Stimulus Funds Report Confirms Need For Multi-Year Bill To Advance Major Projects Most state departments of transportation are using the majority of their stimulus funds for simple repaving and other basic maintenance needs, reports the Government Accountability Office (GAO). According to the GAO, $16.8 billion—or 49 percent—of stimulus highway funds, has been directed to pavement reconstruction and another $2.8 billion—or 17 percent—has been committed for pavement widening. Only $1.1 billion—about 6 percent—is going to new road construction and only 3 percent for new bridge construction. ACEC President Dave Raymond said the report confirms the need for a multi-year authorization bill with funding guarantees for states. “Without the certainty of a six-year bill in place, states will be mired in the underinvestment of the status quo and unable to pursue the complex projects that are going to put our members to work,” Raymond explained. The current highway and transit program expires on September 30. The House Transportation Committee is moving forward with a $450 billion six-year bill. The Obama Administration and Senate leaders have pushed for an 18-month extension of current law. ACEC encourages members to continue to press their Congressional delegation on the need for a multi-year surface transportation bill with adequate and stable financing to address the current infrastructure funding gap. Click here to access a sample letter to send to your Congressman and Senators.

ACEC Energy and Environmental Committee Explores Renewable Energy Members of the ACEC Environment and Energy Committee toured Merrick & Company's "beer to ethanol" plant located at the Coors Brewery in Golden. Members of ACEC’s Environment and Energy Committee met recently in Golden, Colorado to discuss renewable energy opportunities and western environmental issues with several federal, local, and private sector leaders. The meeting included two panels featuring officials from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the western U.S.-based utility company Excel, and Solix Biofuels, which reviewed the role of renewable energy and technology projects in saving energy and reducing emissions. Ann Livingston, sustainability coordinator from the city of Boulder outlined her county’s “Climate Smart” program that sells bonds to fund loans to residential and business property owners who want to make energy efficient upgrades. Katie Fendel from Leonard Rice Engineers updated the status of Army Corps of Engineers wetlands permit applications. A panel featuring ACEC Member Firm officials outlined emerging markets for energy and environmental consulting and engineering services, including opportunities to access federal programs, own technology patents and operate facilities. Several committee members also toured the Colorado-based Merrick & Company’s “beer to ethanol” plant located at the Coors Brewery in Golden. “Once again the committee has presented an excellent educational program for Member Firms,” said Committee Chairman Mike Cline, of Hannum, Wagle & Cline. “In addition to learning about key federal advocacy issues, these meetings help us understand new technologies and practices that give us an edge when planning strategies for building our businesses.” For more information on this meeting, or to join the Environment and Energy Committee, contact Diane Shea, director of environmental & energy program advocacy at 202-347-7474 or dshea@acec.org.

Expert Witness Course Teaches Courtroom Skills, Basics of Legal Service Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness October 29-30, Dearborn, MI Adding new services such as expert witness capabilities to your firm’s portfolio is a shrewd business strategy, particularly as an extension of existing skills and expertise. However well-qualified your key staff may be, only the court-savvy engineer should take on potentially lucrative assignments as an expert witness in legal proceedings. Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness, ACEC’s unique 1-1/2 day course to qualify engineers, architects and surveyors for recognition as expert witnesses, will be presented Oct. 29-30 in Dearborn, MI. Participants earn a certificate of course completion equipping them for legal service. For details and course agenda, click here. For an in-depth look at engineers in the expert witness role, read Holding Court in the current issue of ACEC’s Engineering Inc. magazine. In completing this course, attendees take an important first step towards qualifying for the professional designation of Engineer Expert Witness (EXW). For information on the EXW designation program, e-mail ebajer@acec.org.

Course Details BIM Technology, Risks, Competitive Advantage Building Information Modeling (BIM): The Promise and the Reality for A/E/C Firms October 29-30, Seattle, WA As headlines point to the growing importance of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process to private and public sector clients (See Wisconsin First State to Require BIM on Public Projects in Aug. 6 Last Word and the Texas Facilities Commission website), ACEC presents a first-hand examination of the challenging interdisciplinary process. Set for Oct. 29-30 in Seattle, WA, this fast-paced 1½-day course is an informative and timely look into the many components of the BIM project delivery system by faculty practitioners and early-adopters. Highlights of the agenda include segments on reasons for change, exploring the technology and interoperability, implementation strategies and IT case study, risk management and insurance updates for “BIM-ready” firms, plus the latest views of BIM from the M/E/P perspective. The course is ideal for firm principals planning, considering or launching BIM. For details, the full course brochure, and to register at the lowest advance price, click here.

Business of Design Consulting Updates Survival Skills for Changing Marketplace The Business of Design Consulting: Managing for Success in a Climate of Change October 21-24, St. Louis, MO ACEC’s Business of Design Consulting: Managing for Success in a Climate of Change is a unique and comprehensive update of the elements and functions of the successful A/E business... in the context of a challenging business environment. Content covers the eight key areas of business management, finance, marketing, risk management, contracts, leadership, human resources, and information technology—plus real-world technical examples presented by leading practitioners in the A/E workplace. Created for owners, principals, executives, and managers of A/E firms, this state-of-the-art look at the key components of your operation is a cost-effective investment for succeeding in a more competitive than ever environment. For details and to register at the early bird price, click here.

Limited Space Available for September Senior Executives Institute Class 15 ACEC’s prestigious Senior Executives Institute (SEI) still has a few slots remaining for Class 15, which begins in September. Since its inception, SEI has drawn engineers and architects from firms of all sizes, locations and practice specialties because of its highly interactive, energetic, exploratory and challenging learning structure. Through five separate four- or five-day sessions over 18 months, participants acquire new tools to prosper in the changed—and challenging—A/E/C business environment. The program includes lectures from prominent policy makers, presentations and discussions with industry leaders, group discussions and case study work, and extensive reading on cutting-edge leadership and management topics. Executives with at least five years experience managing all aspects of professional design programs or businesses are invited to register now for this important leadership building opportunity. For more information, click here or contact Deirdre McKenna at 202-682-4328 or dmckenna@acec.org.

Networking, Problem-Solving Highlight Sept. Specialty Forum Meetings Information Technology Forum September 28, Chicago, IL ACEC’s popular Forum for IT professions convenes in Chicago, Sept. 28, to discuss emerging technology trends, share best-practices and address problem-solving and communications in our increasingly technology-driven industry. For details on agenda topics and to register at advance best-price, click here. Finance Forum September 14-15, Chicago, IL A/E industry finance professionals meet in Chicago Sept. 14-15 for peer networking and best-practices exchange. Topics expected to top the discussion list include the state of the economy, the stimulus package, cash flow, ESOPs and more. For details and to register, click here.

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The American Council of Engineering Companies 1015 15th St., NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-2605 Phone: 202-347-7474 - Fax: 202-898-0068 www.acec.org - E-mail:acec@acec.org Alan D. Crockett, Director, PR • Gerry Donohue, Designer