Chicago, Illinois - March 18, 2011 - Duratel, a manufacturer of composite utility pole products for utility transmission and distribution, participated in a briefing for Senate staff on Capital Hill earlier this month. The briefing consisted of a presentation on composite products used in the generation, transmission and distribution of power.
Key representatives attended including Senator Lindsey O. Graham (R-SC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Brian Lacoursiere, Sr. VP of Sales & Engineering for Duratel, and who also acts as Chairman of the ACMA (American Composites Manufacturers Association) Utility & Communication Structures Working Group, participated in the Senate staff briefing on behalf of ACMA.
Lacoursiere promoted the message that composites have a prominent role to play in the nation's investment in the transmission and distribution infrastructure and revitalizing the electric grid to make it more durable. In addition, the composites industry creates jobs, employing more than 280,000 Americans with operations in every state. The issues associated with the use of wood, concrete and steel for electric power structures were discussed, along with how these issues can be resolved using composite materials. For example, wood has historically been used in the majority of installations, but is now reaching the end of its useful service life and needs to be replaced. Concrete and steel have been used on a somewhat limited basis in the electric grid. Lightweight, durable composites have been successfully used for over 40 years and thousands of installations throughout the U.S., Canada and internationally.
The many benefits of composite utility and communication structures were presented, including the key facts that they are non-conductive, maintenance free, storm resistant and immune to the natural environment. Composites offer environmental sustainability because they are made with non-leaching material requiring no soil remediation or end-of-life disposal costs. In addition, the lighter weight of composite poles and crossarms enables more products to be transported per load, resulting in fewer delivery trucks and less fuel used for transportation.This briefing was one of a series of events planned by ACMA to inform national policymakers about the benefits of innovative composite products and the employment and economic contributions of the composites industry. As a leading player in the composite utility structures industry, Duratel continues to support the promotion of composite products through active participation in key industry organizations such as ACMA, ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association).
About Duratel:
Duratel is a manufacturer of reinforced, composite utility distribution, transmission and lighting pole products. Duratel's line of environmentally-friendly products emphasize quality, value, reliability, safety and performance. Duratel is made in the USA.
CONTACT:
Ed Grilli
516-442-1005
