Real Cost of Sustainability The Focus Of Fall Conference Town Hall Debate Judith Nitsch, Town Hall Moderator Is the engineering industry truly committed to delivering sustainable infrastructure? Are owners really prepared to pay the increased cost for sustainable facilities? These crucial issues will be the focus of debate during a Town Hall meeting at the upcoming ACEC Fall Conference: The National Conference on the Built Environment, September 18-21 at the elegant Charleston Place Hotel in historic Charleston, S.C. The Conference is co-sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA); and the National Association of State Facilities Administrators (NASFA). The event brings together both owners and practitioners to address markets and issues in transportation, water, buildings, industrial process, business management, and project delivery. Titled: Sustainable Building and Infrastructure: Are Owners Prepared To Pay The Premium?, the Town Hall Meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, September 19. Judith Nitsch, of Judith Nitsch Engineering in Boston, will moderate the debate which features Holly Stallworth of the Environmental Protection Agency; Pat Dady, of Opus Corp., a national developer; and Kim Hosken, of the U.S. Green Building Council. Discussions will address federal, state and local government plans to adopt meaningful sustainable standards, what is driving the push for sustainability, and how apparent cost increases of sustainable design add long-term value to a project. Other Conference highlights include: an address on "How High Can We Go" by Leslie Robertson, who designed some of the world's most famous skyscrapers including the World Trade Center; a political wrap-up by John Kasich, the popular FOX TV host and former Congressman; professional business forums, southern-themed social events, and exciting ACEC/PAC activities. Early bird discounts are available until August 25. Click here to register online and save an additional 5 percent.

Metro Washington Lobbies Congress On Health Care, Infrastructure Funding From left to right: ACEC Government Affairs Vice President Steve Hall, Rep. James Moran (D-VA), ACEC/MW President Philios Angelides, and Bob Henchbarger, Michael Baker, Jr. Inc. A delegation from ACEC/Metro Washington visited House members from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia this week to advocate issues critical to the engineering industry. Passage of Small Business Health Plan legislation was a major focus for ACEC/Metro Washington firm executives who were briefed at ACEC headquarters before heading to Capitol Hill. The Senate is expected to vote this week on S. 1955, legislation—which will make it easier for businesses large and small to access affordable health insurance through their national trade associations. Metro Washington leaders also urged lawmakers to take action on a potential shortfall in the Highway Trust Fund that could imperil future funding allocations to the states. In addition, the group advocated more federal investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, including consideration of a dedicated revenue source to fund water projects. "This kind of grassroots involvement is critical to achieving the industry's advocacy agenda," said Philios Angelides, president of ACEC/Metro Washington. "We had a number of good visits, and I really believe that we made a difference."

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Approves Brownfields Reauthorization The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee cleared legislation this week to extend federal funding for so-called "brownfields" redevelopment. The Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act, authorizes $200 million per year through F.Y. 2012 for a grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The committee also adopted a green buildings amendment offered by Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) that will allow the EPA to use green building considerations when approving brownfields grants. ACEC has actively supported the federal brownfields program since its inception. The program provides critical funding to assist cities and local governments in returning properties damaged by hazardous waste to commercially viable use. The full House may attempt to take up the bill prior to the August recess.

Mark Your Calendars Now for the Fall '06 Business of Design Consulting October 25-28                               Las Vegas, NV Plan now to attend this flagship program for the engineering firm of the 21st century. This intensive four-day workshop offers up-and-coming design firm leaders the chance to explore eight different areas for improved management and leadership skills. Click here for more information and to register. Upcoming Online Seminars July 25: Creative Strategies for Controlling Health Insurance Costs Henry J. Kruse, Envision Healthcare Click here for more information and to register. July 26: From Entrepreneur to Sustainable Company: Where Theory and Practice Meet Lou Ann Frederic, Hall & Foreman, Inc. Click here for more information and to register. August 9: Get in Shape! Today's Fitness Plan for Your Presentations Joanne G. Linowes, Linowes Executive Development International Click here for more information and to register. August 23: Top 10 Business Trends from ACEC's 2006 Industry Survey Paul Haglund, Greeley and Hanson; Jill Holcomb, ACEC Click here for more information and to register. August 30: Design and Delivery: Using Technology for Better Teamwork Jonathan Knowles, Autodesk, Inc. Click here for more information and to register.

Copyright © 2006 by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photographic, or other means without the prior written permission of ACEC.

Click here to review past editions of the Last Word.

Click here to subscribe to the Last Word.