Newsletter #1

Newsletters

Issue No. 1

Current News -- Spring 2008

Training under the Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Control Act

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) is charged with the task of educating and training people involved in any land disturbing activity. There may be some confusion as to the impact of these rules on electrical and HVAC contractors. We asked the GSWCC how these rules would affect contractors doing electrical or HVAC work on a jobsite. The simplified answer is the contractors would not be required to take a two hour “Subcontractor Awareness Seminar” if they : (1) are doing minor land disturbing activities (trenching in a service lateral for a single house), (2) the site is less than one acre of land disturbance, and (3) the site is more than 200 feet from State Waters.

The program is directed toward permitted projects that involve acreage, such as new subdivisions, commercial strip malls, and similar activities that disturb tracts of land. The Builders, Developers, and Contractors involved in operating land clearing, trenching, and grading types of activities must be certified under the program. The local Environmental Protection Division can answer specific questions you may have if you think that you are in a situation where you may need the training. You may contact the GSWCC at 706-542-1840 or see information available on their web site at www.gaswcc.org.

Development of the Georgia Electrical Code

Before April 1, 2008 the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will establish a committee to consider if Georgia will adopt the 2008 NEC as a whole or with amendments attached in order to provide a Georgia Electrical Code. The new code is expected to go into effect on January 1, 2009.

You have an opportunity NOW to have your voice heard concerning the New Georgia Electrical Code. The DCA will be accepting code amendments for the next six to eight weeks.

We suggest you review the 2008 National Electrical Code and if desired complete a amendment form and return it to DCA within the next few weeks.

The forms can be obtained from the web site below. After clicking on the web site (scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Code Amendment Instructions and Form"). Georgia Construction Codes

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