The 20 collegiate teams competing in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013 and XPO are gearing up for the start of the Decathlon on October 3. This award-winning program challenged 20 teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive with the ultimate…
California contractors who violate prevailing wage laws do so at their peril. A recent case, Ogundare v. Department of Industrial Relations (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 822, held that a one year debarment from bidding on public projects did not implicate a “fundamental vested right.” Consequently, trial court review of a Division…
In addition to introducing their new celebrity part-owner, Shaquille O’Neal, the Sacramento Kings confirmed their concept for an “indoor-outdoor” facility for the new arena that will be constructed in Sacramento’s current Downtown Plaza. At a recent press conference, majority owner Vivek Ranadive suggested that the design for the $448 million…
Did you know that the U.S. Department of Energy’s website hosts a database for tax credits, rebates, savings and, in some cases, loan programs available across the nation to a variety of persons and entities for numerous categories of energy saving improvements? It also identifies loan programs for certain types…
What if you get sued for property damage that occurred progressively over the course of two years, and you had separate GL policies for each year? Do you get the benefit of coverage for both years, or just the first year? Well, if you’re in New Jersey, you get coverage…
There are numerous contractor-related bills making their way through the California legislature this year. The following bills, although not an all-inclusive list, are worth noting: Assembly Bill 44 – An Act to amend, repeal, and add Public Contract Code § 4104 relating to public contracts – signed into law by…
UPDATE: In its Notice of CSLB Quarterly Meeting, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) indicated that, at its upcoming February 19, 2014 quarterly Board meeting, its Enforcement Committee Report may include an update on its Electrician Certification Enforcement Policy. The meeting is scheduled to commence at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday,…
UPDATE – GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNED ALL 4 BILLS. Click here to read the chartered bills: Assembly Bill 327, Assembly Bill 43, Assembly Bill 217, and Assembly Bill 792 Four California solar-related bills were enrolled on September 11 and 12, and await Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s signature. This legislation would,…
The United Kingdom’s Solar Trade Association (STA) recently published guidance on the 10 best practices for solar development, guidance its members have committed to follow in building and managing solar farms. The guidance sets forth STA’s views on the best practices for siting, land use and community engagement: 1. Focus…
We have previously reported on Maryland’s efforts to modernize its public-private partnership (“P3”) law. Our own Jeff Gans has had considerable involvement with the new legislation, and, at the request of the Lt. Governor’s office, has testified before Maryland Senate and House committees considering the P3 legislation. The new law…