ECA Industry Update
ECA's first in-person membership meeting of the year! Join us today: Maggiano's Chicago @ Noon
Featured speakers include representatives from ComEd's Industrial outreach program and C-Pace, to talk about rebates and incentives to offer your customers on Industrial and renewable energy projects in Chicago.
ELECTRI Value Proposition Survey - Assistance Requested
In January 2021, the ELECTRI Council voted to fund research to help identify ELECTRI’s path going forward.  ELECTRI’s stated mission is to fund, coordinate, and monitor the EC industry’s most critical research. ELECTRI needs to know how they are doing on fulfilling their mission. In every area of our lives, we are in the midst of rapid change. Trillions of dollars will be spent over the coming decades transitioning energy, transportation, building, and industrial systems to a more sustainable, more resilient and more distributed configuration. Electrical contractors must be prepared to meet this demand -- or others will. This is our time and our turn to get it right. With so much on the line, we should be prepared to answer some tough questions. Your strong level of participation in this survey and your responses will ensure ELECTRI’s researchers can learn from as many of our EC member companies as possible.

Please click on the link for ELECTRI’s Value Proposition Survey.
CSC Offering Complimentary Fall Hazard Awareness Training
-GET INVOLVED
-SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
- ATTEND FREE TRAINING (May 7, 2021)
The Construction Safety Council is a proud supporter of the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This annual campaign is intended to address this leading cause of death among construction workers. Join forces with fellow industry professionals by helping to identify the root causes of these oftentimes tragic incidents. Be a part of the solution by taking a brief, anonymous Fall Experience Survey - click here.
 
Register to attend FREE Fall Hazard Awareness (OSHA #7405) training. This one-day course delivers instruction on how to evaluate, control, and prevent fall hazards on jobsites.

A public webinar held by Colette Holt & Associates on February 2, 2021 can be found HERE.

You can download the presentation slides HERE.

If you have any questions about the study or comments that you would like to share, please submit them to the study email at: mwrd-study@mwbelaw.com or call at: (855) 692-3529 or visit the Study website at MWRD.disparity-study.com.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Disparity Study
for Its Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Program -- Small Group Business Owner Interview Sessions
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) invites you to participate in an online small group interview of business owners as part of their Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise program (M/WBE) Disparity Study. These important sessions will provide an opportunity to share your experiences in doing or attempting to do business with MWRD or its prime vendors, its M/WBE program, and any barriers that you encountered based on race and/or gender. Your insights and experiences will help identify potential improvements in MWRD's program and increase collaboration, while promoting economic growth for all segments of the community.
 
The purpose of the Disparity Study is to determine whether M/WBEs have access to full and fair opportunities to compete on MWRD-funded contracts and associated subcontracts. The Disparity Study also seeks to assist MWRD in ensuring that its current program for M/WBEs remains legally defensible and administratively successful. Online Meetings will be held April 13 through April 15, 2021.
      
Please click here to register for an online small group interview. You will be taken to a short survey to allow the MWRD to direct you to the appropriate session.
ELECTRI Council Room Session - April 21, 2021
"What is Digital Electricity? How Does it Impact EC?"
If you are not a current ELECTRI member and you would like to learn more about what ELECTRI has to offer, the Council Room sessions will showcase what ELECTRI is all about—sharing ideas and resources to keep electrical construction strong, productive, and profitable.
 
The third ELECTRI Council Room Session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm (Eastern Time). The presentation and discussion will focus on "What is Digital Electricity" How Does it Impact EC?" featuring Stephen Eaves, Founder and CEO of VoltServer, Inc.

To receive the meeting link, please contact jessica.cardenas@necanet.org.
In Case you Missed It...
On March 31st ECA Chicago hosted a webinar to inform members of President Biden's New Energy Plan and the Certification you may need in order to work on EV Charging Infrastructure Projects. If you missed the webinar and would like a recording of the program and associated documents, please contact Carrie Spaeth at ECA today! The push to get ECA members EVITP Certified, and listed on the Federally Identified Website of Approved Contractors is backed by NECA CEO David Long and IBEW International President, Lonnie Stephenson. Read their letter to the Industry here.
NECA Capitol Hill Update: WHAT NEW COVID-19 BILL MEANS FOR NECA CONTRACTORS
On Wednesday, the House passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1319 – the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This bill was passed through the budget reconciliation process and is the fifth COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress since the start of the pandemic, last year. The bill authorizes $1.9 trillion on PRO Act. As a reminder, NECA remains neutral on the PRO Act. Read about the full provisions here and an update from NECA's Capitol Hill team.
“Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course"
May 6th & 7th, 2021
Sponsored by
Powering Chicago - the Labor Management Cooperation Committee of Chicago (LMCC of Chicago) is a proud sponsor of an Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (IBEW REF) coordinated program called, “Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course” being presented by Pro Union Consulting.  

POWERING CHICAGO is paying for One representative from each Local 134 Signatory Contractor to attend ($500 value). 
Thursday, May 6, 2021 - Friday, May 7, 2021 sessions are to include the following:
 
·        Give the electrical contractor the confidence to begin designing and estimating photovoltaic and energy storage jobs.
·        Contractors will spend the two days discussing a range of topics that will answer many of the questions an electrical contractor needs to consider to be competitive, and profitable. 
NECA Safety Professionals Conference - Now, VIRTUAL!
-May 25 - 26, 2021
The NECA NOW Conference registration is now open! Please click on the link below for more information / registration.

STIPEND AVAILABLE
As a reminder, The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference on May 25 - 26, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR ECA MEMBERS:
Stay up to date on the latest changes for our Industry including news releases, legislation and Government mandates, workplace safety and preparation guidelines, OSHA alerts, and more that affect electrical contractors in Chicago and Cook County.
 
SAVE THE DATES


April 15, 2021
Maggiano's Banquets - Chicago

April 22, 2021
Virtual Event

May 5, 2021
Virtual Event

Solar & Energy Storage Design & Estimating Course
May 6 - 7, 2021
Location: INTECH, Alsip

May 10 - 12, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

May 19, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

May 27, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel

June 9 - 10, 2021
The American Club - Kohler, WI