ACEC Opposes Anti-Contractor Amendment In $31.6 Billion House Energy and Water Bill The House completed floor action this week on a $31.6 billion Energy and Water Development appropriations bill for F.Y. 2008, which designates funding levels for key Department of Energy programs, as well as for the Corps of Engineers' civil works program. The measure provides approximately $5.6 billion for the Corps of Engineers, roughly $713 million over the President's request. But the bill also includes language which could severely restrict the ability of the Corps of Engineers to contract with the private sector. ACEC and its industry allies supported an amendment offered by Rep Pete Sessions (R-TX) to strip the anti-contractor language from the bill, but the Sessions amendment was defeated. Efforts will continue to remove the language from the bill in the final conference report. A dispute over member earmarks held up the bill for several days, and the White House has issued a veto threat over the bill's overall cost—which exceeds the President's budget request by $1.12 billion. Selected earmarks are expected to be added in July, after which a final vote will be taken. The bill would provide the Department of Energy with $25.2 billion, which is $1.150 billion above current spending and $480 million above the White House request. The measure includes $6.67 billion for environmental cleanups at DOE nuclear sites, almost $359 million above the White House request and $30 million below the current level. Renewable energy and efficiency programs receive $1.9 billion—more than $600 million above the President's request. The bill would also appropriate $7 billion in loans for advanced energy technologies, with $4 billion allocated to projects that promote biofuels and other clean transportation fuels, $2 billion for carbon sequestration optimized coal power plants, and $1 billion for electric transmission or renewable power generation systems.

ACEC Life/Health Trust Launches New Transition Information Website The ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust (L/HIT) has established a new website to provide information on the upcoming transition from its present health insurance providers, HealthPlan Services and Trustmark, to UnitedHealthcare (UHC) effective August 1, 2007. To access the new website click here. Many answers regarding the transition are also available in the ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust Frequently Asked Questions & Answers, which you can access by clicking here. The Trust will update the FAQs as appropriate. If you would like a response to your specific questions, send an email to rapid_response@uhc.com. According to the Trust, insureds and their brokers will be receiving more details in the next several weeks, including enrollment, benefit, premium, and provider network details on or before June 30, 2007. Additional questions regarding this transition can be directed to Pat Feyen, ACEC Life/Health Insurance Trust President at pat@feyengroup.com or 972-370-9480.

Tenth Annual ACEC Midwest States Conference "Grows In Content And Participation" Pictured at the 2007 Midwest States Annual Conference are from the left: ACEC/Arkansas Executive Director Ann Hamilton, ACEC/Oklahoma President James F. Sullins, ACEC President Dave Raymond, ACEC/Kansas Executive Director Scott Heidner and ACEC/Missouri President Bruce Wylie. More than 175 members and guests attended the 2007 ACEC Midwest States Conference held last week at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Mo. The tenth annual multi-state conference included ACEC/Arkansas, ACEC/ Kansas, ACEC/Missouri and ACEC/Oklahoma, and featured guest speakers, individual Member Organization meetings, targeted education sessions and social activities. Newly added to this year's conference was a fundraising raffle, which raised more than $5,000 for ACEC/PAC. "Combining the resources of the adjoining states to coordinate one conference in Branson, Mo. has proved to be a major success," said ACEC/Missouri President Bruce Wylie. "This is the tenth year for the Midwest States Conference and it grows each year in both content and participation."

ACEC Hosts Senior House Transportation Committee Leader Rep. John Mica ACEC hosted an engineering industry fundraiser this week in Washington for Congressman John Mica (R-FL), the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Following the November elections, Mica was elevated to the senior Republican post on the committee, replacing the previous chairman, Congressman Don Young (R-AK). "John Mica is solid pro-business, and he values the role that infrastructure investment plays in growing our economy," said ACEC Transportation Committee Chairman Charlie Geer of Kimley-Horn in Florida, who participated in the fundraiser. Mica previously served as chairman of the panel's Aviation Subcommittee, playing a lead role in the passage of major FAA funding legislation and the creation of the Transportation Security Administration following the September 11th terrorist attacks. "Together with the committee's chairman, Jim Oberstar, Mica will play a critical role in the next major aviation, highway and water funding bills," added ACEC President Dave Raymond.

Thinking About an OPR at Your Firm? Could Be Your Best-Ever Long Term ROI ACEC's Organizational Peer Review (OPR) has been a durable and effective program for over 20 years, utilized by more than 1,100 firms as an important tool for improving their business and their bottom line. A team of experienced OPR reviewers performs a thorough, confidential business study, resulting in an unbiased evaluation of all aspects of the company. Schedule a fall or early 2008 OPR evaluation now, as time slots and reviewer availabilities are being assigned. For more information e-mail Sarah Kaska, at skaska@acec.org or call 202-682-4320.

Indulge in Great Summer Reading From the ACEC Bookstore Bunts by George F. Will In this New York Times bestseller, Pulitzer Prize-winning author George F. Will returns to baseball with more than 70 finely honed pieces about our national pastime. Included are Will's eulogy for the late Curt Flood ("Dred Scott in Spikes"), Will on Ted Williams and even on his own baseball career: "I was a very late draft choice of the Mittendorf Funeral Home Panthers. Our color was black." Limited signed copies available! Click here to order. The Evolution of Useful Things: How Everyday Artifacts—From Forks to Paper Clips and Zippers—Came to be as They Are, by Henry Petroski The author examines a host of techno-trivia questions—how the fork got its tines, why Scotch tape is called that, how the paper clip evolved, how the Post-it note came to be, how the zipper was named, why aluminum cans have hollow bottoms—and provides answers that both astonish and challenge the imagination. Click here order. To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design by Henry Petroski How did a simple design error cause one of the great disasters of the 1980s? What made the Tacoma Narrows Bridge twist apart in a mild wind in 1940? This engaging book looks at progress and perfection, tracing the fine connection between science and the chaotic realities of life. Click here order. 1776 by David McCullough David McCullough tells the intensely human story of General George Washington and those who marched with him in the year of the Declaration of Independence. 1776 is the story of Americans—farmers, schoolteachers, shoemakers, no-accounts, and mere boys turned soldiers. But it is the American commander-in-chief who had never before led an army in battle, who stands foremost. Click here order.

Join VIP List, Get Advance Notice of Popular Course Encores Several first-time-offered ACEC courses have sold out well in advance, and encore presentations are being scheduled for this fall. For those interested in advance notification of registration, a VIP list has been created for each course. To add your name, e-mail education@acec.org and specify course by title for the following: Building Information Modeling (BIM)—The Promise and The Reality for A/E/C Firms October, Nashville, TN Hear the voices and experiences of industry innovators who are collaboratively transforming the BIM multi-dimensional project planning concept into A/E/C marketplace reality. 50 Legal Concepts That Every Engineer Should Know November 5-6, San Francisco, CA An exploration of today's most critical legal issues in the A/E arena, including key concepts for capitalizing on business opportunities while optimizing risk management. Leveraging the Design-Build Trend How Engineering Firms Can Profit from Integrated Delivery November 5-6, San Francisco, CA Customized course designed by engineers for engineers covering vital integrated delivery topics aimed at maximizing the bottom line potential of design-build project delivery systems.

August Online Seminars Kick-Off Fall Calendar Mastering the Critical Steps of the Business Development Process August 8, 1:30-3 p.m. 1.5 PDHs This insightful seminar by Kevin Hackney, MBDi, examines the business development process and the necessary components for continuing success. Click here for details and to register. Risk Management Considerations for Green Buildings August 15, 1:30-3 p.m. 1.5 PDHs Tim Corbett, A/E SmartRisk, presents this timely online seminar, which offers a clear-eyed look at topics unique to green building design. Click here for details and to register.

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