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Parsons Brinckerhoff names new CEO
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December 1, 2009
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 NEW YORK, NY -- Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) has announced the appointment of George J. Pierson as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2010. Mr. Pierson, currently president and COO of the firm’s Americas division, succeeds Keith J. Hawksworth, who becomes chairman. Mr. Pierson, who will continue as president and COO of PB’s Americas division, assumes the management of a professional services company with 15,000 employees in 150 offices worldwide and 2009 revenues of $2.1 billion. Parsons Brinckerhoff was acquired by Balfour Beatty, an international engineering, construction, professional services and investment group, in October, 2009 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Balfour Beatty....
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PB to design Denver urban renewal project
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December 1, 2009
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DENVER — Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) was selected by the city and county of Denver to design an urban renewal project for a 12-block area along 14th Street between Colfax Avenue and Market Street in downtown Denver. The purpose of the project is to create an “ambassador street” within the downtown city grid, linking together several cultural and municipal facilities, including the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Denver Convention Center, Webb Building, and historic Larimer Square....
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New sustainable landscape rating system released
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December 1, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Sustainable Sites Initiative released the nation’s first rating system for the design, construction, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the initiative’s rating system represents four years of work by sustainability experts, scientists, and design professionals, as well as public input from individuals and dozens of organizations....
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EPA requests comments on stormwater survey
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December 1, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a survey to help strengthen stormwater regulations and reduce stormwater discharges from newly developed and redeveloped sites. The draft survey would require detailed information about stormwater management and control practices, local regulations, and baseline financial information....
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First Wind begins second-phase construction on the Stetson wind project
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November 30, 2009
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BOSTON — First Wind, an independent wind power company, announced that it has begun construction of the 25.5 MW expansion of its Stetson Wind project in Danforth, Maine....
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Energy department announces new private sector partnership to accelerate renewable energy projects
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November 30, 2009
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WASHINGTON, DC. — Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) will provide up to $750 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help accelerate the development of conventional renewable energy generation projects....
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Maryland’s governor announces a 50-year contract with Ports America
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November 25, 2009
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BALTIMORE, MD. — Maryland’s Governor, Martin O’Malley announced a 50-year agreement between the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) and Ports America Chesapeake that will allow the MPA to lease its 200-acre Seagirt Marine Terminal to Ports America. ...
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Bentley’s opens the 2010 Student Design Competition
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November 25, 2009
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EXTON, PA. — Bentley Systems has opened the 2010 Student Design Competition which will allow students to submit projects designed by Bentley software. ...
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Kleinfelder acquires S E A Consultants
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November 24, 2009
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CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — Kleinfelder which employs more than 2,000 people in over 60 locations across the nation acquired S E A Consultants Inc., a full-service engineering, architecture and planning firm headquartered in Cambridge, Mass....
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EPA issues final rule to reduce water pollution from construction sites
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November 24, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on Nov. 23, 2009, to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. According to the agency, this rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over four years, will significantly improve the quality of water nationwide....
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CH2M HILL Releases its 2009 Sustainability Report
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November 23, 2009
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DENVER — CH2M HILL released its 2009 Sustainability Report which details its internal and project successes that address critical issues related to the inter-connectivity of energy, water, climate change, and land development for the 2007-2008 reporting period....
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AECOM awarded a $10-million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract
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November 23, 2009
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LOS ANGELES — AECOM Technology Corporation was awarded a five-year, $10-million contract for hydraulic, hydrologic and environmental engineering design services by the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Portland, Oregon District. The hydraulic and hydrologic modeling will support improvements in fish passage and sediment, water quality throughout the Columbia and Willamette river basins in Washington and Oregon.
AECOM experts will perform technical studies and design analyses for spillways, outlet works, power facilities, canals, navigation locks, navigation channels, and harbor and coastal projects. They will also perform site assessments and investigation of water and sediment quality.
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ASTM initiates a new testing program for product and personnel conformance
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November 23, 2009
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W. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. — The ASTM board of directors authorized its management to develop the capability to offer certification services for products and personnel. ...
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Recovery Act reaches 10,000 transportation projects nationwide
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November 23, 2009
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WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the Department of Transportation has jumpstarted more than 10,000 transportation projects across America. ...
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ACEC/NC awards Grand Award for Engineering excellence to Florence & Hutcheson Consulting Engineers
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November 19, 2009
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Florence & Hutcheson (F&H) received a Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina (ACEC/NC) for their work on the Bryan Boulevard Relocation at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA)....
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The largest wind facility in Utah is complete
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November 19, 2009
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BOSTON — First Wind, a wind power company, completed the first phase of the Milford Wind Corridor project located in Millard and Beaver counties in Utah. The first phase of the project will generate 203.5 MW of clean energy, making it the largest renewable energy facility in Utah....
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Water Replenishment District celebrates 50 years of groundwater stewardship
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November 19, 2009
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LAKEWOOD, CALIF. — For half a century, California’s Water Replenishment District (District or WRD) has protected and replenished groundwater to 420 square mile basins since Nov. 7, 1959. The District was created to replenish the basins of the Los Angeles coastal plains that were at risk of catastrophic collapse, putting in peril a resource that supplies water to 43 cities in south Los Angeles County. Since the District’s inception, more than 8 million acre-feet of groundwater has been replenished into the basins....
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Competency Model released to encourage water careers
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November 18, 2009
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Washington, D.C. — According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recent reports indicate that more than 30 percent of the water and wastewater professionals will be retiring in the next 5 to 7 years. To address this growing concern, the EPA's Office of Water collaborated with the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Department of Labor to develop the Water Sector Competency Model. A competency model is one of the tools used by the Department of Labor to provide a clear description of what a person needs to know and be able to do (such as knowledge, skills, and abilities) to perform well in a specific job, occupation, or industry....
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California finally passes water legislation
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November 10, 2009
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SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — After years of contentious debate between business, agricultural, water supplier, and environmental interests, the California Legislature finally passed what is being called “historic” water legislation....
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IECA calls for Awards of Environmental Excellence nominations
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November 10, 2009
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DENVER, COLO. — The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for nominations for its 19th annual Awards of Environmental Excellence. This year’s awards program features two new award categories: Organization of the Year and Young Professional of the Year. IECA will also honor a Sustained Contributor and Industry Professional of the Year during its awards program at Environmental Connection 2010 (EC10) Feb. 16-20, 2010....
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ABC forecasts transitional year to recovery
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November 10, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released its 2010 economic forecast for the commercial and industrial construction industry. “While the industry battled the effects of the recession in 2009, expect 2010 to be a transitional but sluggish year on the road to recovery,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu....
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Desalination market growing at record rate
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November 9, 2009
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DUBAI, UAE — The global desalination market is growing at a record rate, led by surging demand for seawater desalination, according to the 22nd GWI/IDA Worldwide Desalting Plant Inventory. The total capacity of plants now online is 59.9 million cubic meters per day (m3/d), a 6.6 million-m3/d increase compared with last year.
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Study explores why women leave engineering careers
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November 9, 2009
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MILWAUKEE — While only one in 10 male engineers leave their field by the time they reach their 30s, about one in four women are not working in engineering despite having completed the necessary education. A study getting under way at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will explore the reasons for the relatively large gap between the number of women who obtain engineering degrees but leave the field or never enter, and those who pursue careers and remain....
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URS acquires ForeRunner Corp.
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November 9, 2009
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. — URS Corporation acquired ForeRunner Corporation, an engineering and construction management company specializing in projects for the oil and gas industry....
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Survey: How do you use your mobile phone and the Internet?
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November 9, 2009
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CHICAGO — Technological advancements in mobile devices and social media are changing the ways engineers connect with clients and with each other. To document these changes, the editors of CE News, Structural Engineer, and Rebuilding America's Infrastructure are seeking to learn how you use your mobile phone and the Internet to perform your job and support your career. Please take a brief — less than five minutes — online survey to share the role this technology plays in your workday. Click here to take the survey.
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New sustainable landscape rating system released
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November 6, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Sustainable Sites Initiative released the nation’s first rating system for the design, construction, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Initiative’s rating system represents four years of work by dozens of the country’s leading sustainability experts, scientists, and design professionals, as well as public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations to create this essential missing link in green design....
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New dam and reservoir to improve administration of Colorado/New Mexico La Plata River Compact
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November 6, 2009
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CENTENNIAL, COLO. — The Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority and the La Plata Water Conservancy District selected GEI Consultants, Inc., to provide dam engineering services for the Long Hollow Dam and Reservoir, which is located about 22 miles southwest of Durango, Colo. The Long Hollow Reservoir Project will assist the state of Colorado in meeting its delivery obligations under the La Plata River Compact by providing water to improve La Plata River flow delivery to New Mexico....
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New inertial MEMS accelerometers expected to benefit infrastructure and seismic monitoring
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November 5, 2009
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PALO ALTO, CALIF. — HP introduced inertial sensing technology that enables the development of digital micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers that it says are as much as 1,000 times more sensitive than high-volume products currently available. A MEMS accelerometer is a sensor that can be used to measure vibration, shock or change in velocity. By deploying many of these detectors as part of a complete sensor network, HP will enable real-time data collection, management, evaluation, and analysis to improve safety, security, and sustainability for a range of applications, such as bridge and infrastructure health monitoring, geophysical mapping, mine exploration, and earthquake monitoring....
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Hydropower upgrades to yield added generation without new dams
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November 5, 2009
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $30.6 million in Recovery Act funding for selection of seven hydropower projects that modernize hydropower infrastructure by increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts at existing facilities. The expanded hydro generation projects have estimated incremental costs of less than 4 cents per kWh on average. The projects will deploy innovative technologies such as high-efficiency, fish-friendly turbines, improved water intakes, and advanced control systems to increase power generation and improve environmental stewardship.
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Spatial Roundtable opens smart grid questions to energy and GIS communities
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November 5, 2009
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REDLANDS, CALIF. — Leaders in the energy and utility industries are coming together at a Spatial Roundtable to discuss the smart grid. Hosted by ESRI, the online discussion features timely topics as they relate to geographic information system (GIS) technology....
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