Energy: National Public Radio reports that China is building two new coal-fired electric plants each week. Meanwhile, air pollution in China has become a very serious problem. New York Times reports that 300,000 Chinese die each year from poor air qualityŠand13 miners die each day in China, on average.

Serious Water Shortage: The recent fires in California are only one symptom of a changing environment in the western US. Water levels in rivers and reservoirs have dropped to record lows. Nearly a half-million new residents have moved to Las Vegas since 2000, and water is running out. Lake Mead, providing much of the region's water, has dropped an incredible 110 vertical feet in seven years.

Water Solutions?: In California, $9 billion is likely to be spent on new dams, reservoirs and water pipelines. Many expect major political battles over water rightsŠIn Washington, House overrode Bush veto of program to fund billions in new water projectsŠŠ ŠChina is also building huge water projects involving reservoirs and pipelines. China has only 20% of the water that the US has.

No Bottles: Cities around the country are turning against bottled water. In San Francisco, the mayor has cancelled all bottled water contracts, which had been costing the city $500,000 per year. Boston, Salt Lake City and other communities expected to follow suit. New York Times ran an editorial "In Praise of Tap Water," which called for continued investment in public water systems.

Permits: Getting building and plumbing permits can still be a pain. ENR (Engineering News Record) reports that there is again a nationwide effort to get building officials to set up on-line permitting. Our association worked with a start-up company a few years ago to promote on-line permitting, but the effort eventually failed, because the company still had to send a courier to a building department to physically get the permit.

Slow: Let's face it: building departments are notoriously slow to change the way they do business. In Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon, you can obtain a plumbing or electrical permit online. In NYC, electrical permits can be obtained online. In Boston, you can apply for a plumbing permit online, but you need to go to Inspectional Services on Mass Ave to sign and pay.

Decision of The Board: Over the summer, the State Plumbing Board issued the following as part of its definition work NOT covered by the Plumbing Code:

Pipes receiving discharge from exterior downspouts or gutters not entering the building or structure are not included within the definition of plumbing, and may be installed by unlicensed personnel...perimeter, sub-soil or french drains that are installed within or outside the building or structure but do not discharge, communicate or convey discharge to the storm or sanitary drainage systems may be installed by unlicensed personnel.

Home Prices: The inflation of home prices this past decade has meant that Americans are spending much more of their income on housing. In 1970, median home price was 3 times a household's annual income. These days, people are spending 4.5 times their annual income on a home.

Housing: The Wall Street Journal reports that there are now more homes on the market than at any time since 1988. Large numbers of foreclosuresŠhome prices predicted to not rise until 2009 or 2010Š.another consequence of the sub-prime mortgage mess

Big Losses: After years of huge gains, some investment hedge funds have been biting the dust ­ also as a result of sub-prime mortgage problem. The recent failure of one Boston-based hedge fund cost Harvard University a cool $350 million. Mass. pension fund lost $30 million. Boston Foundation lost $20 million.

Bright Spots: Boston Business Journal reports that there has been some slow-down in the market for commercial property in Boston. Even so, Boston is reportedly one of the hottest markets in the nation for commercial properties. After decades of delays, major projects are now moving ahead on the South Boston waterfront. Other huge projects will be getting underway. Examples include a new $500 million building at Mass General Hospital.

Big Projects: Speaking of large projects, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is expecting applications for a many as 29 new nuke plants over the next 15 months. Sites will include New York state, and most of states to the south all the way to Texas. No new sites likely in New England. Nuclear waste disposal still a huge problem.

Steel: For the first time in decades, new steel plants are opening in US. Growing worldwide demand has eliminated glut of steel that existed a decade ago, when some US plants were literally dismantled, and shipped to China.

Limits: The Boston Globe reports that communities such as Wellesley may limit the size of new houses. Wellesley residents are tired of huge McMansions on tiny lotsŠAverage US home is 2,500 square feet, while new homes have been averaging 4,400.

National Effort: Bill Hite, newly-elected head of the United Association (the union representing plumbers and all piping trades around the country), is getting serious in his effort to make sure that all union workers are well-trained, presentable professionals. One new program involves a national certification program for foremen. Effort is part of UA's new Standard of Excellence, which is putting emphasis on image and job managementŠ Hite is earning strong backing from contractors around the country for his program which involves "changing old ideas and metrics of a healthy union."

Apprentices: In New York City, all electricians' union IBEW apprentices are required to obtain Associates degrees. IBEW has continued to be a leader in progressive union thinkingŠ.first national union requiring locals to set up drug testing programs.

IBEW Power: The electricians union recently won a major victory when its candidate was elected president of the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Dept. Mark Ayers was supported by UA President Bill Hite. Ayers won despite wide support for a couple of other candidates, including one from the Ironworkers. Challenge now is how to work with three national unions that left the AFL-CIO. Carpenters, laborers and operating engineers have formed own independent group, the National Construction Alliance. They say AFL group has not put enough emphasis on organizing.

ART: The Boston Business Journal ran a front-page story on the suit and counter-suit at the new Institute of Contemporary Art. Apparently there has been floor and wall cracking, and the ICA has sued Macomber, the GC who went out of business during the project. Macomber, meanwhile is making claims for change orders and extra work. Those in the construction business are familiar with these types of situations.

Foreign Investment: Commercial property in the US is considered a good investment by foreigners, who are benefiting from a falling dollar. Foreign investment in commercial real estate is up 82% this year. 10% of US commercial property is now owned by foreign buyers, including Russians, Italians, Australians, Arabs and even Afghans. (Kiplinger Letter)