The Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CEBCS) provides valuable information about the U.S. commercial building stock and its energy consumption. The 2007 CEBCS was canceled due to a bad data collection method (proving cheaper is not always better), and the 2011 CEBCS was suspended due to funding cuts at the Department of Energy. You may [...]
Construction + Economy
Architecture Billings Climbs into Positive Territory for First Time in Four Months
Continuing the positive momentum of a nearly three point bump in October, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reached its first positive mark since August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported [...]
Current Conditions Electrical Industry Business Index Positive for Third Consecutive Month
Results from NEMA’s latest business conditions survey show the Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions exceeded 50 points in December—with more respondents reporting conditions improved relative to the previous month than reporting they declined—for a third consecutive month. The index measured 52 in December, down slightly from 56 in November. The [...]
AIA Report Finds Ongoing Credit Crunch Accounts for 20 Percent of Stalled Projects Nationwide
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released a comprehensive report which concludes that the major obstacle holding back job creation in the United States is the persistent lack of construction financing, despite record low interest rates. “This report should lay to rest any doubt about what is a key source for holding back job [...]
Architecture Billings Index Moves Upward
After a sharp dip in September, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed nearly three points in October. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the October ABI score was 49.4, following [...]
Construction + Economy, Legislation + Regulation
Obama Signs Repeal of 3 Percent Withholding Mandate
President Obama has signed a bill repealing the 3% withholding mandate. H.R. 674, championed by Rep. Wally Herger, R-CA, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR and supported by the American Institute of Architects, is aimed at killing a looming federal requirement that would have forced federal, state, and many local agencies to withhold 3% of nearly [...]
North American Business Conditions Improve for Second Consecutive Month in November
Results from NEMA’s latest business conditions survey showed the economic environment facing the North American electroindustry improved for a second straight month in November. Though the Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped to 56 from 57.4 in the previous month, it nonetheless cleared the 50 mark above which more panelists [...]
Another Drop for Architecture Billings Index in September 2011
Following the first positive score in four months, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reversed direction again in September. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the September ABI score was [...]
North American Business Conditions Improve in October with Further Gains Seen Over Next Six Months
NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) indicated that conditions facing the North American electroindustry improved on balance in October, climbing to 57.4 from 50 in September. The latest month was the first since May in which the index exceeded the 50-point “growth threshold.” Meanwhile, October’s EBCI for future North American conditions moved higher for a [...]
Architecture Billings Index Turns Positive after Four Straight Monthly Declines
On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August [...]
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