Industry News
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Webb Pump partners with Dover Pump Solutions
Cranston, R.I. — Webb Pump, a market-focused division of the F.W. Webb Company targeting the Commercial and Industrial Pump marketplace, has partnered with Dover Pump Solutions Group. The Dover Pump Solutions Group (PSG) features the world’s largest manufacturer of air-operated double-diaphragm pumps (Wilden) and the world’s largest provider of sliding vane and eccentric disc pumps (Blackmer).
Other members of the PSG include: Neptune, a premier manufacturer of chemical metering pumps, Almatec, a provider of premium diaphragm pumps for chemical, semiconductor and solar markets and Griswold, a quality centrifugal pump manufacturer.
Effective immediately the following key industrial pump lines are now available through Webb Pump; WILDEN, BLACKMER, MOUVEX, NEPTUNE, ALMATEC and GRISWOLD.
ECR International announces support of revised New York State net metering law
Utica, N.Y. — ECR International announced its support of the legislation, signed into law Aug. 27 by
Governor Paterson, which expands New York State’s current net metering law to include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP). Micro-CHP technologies, like ECR’s freewatt system, combine an ENERGY STAR-rated, high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler with a Honda co-generator to produce heat and electricity for homes.
“The inclusion of micro-CHP as an eligible technology in New York State’s net metering law is extremely significant,” said Michael Paparone, president and CEO of ECR International. “Net metering will allow micro-CHP homeowners to offset the cost of electricity they purchase from a utility by selling any excess power they generate back to the utility. We estimate this will save New York State homeowners approximately $1,000 per year.” The previous law permitted net energy metering for residential solar, farm waste, non-residential solar and residential and/or farm service wind electric generating systems. The amended law also requires electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating equipment and to provide for the interconnection to the electric system of micro-CHP systems in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
“I am very pleased that this new law will encourage economic investment in skilled New York jobs, which includes our local residents who work at ECR International in Utica as well as those New Yorkers who work at the facility in Dunkirk,” Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome) explained. “ECR International has already invested $10 million in upgrading its Utica and Dunkirk facilities retaining and creating 35-40 jobs, with approximately another $5 million in planned further investments that will add 300 more jobs in the next few years as a result of the enactment of this very important measure.”
The amended law takes effect immediately, but allows New York electric utilities three months to prepare for the appropriate changes. ECR International will be working with the utilities to help establish the procedures required to comply with the new law.
“New York State and its residents face significant energy and climate change challenges,” said Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who introduced the bill to the Senate on April 15, 2009. “Energy efficiency continues to be the most cost-effective and the most immediate way to reduce the burden of rising energy and environmental costs, as well as our energy-related carbon footprint.”
Micro-CHP has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of its 2009 Climate Choice technologies. According to the EPA, Climate Choice is a new partnership program that recognizes emerging technologies that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions once they are more widely adopted.
For more information on freewatt, visit www.freewatt.com.
Wilkins becomes first backflow preventer manufacturer certified by NSF to new lead requirements
Ann Arbor, Mich. — As of January 1, 2010, new lead content requirements in California (commonly known as AB 1953) will mandate a maximum weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent for plumbing products. Wilkins, a Zurn Company, is the first backflow preventer manufacturer certified by NSF International to NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects and Annex G low-lead requirements, developed to help protect the public from exposure to lead. Backflow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices that protect against pollution and contamination by preventing unsafe water from flowing back into the public water supply. Manufacturers of backflow preventers for potable water service, faucets, valves, water fittings, and other products that come in contact with drinking water must meet the new lead requirements, as set forth in the California Health and Safety Code, by January 1, 2010. After this date, any pipe, fitting, or fixture intended to convey or dispense water for drinking or cooking must meet a weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent. The lead content requirements of Section 116875 of the California Health and Safety Code (also known as AB1953) were incorporated as an annex into the American National Standard for health effects of drinking water system components NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement. To obtain certification, Wilkins demonstrated compliance with all of NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G requirements.
Eemax engineers efficient hot water solutions from stadiums to homes
Oxfort, Conn. — Today’s economic uncertainty has left a large majority of businesses in hot water but one Connecticut company is deriving success for producing hot water. In fact, Eemax, Inc. is boiling over with success – providing the means to heat water while saving businesses and the average household energy and money.
With an estimated 80 billion gallons of water wasted in the United States each year as people wait for hot water at the faucet, Oxford-based Eemax is providing innovative solutions that realize energy efficiency and water conservation through installation of tankless water heaters.
Involved in the majority of the top design projects across America, from the new, grandiose $1.5 billion Yankee Stadium to Citi Field and the New England Patriot’s Gillette Field, Eemax also has outfitted homes and residential facilities, schools, retail outlets, municipalities and emergency sites like Hurricane Katrina, with products that are part of a relatively new and fast growing category and contributing to a “green” and environmentally beneficial phenomenon.
It is estimated that the energy needed to heat water accounts for 20 percent of an average household’s annual energy use. In fact, an average household that pays $458 per year for a standard tank type of water heater would reduce their costs by approximately $266 annually with a tankless water heater.
With the tank market growing at a 20 percent annual rate (and President Obama’s commitment to establishing higher energy efficiency standards for everyday products), Eemax is optimistic with its growth plans and is looking to emerge from a commercially known brand to one that will resonate with consumers. The popularity of the units has led Eemax to double-digit growth over the last five years, predominantly in the commercial business, and resulted in an expanded employee base of 100 (from 20 over a 20 year span).
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