AMES, IOWA — Grant Schmitz, eyes inches from a 6.5- by 12-foot panel of ultra-high performance concrete, studied the smooth surface for tiny cracks. He and other research engineers carefully marked every one with black markers. Schmitz, an Iowa State graduate student of civil, construction and environmental engineering, and Sri Sritharan, Iowa State’s Wilson Engineering Professor and leader of the ’s College of Engineering's Wind Energy Initiative, were trying to answer some basic questions about using concrete panels and columns to build wind turbine towers using prefabricated, easily transportable components. 

BOSTON — GEI Consultants, Inc. opened an office in Lower Manhattan to support growth and expansion of its geotechnical, geostructural, instrumentation and monitoring, and environmental investigation and remediation services. It appointed Peter Heynen, P.E., to manage the office. 

CHICAGO — The Cascade Water Alliance (Cascade) extended the term of its agreement with Veolia Water North America (Veolia Water) to provide improved operation, maintenance and management (OM&M) services for the White River/Lake Tapps Reservoir Project. The project will serve as a future water supply for seven municipalities in the Puget Sound region. 

Houston — D. Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE, president of Klotz Associates was re-appointed by Mayor Annise Parker to the Coastal Water Authority (CWA) board of directors. The Houston City Council voted in favor of Klotz’s re-appointment during its May 1 meeting. Klotz was first appointed to the CWA board in 2011. He was elected president of the board at his first meeting. 

SAN DIEGO — A new report from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) underscores the influence that growing demographic groups in the U.S. — in particular Generation Y, African Americans, and Latinos — will have on reshaping urban growth patterns by spurring more development of compact, mixed-use communities with reliable, convenient transit service. 

IRVING, TEXAS — At its recent annual membership meeting with record-setting attendance, the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) honored four individual members and five member-company projects. Winners were recognized for exceptional service and significant achievements involving the use of polyethylene (PE) pipe. 

DURHAM, N.C. — A new study by scientists at Duke University and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) finds no evidence of groundwater contamination from shale gas production in Arkansas. "Our results show no discernible impairment of groundwater quality in areas associated with natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing in this region," said Avner Vengosh, professor of geochemistry and water quality at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment. 

KANSAS CITY, MO. — The week of May 19-25, 2013, marks the annual celebration of National Public Works Week (NPWW), which is sponsored by the American Public Works Association (APWA) to raise awareness of the vitally important contributions of public works professionals and the crucial role that infrastructure, facilities, and services play in the quality of life in all communities. 

CHICAGO — When it comes to flooding in cities, it makes little difference whether a property is located within a floodplain or not — damage happens, happens often, and can inflict significant costs. This stark lack of correlation between property damage claims and recognized floodplains is among the key findings of “The Prevalence and Cost of Urban Flooding,” a report released by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). 

ST. PAUL, MINN. — The board of the Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association (SWEMA) announced that the organization's 2013-1014 initiatives will focus on expanding its outreach program to help communities attain the goals of the Clean Water Act. 

RESTON, VA. — U.S. topographic maps now have a crisper, cleaner design — enhancing readability of maps for online and printed use, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Map symbols are easier to read over the digital aerial photograph layer whether the imagery is turned on or off. Improvements to symbol definitions (color, line thickness, line symbols, area fills), layer order, and annotation fonts are additional features of this supplemental release. Users can now adjust the transparency for some features and layers to increase visibility of multiple competing layers. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. taxpayers paid nearly $100 billion responding to damages caused by last year’s extreme weather events — drought, storms, floods, and wildfires — about $1,100 per taxpayer, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). By paying nearly $100 billion, taxpayers — through the federal government — spent more on cleanup than on education or transportation, the analysis shows. 

ABU DHABI — Bechtel announced that the company will establish a global center of engineering excellence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) initially focused on rail and marine engineering projects. The center uniquely positions Bechtel to provide customers with high-quality, innovative engineering solutions more efficiently and cost effectively. 

MIAMI — Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office; Michael DePalma, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Marlies T. Gonzalez, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; announced the sentencing of defendant Ron Capobianco, Jr., 40, of Pompano Beach, Fla., on charges of bribery in connection with programs receiving federal funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666. U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola, Jr. sentenced Capobianco to 12 months plus one day in prison. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal partners, announced that the Urban Waters Federal Partnership is adding 11 new locations. In addition, two more federal partner agencies will join the partnership in its collaborative efforts to restore waterways and their environments, boost recreation, help local economies, create jobs, and protect Americans’ health. 

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. — Key findings from Black & Veatch's seventh annual U.S. electric utility industry report show rising levels of concern across the industry for a broad range of issues. Once again reliability was the top-rated industry issue. 

LOS ANGELES — AECOM Technology Corporation reported second-quarter revenue of $2.0 billion, and revenue, net of other direct costs, of $1.3 billion. Operating income of $80 million and reported net income of $54 million both increased 10 percent, and diluted earnings per share of $0.53 were up 23 percent. 

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. — A symposium on Ultra-High Performance Concrete will be held Dec. 8, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, Fla. Sponsored by ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, the symposium will be held in conjunction with the December standards development meetings of the committee. 

HONOLULU — On May 12, 2013, Our Kakaʽako will be giving a sneak peek into its future by creating Hawaii’s largest Complete Streets demonstration. Cooke Street, between Halekauwila Street and Ala Moana Boulevard, will be transformed into a pedestrian and bike friendly space — creating a physical place for people to experience Kamehameha Schools’ envisioned walkable neighborhood. The demonstration is sponsored by Kamehameha Schools and is part of the Hele On Kakaʽako cyclovia event also taking place on May 12. 

LOS ANGELES — AECOM Technology Corporation published its second annual global sustainability report. The report, titled, “Complex Problems. Integrated Solutions.” demonstrates AECOM’s approach to helping communities and clients around the globe adapt to the ever-changing needs of nature and society.