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WORLD FENCE NEWS • APRIL 2012 • 71 If you do some simple math you can calculate how much you will save. You can easily enjoy a 10% reduction in fuel consumption and toxic emis- sions. Look at your fuel bill for the month. Could you use that 10% for other projects, or would you just use it to cut your bottom line operating ex- penses? Now, get back to work. There is a new economy emerging and we will all be a part of it. And while govern- ments and politicians wrestle with en- vironmental issues, we can move forward building our businesses, sav- ing money and helping improve the air we breathe. Jack Lee is president and CEO of 4Refuel Inc., The Leader in Fuel Man- agement. If you have any questions or comments about this article, Lee may be reached at 604-513-0386 or by email: AskthefuelExpert@4refuel.com. Dodge Report reveals that new construction levels in January receded by two percent NEW YORK, N.Y. — The value of new construction starts dropped 2% in January to a seasonally adjusted an- nual rate of $402.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a divi- sion of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Both nonresidential building and housing settled back from December, while the nonbuilding construction sector managed to register a modest gain with the help of a rebound for new electric utility starts. On an unadjusted basis, total con- struction starts in January were re- ported at $27 billion, down 14% from the same month a year ago. For the 12 months ending January 2012 versus the 12 months ending Jan- uary 2011, which lessens the volatility present in one-month comparisons, total construction starts were down 3%. The January statistics lowered the Dodge Index to 85 (2000=100), com- pared to December's reading of 87. Over the course of 2011, the Dodge Index moved within the range of 81 to 101, with the average for last year coming in at 90. "For construction starts, the year 2012 got off slowly, with activity re- treating further into the lower half of its recent range," stated Robert A. Murray, vice-president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. "This is consistent with the view that construction is still struggling to achieve upward momentum, even with the recent improvement shown by the U.S. economy. "There were some positive signs for construction during 2011, such as a stronger volume for multifamily hous- ing, a record high for new electric util- ity starts, and even gains for a few commercial structure types such as ho- tels and warehouses. However, these positives were offset by declines for single family housing, public works, and institutional building," he said. "For 2012, both public works and institutional building will continue to be affected by diminished federal funding, as well as by tight state and local budgets. Single family housing may draw some benefit from the re- cent federal-state agreement with MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION STARTS Prepared by McGraw-Hill Construction Research & Analytics MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION STARTS Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, in Millions of Dollars January 2012 Nonresidential building Residential building Nonbuilding construction Total construction $ 139,854 134,465 127,879 $ 402,198 December 2011 $ 140,868 145,368 124,256 $ 410,492 THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000 = 100, Seasonally Adjusted) January 2012........................................................ 85 December 2011.................................................... 87 YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION STARTS Unadjusted Totals, in Millions of Dollars Nonresidential building Residential building Nonbuilding construction Total construction 1 Mo. 2012 $ 9,330 8,747 8,929 $ 27,006 1 Mo. 2011 $ 11,094 7,475 12,725 $ 31,294 Percent Change – 16 + 17 – 30 – 14 Southwestern Wire, Inc. P.O. Box CC • 3505 N. I-35 • Norman, OK 73070 1-800-348 WIRE (9473) Fax: 1-405-447-2830 – 8 + 3 – 2 Percent Change – 1 T Nationwide ech Support 800.767.7322 800.223.6879 7:30AM EST-4:30PM PST ElectronicEntryDistributors.com Electronic Entry Distributors is a wholesale distributor of gate automation & access control Products supplying installing dealers throughout the U.S. for over 30 years. We are committed to providing the best service in the industry to help Dealers properly design systems and continually educate the Dealers we work with. locations in California, Florida, and Texas. All Sizes And Lengths • Certification Available We Also Manufacture Truss Rods contin ued on ne xt pa g e ABOVE & BEYOND GOING THE CALL OF DUTY WE CARRY ALL MAJOR BRANDS & MANUFACTURERS COMPETITIVE PRICING KNOWLEDGEABLE TECH SUPPORT AVAILABLE FAST RELIABLE SERVICE & SHIPPING