Teaming up to reduce emissions

We're excited to be part of a collaborative groundbreaking project to provide information which ultimately empowers energy consumers in their daily decision-making about environmental stewardship.  Get the HERO (Home Emissions Read-Out) app HERE.

As Commonwealth's Steve Miller recently put it,“If we are successful, one outcome might be a service which (people) can employ with their appliances. To choose the time of day or place where using their appliance will cause more or less emissions.”

Click HERE to read the full MLive article.

-----

Getting the green light

Susquehanna-Roseland line

Just this week, a project in which we are involved was in the news as having received court approval to proceed: http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_court_OKs_transmission_line_upgrades_in_the_Highlands.html?c=y&page=1.  

This project involves designing a new 45-mile double-circuit 230 kV/500 kV steel pole transmission line to replace an existing 230 kV transmission line on a narrow 150-foot-wide right-of-way.   A portion of the line has to remain energized during construction to keep a substation fed from two sources.   The remaining line will be constructed in a way that will allow the re-energization of the line in a 14-hour turn-around time frame.

 

Commonwealth has provided an electrical effects analysis; assistance with permitting; and design that entails traversing the Delaware Water Gap area, crossing existing transmission lines, and interconnecting to a new 500 kV switching station.  Commonwealth also was involved with the alternative route analysis and the preferred route evaluation.   A feasibility report and cost estimates were prepared initially for the preferred route, and then the design began.   Commonwealth also assisted in the permitting documentation phase.

 

The final deliverables will be a construction package for the entire line and support by Commonwealth during construction.   The structures are double-circuit tubular steel poles, sometimes mini-legged design, and double-circuit lattice towers.   The 500 kV circuit consists of four-bundle 1590 kcmil “Falcon” ACSR. The heights of the structure were required to be less than 200 feet.  This project began in 2008 and is ongoing.

 

We are pleased to be a part of the work taking place to help the client meet reliability standards while being good environmental stewards.

-----
 

Summer May Be Over, But Fall's Heating Up

Hope that you've had a fantastic final summer hurrah, gotten in your golfing/fishing/gardening/traveling/what-have-you, and that you're ready for a busy fall full of projects that need to happen before year-end and school activities that ensure no week is ever boring.

Commonwealth wrapped up a very busy summer and welcomed fall with numerous college recruitment fairs, dynamic industry conferences, and our successful, semi-annual Rockin' Roadside Clean-up - Fall Edition!  (Pictures below.)

October is looking pretty exciting, too...

On the 3rd, we'll be holding an Alumni Day and wearing our school colors to show our spirit.  On the 10th, we'll be hosting Commonwealth's own "Oktoberfest" fall brat cookout and Potato Salad Contest, where the winner will receive "The Golden Potato" award and a small prize.  On October 17th, employees will have the opportunity of competing in lunchtime Minute-to-Win-It-style games.  During the week of the 22nd through the 26th, teams will be decorating their respective hallways and office spaces and enjoying the Pumpking Carving/Painting Contest which will take place on the 24th, while we eat pie and cast our votes.  Finally, we'll celebrate Halloween with Marketing & Business Development's annual Halloween Party where we'll announce the decorating contest winners. 

Stay tuned to see funny pictures, hear true stories, and learn more about Commonwealth and why we think it's such a great place to work.

And now for some pictures of this weekend's Rockin' good time...

J-Rod from K-105.3 FM, Jackson's Hit Music Station

Volunteers at the registration table

The safety talk

 

Volunteers worked up an appetite for lunch by Country Cafe

It was great to have students with us from area schools.

These teens are members of the National Technical Honor Society.

Three lucky individuals qualified to be entered to win K-105's hot tub giveaway!