Agreement Reached On New Energy Bill; ACEC-Endorsed Price Anderson Act Extended Rep. Pete Domenici (R-NM) House and Senate conferees reached final agreement this week on the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6), the comprehensive package of energy provisions designed to stimulate energy production and conservation measures. Both chambers have approved the legislation and President Bush is expected to sign it soon. Conference Co-Chairmen Joe Barton (R-TX) and Pete Domenici (R-NM), called the legislation "the most comprehensive energy bill in the last 30 to 40 years." The bill includes tax breaks and other incentives promoting oil and gas exploration and production, clean coal technologies, electrical transmission capacity development, and renewable fuels. Funding is provided for technological advances in nuclear energy power production, and $2 billion in risk insurance is included to guard against potential regulatory delays when building new-generation nuclear reactors. The bill also includes a 20-year reauthorization of the Price Anderson Act, the federal insurance provision critical to engineering companies engaged in waste cleanup work at Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear sites. In securing the extension of Price Anderson, ACEC also successfully defeated a troublesome "financial accountability" subrogation provision that was included in the House version of the bill. In a letter to the conferees, ACEC President Dave Raymond pointed out that the subrogation provision "would likely cause many of the most responsible and best-in-class companies to abandon this unique and inherently dangerous market."

$38 Billion Water Bill Passes Senate Committee With overwhelming bipartisan support, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee passed the $38 billion Water Infrastructure Financing Act (S.1400). The bill authorizes a total of $20 billion over five years for the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and $15 billion to the Drinking Water SRF, and includes significant grant provisions. In the House, the Clean Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2005 (H.R. 2684) was introduced in late May, increasing authorization levels to a total of $25 billion over 5 years for the Clean Water SRF. In addition, ACEC and its Water Infrastructure Network (WIN) partners are finalizing work on draft legislation to create a water trust fund, to be introduced this fall. Both H.R. 2684 and the WIN bill include QBS provisions for selection of A/E services. ACEC will continue to meet with the Senate EPW committee to include QBS language in S. 1400 when the measure goes to the Senate floor for consideration.

House Passes ACEC-Backed Association Health Plan Legislation The House passed two pieces of legislation this week that will enhance the availability of affordable health insurance and help control health care costs for engineering firms. On Tuesday, the House passed the Small Business Health Fairness Act (H.R. 525). The legislation allows businesses to pool together across state lines through association health plans (AHPs) to purchase health insurance, or self-insure in the same manner as large employers and labor unions. ACEC currently offers an AHP to member firms, and passage of H.R. 525 was one of the key issues the Council's "citizen lobbyists" advocated during the Annual Convention in April. H.R. 525 will make it easier for all ACEC members to access affordable health insurance through the Council's Life/Health Trust, by establishing uniform guidelines throughout the country. On Thursday, the House also cleared H.R. 534, the HEALTH (Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare) Act, legislation that places reasonable limits on health care liability awards. The bill puts limits on some awards against health care providers (such as non-economic and punitive damage awards), while allowing for full recovery of economic damages (such as medical bills and lost wages).

New ACEC Coalition To Address Mechanical, Electrical Engineer Concerns A newly created ACEC coalition—Council of American Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (CAMEE)—will provide a variety of products, activities and services for ACEC member firms who offer mechanical and electrical engineering (M/E) services in the building systems arena. "This organization will give ACEC's mechanical and electrical engineering firms a lot more leverage to become better managed and more profitable, as well as a stronger voice in setting ACEC priorities," said CAMEE Executive Director Edward Bajer. The new coalition will provide business practice products, seminars on business trends, changing practices, and liability management. ACEC member firms that provide mechanical and electrical engineering services, including HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, power, lighting, technology, security, life safety, commissioning, design and operation of building systems, or multi-discipline ACEC members with a mechanical/electrical department, are encouraged to join the new coalition. For more information please contact Ed Bajer, CAMEE Executive Director and ACEC Staff Liaison at ebajer@acec.org.

Make Plans Now To Attend "The Premier Business Conference Of The A/E/C Industry" IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®  ©Disney ACEC's 2005 Fall Conference—the premier business Conference of the A/E/C industry—is right around the corner. Make travel plans now for the September 21-24 Conference in Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida, and take advantage of: 35 cutting-edge education sessions; Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey on "Leadership in the 21st Century"; Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura discussing how to "Buck the System"; A rockin' Local Color Night on Pleasure Island; A behind the scenes look at how Disney creates the "magic." Make this year's Conference a memorable experience and register today. For the lowest fares, click here to book your hotel room and register for the Conference by August 26. For further questions contact meetings@acec.org or call 202-347-7474.

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