much more damage. Vegetative cover plays an important role in controlling erosion by protecting soil surface from the impact of falling rain, holding soil particles in place, enhancing the soil’s capacity to absorb water, slowing the velocity of runoff, removing subsurface water between rain falls through the process of evapo-transporation, and improving infiltration rates.

By limiting and/or staging the removal of existing vegetation, and by decreasing the area and duration of exposure, soil erosion and sedimentation can be significantly reduced. Give special consideration to the maintenance of existing vegetative cover on areas of high erosion potential such as erodible soils, steep slopes, ditches, and the banks of streams.

The contribution of water pollutants from your property may be small; however, when hundreds of small inputs are added together or aimed at sensitive areas, the impact is significant. There are a number of things that homeowners can do that are simple and, in the end, will be very cost effective:

1. Become familiar with the natural drainage patterns of your property. Try not to alter them. Proper site design will help you avoid costly erosion control measures.

2. Contact your town, county, or state offices to find out whether permits will be needed from them and, if so, secure any necessary permits and applications.

3. Plan to preserve existing vegetation as much as possible. Vegetation will naturally take up water, trap sediment, curb erosion, and improve the appearance and the value of your property. Mark the trees and shrubs that you want to protect. The root systems of grasses, shrubs, and trees help keep sloped surfaces in place. Less erosion will occur on a vegetated hillside than on one without vegetation. This is extremely important near water. A vegetated buffer area can stabilize stream banks and be a last line of defense to absorb pollutants before they reach a river or lake. An ideal buffer area is 25 to 50 feet of uncut grasses, shrubs and trees, but even a smaller strip can be beneficial. Remember that heavy machinery must be kept well away from trees to avoid compacting their roots.

4. For construction projects, discuss all aspects of the job with your contractor, including what erosion control measures will be used, such as installing silt fence on the down slope sides of exposed soil or around soil stock piles. This is very important because there are laws concerning non-point source pollution and sediment is considered a non-point source pollutant.

5. Locate soil piles away from any roads or waterways.

6. Plan earth disturbing activities early in the year so that you can re-vegetate the site before the end of the growing season. Grass and vegetation help curb erosion. Plan to mulch disturbed sites if construction is delayed past the growing season. This will protect bare soil during the winter and from spring runoff.

7. Use temporary seed, such as an annual rye, to stabilize bare areas, including stockpiles, until removed or re-graded. Mulch can also be used when temporary seeding is not feasible.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc!

2011-12-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s!

H a p p y H a n u k k a h!

H a p p y K w a n z a a!

Whatever you're celebrating, we wish you a delightful holiday! We hope that, as you gather together with family and friends, you give and receive more joy than your hands and heart can hold. To those traveling, we wish you safe travels.

We also want to let you know how very much we appreciate each one of our clients who allow us the privilege of working on your projects and becoming part of your circle of trust. Our goal each day is to provide you with more reasons to Connect With Confidence. It's not just a slogan to us.

If you want a chuckle, check out this bit about an engineer's take on Christmas: http://www.engineeringedu.com/Santa.html. Who knows, perhaps it will save you time figuring it our for yourself...assuming you haven't already. ;)

Is your family at risk this Christmas?

2011-12-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

You've seen the headlines...

Local family struggling to cope as fire destroys home....

It's devastating anytime, and especially at Christmas. It doesn't have to happen.

We are proud to design ways to deliver power where it's needed most and we do so with safety in mind. That's why, as we approach year's end with all its festivities and celebration, we want to take a brief minute to share some important reminders about holiday lighting that could save your life or the lives of those you love.

Outdoor Lighting

Double check the lights for any frayed wires or cracks and be sure there is a light in each socket; damaged strands should be discarded.
If you decide to add more lights, don't use a ladder anywhere near overhead wires; be sure the ladder is securely placed on level ground.
Lights should be approved by Underwriters Laboratory; "UL" will be clearly displayed on the tag. And be sure the lights are approved for outdoor use.
Check to make sure tacks or nails were not hammered into the electrical cord during installation; most lights now have clips that can be used to attach to the house.
Be sure heavy-duty, outdoor extension cords are being used.
If possible, outdoor lights and any inflatable decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
Use a timer, or turn off the lights before going to bed.

Indoor Lighting

Continue to check lights for frayed wires or any other damage, particularly if there is a pet in the household.
Don't overload extension cords; no more than three sets of standard lights should be used per cord.
For special ornaments that plug into a bulb receptacle, use no more than two such ornaments per strand, or check the manufacturer's directions.
Lights should not touch drapes, furniture or carpeting.
Do not leave lights on overnight.
If you have children in your home, use safety caps on all electrical outlets

Safety tips courtesy of FirstEnergy via PR Newswire.

On Location: Roanoke, Virginia

2011-12-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we are featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations. We are pleased to continue this week by introducing you to our Roanoke, Virginia office in America's picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Nicknamed "The Star City," Roanoke, Virginia is considered the cultural and business hub of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is the fourth largest city in the state and is home to many cultural attractions. Roanoke's bustling city center is filled with lovely historic buildings, amazing upscale restaurants and great shops. It's easy to spend a whole day just exploring the blocks of this amazing area. You may wish to stop by the historic City Market to see the produce and wares grown and created by local producers, especially as Roanoke is located within the designated “North Fork of Roanoke” winemaking region.

Love the outdoors? Try hiking, biking, walking nature trails, fishing, and paddling in the cool, clear waters. You’ll find an abundance of natural choices in Roanoke with 69 parks, 5 greenways, Carvin’s Cove, the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, and Appalachian Trail.

The Roanoke Valley is conveniently located off of Interstate 81 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley. Experience the railroad heritage, take in the arts and culture, shop, eat and enjoy the wealth of outdoor recreation in the heart of breathtaking mountains. Surrounded by scenic beauty, the Roanoke region is a perfect place for Commonwealth employees to live and work.

Soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Experience Roanoke's exciting nightlife

Follow your rising star to "The Star City"

Shop, dine, and explore in downtown Roanoke

Pretty as a picture!

Children of all ages enjoy the Shenandoah Valley's rich railroad heritage

Just a few of the highlights:

On Location: Mount Vernon, Washington

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we are featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations. We are pleased to continue this week by introducing you to our Mount Vernon, Washington office in the rugged and majestic Pacific Northwest. We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

"Spectacular!" "Breathtaking!" "Magnificent!"

These are just a few of the words sure to come to mind when you visit our Mount Vernon location.

Nestled between the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound to the West and the Cascade Mountains with the scenic Cascade Loop drive to the East, Mount Vernon, Washington is the county seat of Skagit County.

At just 60 miles from Seattle and 90 miles from Vancouver, it is an easy distance to virtually anything you might have in mind. Skagit County features an abundance of action, adventure, relaxation, and culture, but you don't have to leave home to find recreation, entertainment, and family fun, because Mount Vernon has enjoyed a rating of #1 "Best Small City in America."

Historic Downtown Mount Vernon offers much in the way of boutique and antique shopping and fine dining, or you may wish to grab lunch at one of the great eateries and enjoy the day at Edgewater Park. Perhaps you'd prefer to walk your dog along the miles of paved trails, take a whale-watching tour in the San Juans, kayak the Skagit River, or go eagle-watching in Concrete.

In Mount Vernon, the sky's truly the limit.

Be surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery

Explore the limitless playground

Witness firsthand the majestic Bald Eagle in flight

Mount Vernon, a nature lover's paradise

Enjoy the gorgeous Tulip Festival

Tackle the slopes of Mt. Baker

Just a few of the highlights:

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A Special "Black Friday" Option

2011-11-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

If you will be in the Jackson area and looking for something different to do on Friday, consider brunch at The Granary at Ella Sharp Museum:

BLACK FRIDAY BRUNCH*

9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hot New Orleans Style Beignets
Eggs Benedict - traditional or with salmon cakes

A Variety of Homemade Quiche to include:

Salmon with fresh dill and hollandaise,

Tomato Herb with Goat Cheese

Traditional Quiche Lorraine

Bananas Foster French Toast

Bagels and Homemade Gravlax

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Homemade Corned Beef Hash

Scandinavian Apple Puff Pancake (Pfannakuchen)

And our regular lunch menu too.

...and touring the W.A. Foote exhibit to learn more about Commonwealth’s roots. There is a $5.00 admission fee for the galleries.

*The Granary does not take reservations for groups <6 people.

(With special thanks to Monica Collett for the great suggestion!)

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Commonwealth Pool Tourney Results

2011-11-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU to the company and the participants who helped make Commonwealth's 4th Annual Pool Tournament a success!

Trophies were awarded to our first and second-place finishers, and a very special "Horse’s Rear" trophy was awarded to the team in last place.

And now, for our award recipients...

In first place were the illustrious team of Dave "the Destroyer" Myers and John "Right Pocket" Raymond.

Finishing second were "Magnificent" Mike Petty and Kevin "the Krusher" Stone.

Receiving the non-coveted "Horse's Rear" trophy were Brett "Bruiser" Broxholm and Chase "Champ" Oxbourgh.

Brett "Bank Shot" Stockhill and "Sensational" Sam Cobb finished third.

Door prizes were awarded to everyone and a special thanks goes out to Sandy Fisher who stopped by to watch.

Thanks again to those who participated – we hope to do it again next year!

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"Vampire" update

2011-11-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

Bela Lugosi as Dracula

For Halloween, we wrote about stand-by or "vampire" energy-consuming devices that cost American consumers an average of $10B annually. You might be pleased to learn of this positive development on that front.

WASHINGTON, D.C. and LOUISVILLE, CO – The U.S. cable industry today announced a new initiative dedicated to improving the energy efficiency of consumer set-top boxes and other devices and developing advanced cable-enabled services designed to promote innovative consumer energy conservation measures. A key element of the initiative is the “CableLabs® – Energy Lab,” a new facility within the cable industry’s R&D consortium that will concentrate exclusively on improving energy efficiency, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CableLabs® announced today.

The energy initiative will promote the development, testing, and deployment of technologies that will enable cable subscribers to reduce and manage energy consumption in the home, including establishing new requirements for both cable video devices and network support systems. Among other things, these specifications will enable the manufacturing of devices that have “sleep” capabilities to reduce power consumption when subscribers are not actively watching television. After successful field testing of set-top boxes with next generation power management semiconductors, cable operators will begin promoting the deployment of these devices as part of their ongoing efforts to provide functional, reliable and energy efficient services.

The resulting increased energy efficiency for new model set-top boxes will improve on the strides in recent years by cable operators to utilize devices with dramatically lower energy consumption than previous generations of equipment. In addition, cable operators providing service to approximately 85 percent of U.S. cable customers have committed to ensure that by the end of 2013 at least 90 percent of all new set-top boxes they purchase and deploy will be ENERGY STAR 3.0 devices....

Reed assumes new post at national engineering firm’s northwest regional office

2011-11-18T08:19:00.001-08:00

MOUNT VERNON, WA – Commonwealth Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce that Paul W. Reed, P.E. has been promoted to the position of Transmission Section Manager in its northwest regional office in Mount Vernon, Washington. “With 13 years’ experience serving the electric utility industry, Paul is an accomplished transmission engineer who brings tremendous insight and expertise to this role,” stated John White, Commonwealth Vice-President and Northwest Regional Manager.

Reed is a registered professional civil engineer in the state of Washington and received his B.S. from the University of Washington. Prior to joining Commonwealth in 2010, he was employed as a Transmission Engineer at HDR Engineering, Inc. and at Puget Sound Energy in Bellevue, Washington. White continued, “Paul looks forward to using his collaborative leadership approach to expand his team and to assist clients in upgrading their transmission infrastructure.” “The people at Commonwealth are a great team and it’s a real privilege to be able to serve in this new capacity,” commented Reed.

Commonwealth offers a complete package of engineering and consulting services for clients and is proud to be listed among the 2011 Top 40 Design Firms by EC&M Magazine and the 2011 Top 500 Design Firms by ENR.com. The company maintains principal offices in Mount Vernon, Washington; Atlanta, Georgia; and Jackson, Michigan, along with satellites in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio and Roanoke, Virginia.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cai-engr.com/

On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/commonwealthassociates

On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/caiengr_dot_com

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On Location: Atlanta, Georgia

2011-11-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learn more about us, we will be featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations. We are pleased to continue this series by introducing you to the great southern city of Atlanta, also affectionately known as "The Big Peach." We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Despite its humble beginnings as a settlement at the intersection of two railroad lines, Atlanta today is a major business city and the primary transportation hub of the entire Southeastern United States. It contains the country's third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies and is also home to the many cultural institutions and exhibits. As Georgia's Capitol and largest city, Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlantic metropolitan area.

Trendy, gracious, vibrant, and energetic, Atlanta is the ultimate blend of Southern hospitality and multicultural influence, lending to its reputation as one of the nation's leading international cities. Additionally, to the delight of environmentalists, it is unique among all major American cities for its lush tree canopy, earning it the nickname, "City in a Forest."

Whether you are an avid sports fan, a student of urban architecture, or an outdoor enthusiast lured by the balmy climate into one of Atlanta's spectacular city parks, you are sure to find plenty of activities to meet your cultural and recreational needs here.

Atlanta Stadium

Centennial Olympic Park

Atlanta Aquarium

Atlanta Zoo

Just a few of the highlights:

· Atlanta Botanical Garden

·         Georgia Aquarium
·         Fox Theater
·         Braves Museum & Hall of Fame
·         Georgia Dome
·         Centennial Olympic Park
·         Atlanta Motor Speedway

Don't forget to visit us on Facebook for more great photos and information!

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It's that time of year! Are you ready to bring some cheer?!

2011-11-16T08:59:00.000-08:00

**NOW ACCEPTING NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS**

Toys for Tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. In the fall of 1947, Bill's wife, Diane, crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns each year since 1948. Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys and a powerful message of hope to more than 188 million needy children.

Commonwealth Associates, Inc. is proud to assist in this worthy cause. We invite you to participate with us by bringing your new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 12, to our office lobby in Jackson.

Thank you for caring! YOU make the difference!

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A note of thanks...

2011-11-11T11:16:00.000-08:00

Today we recognize and applaud the brave men and women who selflessly serve and have served this country so courageously and honorably. We owe you so much more than words can express.

Please accept our most heartfelt "Thanks."
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On Location: Jackson, Michigan

2011-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

This month, for those considering employment with Commonwealth, or simply wishing to learning more about us, we will be featuring a series of posts showcasing our various office locations. We are pleased to start by introducing you to the city we call "home" -- Jackson, Michigan, location for the headquarters of Commonwealth Associates, Inc. We trust you will find it, as we do, to be a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

From its historic downtown, to the 600 acres of beautiful, open parkland that stretch across the city limits providing limitless outdoor recreational opportunities, Jackson easily earns its designation as one of Michigan’s “Cool Cities.” Once known as the “Crossroads of Michigan” due to its location at the I-94/US 127 junction and its use as a major railway hub, Jackson has become a crossroads of innovation led by an eclectic group of entrepreneurs and artists.

The area features numerous festivals and celebrations and cultural activities abound. Attend the symphony, catch a Broadway show, or stop by the Shakespeare Festival. History buffs may wish to explore Jackson’s captivating history with a visit to the birthplace of the Republican Party “Under the Oaks,” or soak in her rich heritage with tours of Underground Railroad and Civil War sites. Wine lovers can spend the day at their favorite local winery and race fans can try their hand at a lap around the famed Michigan International Speedway. Love the water? You’ll find plenty of it to play in here, so grab your gear and set off on an adventure.

In the “Rose City,” there’s something for everyone…making it the perfect place to call home.

Cascade Falls, Cascades Park

Destination: Downtown - an art lover's paradise

Jackson's Civil War Muster

Just a few of the highlights:

Don't forget to visit us on Facebook for more great photos and information!

What's in our energy future?

2011-11-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

What is the right mix of energy for the future of America?

The globe?

You personally?

Population has just hit the 7 billion mark. What does that mean in terms of energy demand? This article asks the question, "When should we pursue energy transition?"

What are your thoughts?

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/energy-futurist/when-should-we-pursue-energy-transition/159

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This Halloween, it's time to slay some vampires

2011-10-31T05:59:00.000-07:00

National Energy Awareness Month ends today, but our efforts shouldn't. Save money on your energy bills by learning how to spot and destroy the vampires which are draining the lifeblood from your wallet each month. Click HERE to view a larger image.

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The irk with FERC

2011-10-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) met yesterday and reaffirmed their approval of MISO's transmission planning process, potentially sparking further litigation. In support of yesterday's actions, FERC issued this press release.

MISO territory map

FERC's Order 1000 speaks to the issue of whether states can be forced to coordinate on transmission planning and meeting cost obligations for new electricity transmission capacity. It holds that states can be compelled -- which, not unexpectedly, has raised some dander.

That is particularly the case in states such as Michigan, where it is believed that the cost of the tariff would not fairly reflect the limited benefits Michigan would receive, given the state's unique geography. The gold-colored areas on the map above shows MISO's territory.

Steven Transeth

Steven Transeth, consultant for MISO Northeast Customer Coalition and former Michigan Public Service Commissioner wrote this article, published earlier this year in the Wall Street Journal, setting out Michigan's case.

In a telephone interview Thursday, Transeth commented that the meeting offered little to improve the situation of Michigan, which he calls the "worst case scenario" among states. "The Commission's actions demonstrated that, regardless of the rhetoric, FERC intends to push a socialized approach in which rates are not commensurate, costs are not ‘just and reasonable,’ and authority is improperly delegated to a regional group with [differing] loyalties,” said Transeth.

An archived webcast of yesterday's meeting can be found here.

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Education...Engineering the Future

2011-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

Today's headlines shone a clear spotlight on the importance of introducing engineering education to children and young adults as early and often as possible. They are worth sharing here.

Raytheon Donates $1 Million to Expand Engineering is Elementary® Teacher Training

"By helping teachers bring the basic concepts of engineering and technology to life, they will be able to excite future generations of students to become the innovators of tomorrow," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. "We share the Museum of Science's desire to accelerate the adoption of its Engineering is Elementary program, and to support teachers throughout the nation who are committed to instilling a passion for STEM among America's young students."

Elementary schools commonly lack compelling activities and reliable materials for fostering literacy among students in the "E" and "T" of STEM education. The Engineering is Elementary program is designed to fill that gap.

Read complete article here.

Broadcom MASTERS™ 2011 Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Competition Winners Announced in Washington, DC

Through his research, first place winner DANIEL FEENY noticed that some sections of the intertidal zone at Pescadero Beach were rich in species, while other sections of the beach were bare. The difference intrigued him, and he wondered if the force of waves striking the shore affects the diversity and number of organisms living there. He designed an experiment to quantify wave forces in different sections of the intertidal zone and correlate this data with the diversity of organisms in each location.

Second place honors and $10,000 goes to BENJAMIN HYLAK, 14, of West Grove, Penn., for his project on the practical application of a telepresence robot. Benjamin's grandmother lives in a senior residence facility, and he noticed that some of her fellow residents had few or no visitors. He wanted to find a new way for residents to connect with family and friends and decided to build an interactive robot, through which people could virtually visit their loved ones at the facility.

Third place honors and $5,000 goes to I-CHUN LIN, 14, of Plano, Texas for her project on dye-sensitized solar cell efficiency and lifespan. As an active member of her school's recycling club, I-Chun wanted to find an inexpensive, eco-friendly way to harness solar power. She learned that dye-sensitized solar cells are cheaper to manufacture than solar panels, but are not nearly as efficient. She hypothesized that a mixture of dyes would be most efficient, helping the cell to increase its voltage output.

Read complete article here.

Students take adventure in Army engineering

More than 400 local high school students visited Redstone Arsenal Sept. 28 for the 11th annual Adventures in Engineering Day.

Aimed at high school juniors, the purpose of this event was to promote science and engineering disciplines as a career choice. It offered the students an opportunity to observe what engineers do on a daily basis, provided them with hands-on knowledge and encouraged their pursuit of a science.

Read complete article here.

Engineering camp for girls lacks necessary funds

The four-week program, which held its first session this July, aims to introduce high school girls to engineering and provide them the fundamentals and camaraderie necessary to pursue engineering through college. Many of the campers could be the first in their families to attend college.

Serrino said she has noticed more and more women dropping out of the engineering program during her three years at Brown. Women often lack confidence in their intellectual abilities, especially in math and science, she said. Confidence is a key factor for success in higher levels of engineering, she said.

Read complete article here.

October is National Energy Awareness Month!

2011-10-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Government first set aside time to raise energy awareness in 1981 with American Energy Week, which was observed from 1981 through 1985. It became a month-long observance at the DOE in 1986. On September 13, 1991, President George Bush proclaimed October as Energy Awareness Month. Since then, DOE has been conducting energy awareness campaigns each year that promote the wise and efficient use of our nation's energy.

2011's theme is Turn Words into Action; Turn Action into Results. This short article provides some actions you may wish to incorporate this month:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2320093_celebrate-national-energy-awareness-month.html

Finding the balance between stewardship and energy and economic security

2011-09-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

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.

We're going back to college...

2011-09-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

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

Time for a 21st Century Grid

2011-09-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

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.

A big weekend for solar

2011-09-19T06:16:00.000-07:00

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.

.

Truth is stranger than fiction...

2011-09-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

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.

Scan me!

2011-09-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

Your career, your next project, your solutions...can all be found here.

Land Services project ranked Top 10 nationally

2011-09-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

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.

Google us!

2011-09-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

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!

Engineering -- a Labor of Love

2011-09-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

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!

E-Waste Day 2011 was a success!

2011-08-22T13:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all for another successful E-Waste Drive this year!

Many computer items were taken on Thursday for the Eagle Scout Drive. Thanks go to Steve Soltis, Brandon and Laura Kroth for loading up those items, which included:

27 CPU’s

18 Monitors/LCD

5 Printers

1 Scanner

1 large box of miscellaneous parts – keyboards, mice, cables, etc.

The the rest of the items were taken to recycling. Thanks to Gary Higbee and his truck, Steve & Ben Soltis and their 18’ trailer (shown above), and the other movers: Justin Ballew, Tim Weeks, Brett Stockhill and Dave Myers.

Items delivered were:

15 CPU’s

11 Monitors/LCD

8 Printers

3 Scanners

26 Televisions

1 Humifier

2 Vacuum Cleaners

3 Phones

1 Shredder

4 Battery Backups

10 Keyboards

3 Cameras

7 Switches

Boxes of miscellaneous parts – speakers, mice, cables, etc.

Great job, Team Commonwealth!

On the road again...

2011-08-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

We'd love to talk with you about your upcoming projects! We combine the experience and capacity of a large firm, with the energy, attentiveness, and accessibility of a start-up because we are employee-owned and managed.

Look for us at these exciting upcoming events:

Utility Perspectives
Dennis DeCosta and Linda Gray will attend the Utility Perspectives Executive Leadership Symposium September 25-27, 2011, in San Francisco, California.

EEI
Dennis DeCosta, Linda Gray, and Rich Collins will attend the EEI (Edison Electric Institute) Transmission, Distribution, and Metering Conference October 10-12, 2011, in Dallas, Texas.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Dennis DeCosta and Rich Keil will attend the IEEE Substation Committee meeting October 17-20, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Dennis DeCosta and Robert Uddin will attend the IEEE ICC Committee meeting October 23-26, 2011, in Denver Colorado.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Michael Bloder and Clare Patti will attend the IEEE Power System Relay Committee Meeting September 12-15, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Southeast Conference
John White and Dean Scott will attend the Southeast Conference and Annual Meeting September 12-15, 2011 in Ketchikan, Alaska.

MI Association of Airport Executives (MAAE)
Tim Davis, James Aiello, and Desmond Kirkland will attend the MAAE Fall Conference September 12-26, 2011, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

MI Municipal Electric Association (MMEA)
David Shafer and Diane Wilkie will attend the MMEA Fall Conference September 14-16, 2011, in Coldwater, Michigan.

American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA)
Gerry Callison will attend the AREMA Annual Conference September 18-21, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ARMA International
Diane Wilkie will attend ARMA International’s 56th Annual Conference & Expo October 17-19, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) / Alaska Power Association (APA)
John White will attend the NWPPA/APA Alaska Electric Utility Conference November 3-4, 2011, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Don't be in the dark about power outages

2011-08-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

Check out this article by Stephen S. Miller, Senior Member of IEEE, entitled "Extending Traditional Planning Methods to Evaluate the Potential for Cascading Failures in Electric Power Grids."

http://www.cai-engr.com/content/corp/IEEEPanelCA.pdf

Stephen S. Miller, P.E.

Mr. Miller, Section Manager for Commonwealth Associates, Inc.'s TRANSMISSION 2000 (R) software, is active on the IEEE PES CAMS Task Force on Understanding, Prediction, Mitigation, and Restoration of Cascading Failures. He holds BSEE, MSEE, and EE degrees from the University of Michigan.

Welcome!

2011-08-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by!

You might have heard people say we offer great services (which we appreciate!), but we also have a great story you may not have already heard. It speaks to who we are as a company and what we can do for you, whether you benefit from our work as an end user, seek employment with us, or are contemplating doing business with us -- which we strongly believe you should!

You see, Commonwealth was established in 1988, following the closing of another engineering firm's Jackson, Michigan, office. The founders had worked closely together on domestic and foreign electric transmission and distribution projects for many years out of the Jackson office. Rather than leave Jackson, Commonwealth's founders left and company and took action to incorporate under a name that was -- and remains -- well known and respected in the electric power industry. The group devoted itself to structuring a new employee-owned company with the intent of upholding the previous Commonwealth Associates, Inc.'s reputation for providing high-quality engineering and consulting services. Other talented individuals, many of whom had worked previously with the founders, were brought in to lend their expertise. The new company flourished, and Commonwealth opened another office in the state of Washington in 1992 to serve clients in the western United States. Another principal office was opened near Atlanta, Georgia, in 2008.

Today, Commonwealth's staff of approximately 200 professional and technical employees represents one of the most skilled, experienced technical resources available to analyze, plan, design, and construct electric power delivery projects. In addition to licensed engineers and engineering specialists, we have experts in environmental sciences, licensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), surveying, right-of-way acquisition, and construction management, many of whom have more than 20 years of experience in their fields. Many of our professional engineers are active members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Edison Electrical Institute, and National Society of Professional Engineers, which allows interaction with our peers and gives us access to problem-solving resources directed to the T&D industry.

Commonwealth's methods and tools have evolved over the years to incorporate emerging technologies and meet new challenges, but our devotion to engineering excellence has remained the same.

As we like to say, "At Commonwealth, you can Connect with Confidence"!

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Learn more about us at: www.cai-engr.com.

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/caiengr_dot_com (We tweet job openings!)

To serve clients throughout the United States efficiently, Commonwealth has offices in the following locations:

Jackson, MI
Mount Vernon, WA
Kennesaw, GA
Roanoke, VA
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH