Yes, we are ringing in a New Year at the Electric League, and we have good news for our members and readers!
The Executive Board took some positive action at our last meeting that we think will help our organization and all who participate in advancing our professional, complex, and every-growing industry.
First of all, we plan to enhance our website. This will expand the opportunities to learn more about the League, our sponsors, our corporate members, and to gain information that we think will make the website more user-friendly.
Second, we have recently received a large sponsorship from BGE and other interested parties. This sponsorship should help us deepen our efforts to promote and educate journey persons so they will become part of a skilled workforce as the next decade unfolds.
Third, we have decided that those sponsors and corporate members who donate those type of monies to ensure the League remains financially stable should be recognized in a special category. From our website, we will provide a link to sponsor and corporation websites for the purpose of connecting them to each other and the industry. It will be easy to see the contributions that they make to our industry.
Fourth, we have also made arrangements to make it possible for active dues-paying corporate members to be allowed to receive a ten percent (10%) discount for up to ten (10) of their employees when they enroll in special courses given by: Harford County’s Apprenticeship Program, the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (Laurel, MD), M.S. Electrical Training by Marty Schumacher, Lee Jolley’s special seminars, and our own Lunch and Learn classes.
By clicking on the drop-down menu, you can go back and review past successful “Lunch and Learn” courses; such programs as: Solar and the Micro Grid; Past and Future Electric Vehicles; Projected 2020 NEC changes that occur for AFCI, Ground-fault (GFCI) and new disconnecting means that will be required on single-family dwellings (intended to provide protection for first responders).
In the future, we are also planning to have Lunch and learn programs on innovative concepts such as stored energy systems (batteries without electrodes) as well as a new power system called POE (Power Over the Ethernet).
Additionally, we plan to feature a new section called “Codes, Standards, and Regulations.” For example, at their November 2019 meeting, the MD Uniform Examination Committee (the group that prepares the electrical examination for the State License) gave notice to all licensing boards that the 2017 NEC questions still will be used for examinations until January 1, 2021. Starting January 1, 2021, all examination questions will be based on the 2020 NEC. This will allow all qualified applicants one year to become familiar with the new 2020 code and will make certain that all licensees after January 1, 2021 will have been examined on the latest, up-to-date electrical code for the State of Maryland. By checking this area on our website periodically, we can encourage people to stay informed.
Note – Keep an eye out during the upcoming legislative session for any unforeseen electrical law changes. We have been informed by all legislative agencies that they will not be proposing any new changes to the electrical law for this upcoming session. However, as everyone is aware, anyone can propose a legislative bill, so we must be alert if it happens.
At some electrical contractors and inspectors meetings, people have been inquiring as to why we do not offer code change classes and educational seminars as we have done in the past. We want everyone to realize that we do not want to be in competition with professional presenters and their scheduled code change seminars. We are content to provide up-to-date legislative news, promote a code of ethics, and try as best we can to educate and supply future skilled workers for our industry.
Check out future News and Notes for more information of interest.
Gil Thompson
Vice President, Electric League of Maryland