The other day I attended a breakfast seminar and had the pleasure to listen to Jim Gordon, the CEO of Cape Wind, speak about his recently approved project which involves constructing 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound.
Not surprisingly, his proposed wind farm was strongly opposed by special interest groups who maintained that it would damage the fragile ocean environment, among other things. The regulatory review process took nine years to complete and cost Cape Wind millions of dollars. The Environmental Impact Report alone was 60,000 pages long!
Contrast that odyssey with the Interior Department Mineral Management Service’s review of British Petroleum’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig which exploded and sank 40 miles off the Louisiana coast on April 20 and is currently spewing thousands of barrels of oil each day into the Gulf of Mexico. BP was granted a “categorical exclusion” from the National Environmental Policy Act and was required to file an Environmental Impact Assessment that was only 17 pages long. Approval was granted in a matter of months, not years.
It should be evident to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that oil and water don’t mix. However, wind and water do.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Common Sense Politics
Okay, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but believe it or not there is a hearing today on Capitol Hill on a subject both parties can support.
A special House Financial Services Committee is hearing testimony today from design and construction professionals, among others, concerning the credit crisis which has resulted in the protracted delay of numerous construction projects and in the unprecedented employment decline of architects, engineers, and construction workers. In spite of the fact that our industry accounts for more than 11% of the country’s GDP, more than 25% of those working in our industry are currently unemployed.
The AIA recommends adoption of two bills that are targeted at reducing and resolving credit risk: The Capital Access for Main Street Act of 2010 {H.R. 5249}, and The Covered Bond Act of 2010 {H.R. 4884}. I sent letters today to Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, as well as to my Representative, Stephen Lynch, urging their support of both legislative initiatives.
Thomas Paine would approve.
A special House Financial Services Committee is hearing testimony today from design and construction professionals, among others, concerning the credit crisis which has resulted in the protracted delay of numerous construction projects and in the unprecedented employment decline of architects, engineers, and construction workers. In spite of the fact that our industry accounts for more than 11% of the country’s GDP, more than 25% of those working in our industry are currently unemployed.
The AIA recommends adoption of two bills that are targeted at reducing and resolving credit risk: The Capital Access for Main Street Act of 2010 {H.R. 5249}, and The Covered Bond Act of 2010 {H.R. 4884}. I sent letters today to Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, as well as to my Representative, Stephen Lynch, urging their support of both legislative initiatives.
Thomas Paine would approve.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Architect 50
Architect magazine just published its list of the top 50 architectural firms in the country, and TRO Jung|Brannen is ranked #46. Last year we were ranked #49.
On May 27, 2009 I posted a blog and commented favorably about Architect magazine’s inaugural list and their unusual approach to ranking the overall quality of firms by a balanced evaluation of three metrics: profitability, sustainable practices, and design awards. On the surface, I still like the concept; but there are flaws.
First, the profit evaluation is biased to favor firms that outsource a large percentage of their gross fees. Net revenue per employee, not gross revenue, is the more meaningful profitability figure. Second, the design metric considers only awards for the current year rather than a more balanced perspective of design recognition over a longer period of time, say three years. Finally, the results from 2010 are quite inconsistent with those of 2009, despite the magazine’s insistence that the differences are “not dramatic.” For example, William Rawn – ranked #1 in 2009 – is ranked #50 in 2010; and, Rafael Vignoly – ranked #4 in 2009 – didn’t even make the top 100 this year! Such wild swings are hard to rationalize and may make the rankings appear capricious to some.
That having been said, I am delighted that TRO Jung|Brannen is considered by Architect magazine to be among the best firms in the country. On that point, I certainly agree.
On May 27, 2009 I posted a blog and commented favorably about Architect magazine’s inaugural list and their unusual approach to ranking the overall quality of firms by a balanced evaluation of three metrics: profitability, sustainable practices, and design awards. On the surface, I still like the concept; but there are flaws.
First, the profit evaluation is biased to favor firms that outsource a large percentage of their gross fees. Net revenue per employee, not gross revenue, is the more meaningful profitability figure. Second, the design metric considers only awards for the current year rather than a more balanced perspective of design recognition over a longer period of time, say three years. Finally, the results from 2010 are quite inconsistent with those of 2009, despite the magazine’s insistence that the differences are “not dramatic.” For example, William Rawn – ranked #1 in 2009 – is ranked #50 in 2010; and, Rafael Vignoly – ranked #4 in 2009 – didn’t even make the top 100 this year! Such wild swings are hard to rationalize and may make the rankings appear capricious to some.
That having been said, I am delighted that TRO Jung|Brannen is considered by Architect magazine to be among the best firms in the country. On that point, I certainly agree.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Inspiring People
I spoke with the staff of the Boston Business Journal today and it is with great pride that I share this news: TRO Jung|Brannen is among this year’s winners of the “Best Places to Work in Greater Boston”. We are one of twenty firms that were selected in their mid-sized company category and the only architectural firm among all the winners in all categories! The top firms in each category will be announced on June 11.
Nearly 500 firms in Greater Boston were nominated for consideration, and the BBJ conducted surveys of employees to evaluate each company based on various metrics such as trust, communication, and work/life balance. More than 90% of our employees took the time to respond to the BBJ’s evaluation survey and it is their enthusiasm for our firm that made the difference.
I feel privileged to work with such extraordinary people.
Nearly 500 firms in Greater Boston were nominated for consideration, and the BBJ conducted surveys of employees to evaluate each company based on various metrics such as trust, communication, and work/life balance. More than 90% of our employees took the time to respond to the BBJ’s evaluation survey and it is their enthusiasm for our firm that made the difference.
I feel privileged to work with such extraordinary people.
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