- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
By Stephanie Corken, Jan 5, 2026
This issue is packed with timely reminders and practical updates for NECA contractors, from January EPR reporting and updated 2026 Raw Labor Cost Sheets to upcoming education, safety recognition, and market signals shaping the year ahead. A few minutes now can prevent headaches later, whether it is payroll reporting, training opportunities, or staying informed on safety, materials, and major regional projects.
As always, our goal is simple: keep you informed, compliant, and positioned to compete!
January EPR Reports: Use the 2026 Raw Labor Cost Sheets
February 1 marks the opening of EPR reports for January hours. As you prepare to submit, there’s one critical reminder we want every contractor to catch early:
All January-December 2026 hours must be reported using the new 2026 Raw Labor Cost Sheets (RLCS).
Using the correct sheets helps ensure accurate fringe reporting, clean audits, and fewer follow-up corrections down the road.
What to do now
✔ Confirm you’re using the 2026 RLCS for January hours
✔ Update any internal payroll or reporting templates
✔ Share this reminder with your payroll and office teams
Taking a few minutes now can save hours later.
👉 All 2026 RLCS can be found on our website HERE, or on the Western Region NECA website HERE. Contact the office for password help.
If you have questions or want to double-check you’re set up correctly, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you keep reporting clean, compliant, and on track.
📚 Chapter Meetings, Education Courses, & Safety Classes
Don’t forget to complete the 2026 Education Survey emailed to members. Your input matters!
CHAPTER MEETINGS:
🤝280 LMCC | Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 1-2 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center
🤝659 LMCC | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | 12-1 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
🦺659 Safety | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 11 a.m. -12 p.m. | Crater Lake Electrical Training Center
🦺280 Safety | Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 4-5 p.m. | Central Electrical Training Center
IN PERSON EVENTS:
👩💼 Women in NECA | Dallas, TX | February 2-4, 2026
🏛 Executive Management Institute | Washington, D.C. | February 10-14, 2026
🛠 NECA Emerge | Atlanta, GA | April 13-25, 2026
📜 NECA Legislative Conference | Washington, D.C. | May 4-6, 2026
🎓 Advanced Executive Leadership Institute | Durham, NC | May 31-June 5, 2026
WEBINARS & VIRTUAL LEARNING:
🎓 Worker’s Compensation Insurance SAIF | Webinars and Classroom Trainings available year-round:
Safety basics: Implementing safety committees and safety meetings | Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 10-11:30 a.m.
**Safety compliance requirements were outlined in a prior email communication and featured in our January newsletter. This free SAIF training is offered as a supplemental resource to support your ongoing safety efforts.
Legal update 2026 | Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 10-11 a.m.
🤖 Seven Points of Clarity: An AI Blueprint for the Construction Industry | Feb. 5 - Sept. 10 | 3:00 p.m. ET
🛠 Building the Next Generation of Project Managers | February 5 | 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET
📐 Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction | Feb. 9-19 | 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET
🧮 Advanced Estimating Strategies | Feb. 9-12 | 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET
💡 PoE Lighting and Automation for Electrical Contractors – Part 2: Configuration, Testing, and Commissioning | Feb. 24 | 12:00-3:00 p.m. ET
🏆 NECA’s top safety honors
Leading with safety: The NECA Recognition of Safety Achievement Program celebrates contractors excelling in safety and health performance, setting industry standards.
Recognition categories:
Safety Excellence Recognition (2025 Criteria): NECA’s top award for preventing serious injuries and fatalities, requiring DART and Lost Workday rates below national averages, zero fatalities, and robust safety practices.
Zero-Injury Achievement: For companies with a full year free of recordable injuries, illnesses, or fatalities.
NECA Safety Ambassadors Medal: Awarded to the top performer across all categories.
When you register, your company is considered for both Safety Excellence and Zero-Injury recognition, supporting district-level safety accolades.
Why it matters: Despite lower industrywide recordable rates, serious injuries and fatalities persist. This program highlights contractors addressing these gaps through leadership and proactive safety culture.
Apply HERE.
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Learn more about criteria, FAQs, and past winners on NECA’s Recognition of Safety Achievement Program page here.
ELECTRI Publishes Summary of 2025 Accomplishments
ELECTRI International, NECA’s research foundation, wrapped up another strong and productive year in 2025.
ELECTRI has released a summary of its latest research findings, practical recommendations, and contractor-ready tools designed to help electrical contractors work smarter, reduce risk, and improve performance. These resources reflect real-world contractor input and focus on issues that matter: productivity, workforce development, safety, technology, and business operations.
We encourage our members to take advantage of ELECTRI’s work and continue using their team as a trusted resource to help advance your company and the electrical contracting industry as a whole.
Read the full report HERE.
🎓 New Virtual Series: AI Blueprint for Construction
AI is becoming a staple in construction across estimating, project management, admin, and jobsite tools. For contractors, the challenge isn’t if AI is important, but how to integrate it effectively and responsibly.
Why it matters: This new seven-part virtual classroom series by NECA Education and ELECTRI aims to provide clarity for construction leaders, ensuring AI is used to create value without unnecessary risks.
Seven Points of Clarity: Tailored for construction leaders, each session focuses on what’s currently working, what to watch for, and how AI can support without adding complexity.
Dates: February 5 – September 10, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Format: Live Virtual (Zoom)
Key questions: This series addresses vital questions like “Is AI worth our time?”, “Where do we start?”, and “How do we avoid distractions?”
I-5 bridge cost surges to $13.6B - Update from Pac/West Lobby Group
After two decades of planning, the Interstate 5 Bridge project has ballooned to $13.6 billion, raising alarm among Oregon contractors.
Why it matters: The project’s cost has spiraled from initial estimates of $2–3 billion, now reaching worst-case scenarios of $18 billion.
This drastic increase is not just inflation; it indicates a project losing fiscal control.
Driving the news: New cost estimates were revealed only after a public records request in Washington, fueling bipartisan frustration.
Rep. Thuy Tran stated, “They lied to me, to the committee, and by extension to the public.”
By the numbers: While construction costs rose 68%, consultant and staff costs soared by 406%.
Economist Joe Cortright highlights misaligned incentives, where project bloat benefits consultants.
The stakes: A $2 billion federal grant expires this September if construction doesn’t start, risking further financial strain on Oregon and Washington.
The bottom line: Transparency and responsible management are crucial as NECA advocates for sound infrastructure planning.
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A Major Milestone in Central Oregon Construction
A new commercial-scale pharmaceutical facility in Bend points to a shift in Central Oregon’s construction market, one that creates real opportunity for NECA contractors.
Backed by Bain Capital’s $200 million investment, the Serán Bioscience project highlights growing demand for high-reliability electrical systems, advanced controls, and strict safety standards. This is work union contractors, especially those aligned with IBEW Local 659, are built to deliver.
Why it matters
Large life sciences projects often lead to expansions, tenant improvements, and long-term service work. Even if you are not on this job, it signals a market moving toward higher-value, more technical construction.
Bottom line
As life sciences grow in Central Oregon, NECA members are well-positioned to compete, lead, and innovate. This is where strong training, safety, and experience pay off.
Read the full article at Construction Dive HERE.
🔌 What 2026 Construction Trends Mean for NECA Electrical Contractors
As 2026 unfolds, electrical contractors play a pivotal role amid narrowing construction activities.
Why it matters: Electrical projects are thriving, driven by AI and cloud demand. Contractors with skilled labor, strong supervision, and utility coordination are poised to succeed.
Data centers: The surge in data center construction highlights electrical work as the critical path.
These are power-heavy, schedule-driven projects requiring depth in workforce.
Materials & equipment: Modest inflation poses real risks.
Expect long lead times on switchgear and transformers.
Tariff-related price swings and the need for escalation language are growing.
Infrastructure: Current funding is strong, but future planning is key.
New funding slowdowns could increase competition.
Early manpower and backlog planning will offer advantages.
Bottom line: 2026 is about strategic positioning for electrical work leadership. Early planning, margin protection, and workforce investment are keys to success.
Read the full article at Construction Dive HERE.
⚠️ Materials Watch: Copper & Electrical Costs Trending Up
After several years of relative stability, construction material costs, especially copper and electrical components, began rising again in late 2025. Industry analysts are pointing to strong demand from electrification and data center projects, along with long lead times for equipment like transformers and major electrical components.
For electrical contractors, this is an early signal that material volatility may return in 2026, making estimating accuracy, escalation language, and material buyout timing more important than ever. Steel pricing has remained more stable, but electrical inputs are showing upward pressure.
NECA will continue to share updates and resources to help members plan, price, and protect margins as market conditions shift.
Read the full article at Construction Dive HERE.
🔌 NFPA 70E & Condition of Maintenance
NFPA 70E, published by the National Fire Protection Association, is the electrical safety standard OSHA looks to when evaluating jobsite practices.
One key concept is “condition of maintenance.” NFPA 70E requires electrical safety programs to consider how well equipment has been installed, maintained, and cared for before work begins.
Why it matters
Safe operation, and whether energized work is justified, depends on the actual condition of the equipment, including:
Proper installation and maintenance
Secure covers and enclosures
No visible signs of deterioration or failure
If equipment is poorly maintained or its condition is unknown, it may not qualify as safe for normal operation under NFPA 70E.
Bottom line
This reinforces what NECA contractors already practice:inspect before interacting, don’t assume equipment is safe, and document conditions.Understanding condition of maintenance helps protect crews and supports sound safety decisions in the field.
Read the full article at EC&M HERE.
⚡ Electrical Safety Still Demands Our Attention
New research highlights ongoing electrocution hazards in construction, with electricians facing the highest risks.
The big picture: Incidents often stem from system failures like skipped lockout/tagout procedures and gaps in training, rather than individual mistakes.
Management systems play a crucial role in preventing accidents.
What’s emerging: Interest is growing in safety-enhancing tools:
Wearable voltage detection devices
Real-time safety and hazard apps
Predictive analytics for high-risk conditions
VR-based training simulations
Why it matters: For NECA contractors, robust electrical safety ensures:
Protection of workforce
Strong EMR ratings and insurability
Client confidence and prequalification
Long-term profitability
The bottom line: Contractors that lead with disciplined procedures and adopt proven technology are best positioned to reduce risks and safeguard their teams.
Read the full article at EC&M HERE.
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