Christie on a roll

Gov. Christie’s continues to draw attention from across the nation. His “this is who I am” remarks to a Star Ledger editorial page editor when asked if his tone is hindering negotiations only added to his aura.

The video of the news conference went viral on Youtube and was played on radio stations across the nation. The video was pulled from Youtube after the Star Ledger, embarrassed by the spanking of their reporter by the Governor claimed copyright infringement. 

That claim was just that, and the video is back online.

To read more from Bob Ingle click here

To view the video click here and scroll to the bottom of the page

BPU Moves Forward With Prevailing-Wage Regulations

The Board of Public Utilities is moving forward with proposed regulations to comply with legislation enacted last summer requiring prevailing wages on Green Energy Projects Including Energy efficient lighting, HVAC and even Insulation projects receiving financial assistance from the agency.

Unions claim it levels the playing field for Contractors using union labor. The Democrat controled Senate and Assemby backed by union money and controlled by Legislators who themselves are union members railroaded the legislation through in the lame duck session after the November election of Governor Chris Christie.

The reality is that excesive union wages and egregious union benefits are responsible for a union contractors inability to compete. An average Merit Shop Solar Installer earns $25 to $30 per hour, but with prevailing wage it could run as high as $94+ per hour including the mandated $36+ per hour benefit portion of the wage. Find Prevailing Wage Rates in your area Here

The requirement does not apply to projects that rely on developer funding and solar energy renewable certificates. 

Given the opposition from business interests, it remains to be seen whether the rule, promoted by the failed Corzine administration, will survive the 90-day review period for all pending state regulations Gov. Chris Christie promised during the campaign.

OSHA Announces Proposed Revisions To Fall Protection Standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced proposed revisions to the rule governing fall protection standards in the Federal Register on May 24, 2010.

OSHA intends the revised rule to reduce the number of fall-related employee deaths and injuries by updating the rule to include new technology, such as personal fall protection systems.

According to OSHA, the revised rule “reorganizes the rule in a clearer, more logical, manner and provides greater compliance flexibility.” OSHA also drafted the rule in simpler language in order to make it easier to understand.

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To View the Proposed Rule Click Here

DOL Publishes Final Rules On Labor Law Posting For Federal Contractors

Any Contractors that do Federal Work such as Post Offices, Military Facilities etc., or may do any Federal work in the future, should take note of these new rules.

On May 20, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its final regulations describing how contractors and subcontractors working on federal projects will provide notice of employee rights under the federal labor laws.

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Click Here To View Employee Notice Contractors Must Post In Their Workplace 

Bill Limiting Utility Placement of Capacitor Banks Clears Committee

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset) that would prohibit electric public utilities from expanding a switching station by installing one or more 500-kilovolt capacitor banks within 300 feet of the property line of any area zoned for residential use was unanimously passed by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. View Senate Bill S1995

“People who purchase a home to live, raise a family, or retire in should be protected from having a large energy facility expanded right next door,” Bateman stated. “This is a common-sense bill that will protect the value, privacy and quality of life in homes across the state.”

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