A nation-wide effort has been launched by the PVC Pipe Industry to introduce state legislation that would give their industry an advantage when it comes to pipe selection for water and wastewater projects.  11 states have seen legislation very similar to Senate Bill 157 that was recently introduced in Michigan - and every state has uniformly rejected the legislation.

 

Many Michigan Senators were misled on the intent of the legislation proposed and, to date, five state senators have removed themselves as sponsors of the bill.

 

Engineers, utility owners, municipalities, townships and many others testified in opposition of SB 157 during two meetings held by the Michigan Competitiveness Committee. Despite the overwhelming opposition, the Committee voted the bill out on a 4-1 party-line vote on March 22.

 

Engineers and communities that maintain water and wastewater systems know through experience and science that not all pipes are equal. The pipe material can have significant differences in how long they last (known as service life), durability, reliability and cost. When engineers are designing underground systems, they consider many design factors, such as what kind of soil the pipes will be in, how deep they are buried, the amount and velocity of the flow they will be carrying, and how much the pipes will cost. Engineers have professional, legal and ethical obligations for the decisions they make, and the legislation being pushed by this special interest group will put these professionals at risk.

 

There are currently no state laws prohibiting communities from using any pipe material they choose for their water and wastewater systems. The market is very competitive and various pipe materials are used in systems all over the state based on sound engineering decisions. SB 157 is unnecessary and seeks to provide an advantage to a single product and is not in the best interest of Michigan taxpayers.

ACEC Meets with US Senator Peters

ACEC Board Members recently met with US Senator Gary Peters to discuss infrastructure funding, energy policy, and other issues of interest to engineering companies.

L to R: Sean Kelley (The Mannik & Smith Group), Michael Weingartz (SmithGroupJJR), Jon Kramer (OHM Advisors), Senator Peters, Ron Brenke (ACEC/M), Robert Rayl (RS Engineering), Steve Gravlin (Wade Trim)

Engineers, Architects & Surveyors Converge on Lansing for Legislative Day

On March 7, design professionals from across the state drove to Lansing to meet with their legislators.  Appointments were made with more than 100 different legislators so that constituents from their districts could sit down and discuss key issues that affect engineers, architects and surveyors on a daily basis. Members of the design professions provided elected officials with information on the condition of our infrastructure and discussed qualifications-based procurement procedures. They also showed strong opposition to SB 157 (see above) that would encroach on their ability to engineer the best solutions when designing water and wastewater systems.

ACEC and ASCE have teamed up once again to offer the 2017 Michigan Infrastructure Conference on Thursday, May 18 at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids and have partnered to create an informative conference focusing on how infrastructure can drive economic development through emerging or expanding markets, creative leadership, new technologies and unique solutions developed by practitioners, facility/infrastructure developers and owners. These groups represent Michigan engineers, developers and other professionals who have a focus and passion to create thriving Michigan communities.

This year's event includes concurrent breakout sessions and an infrastructure panel of regional experts.

The conference is designed to bring engineers, developers and government officials together to share information and showcase unique and creative ways to finance and build Michigan's infrastructure. Six (6) educational breakout sessions will be offered in the morning and afternoon as well along with an infrastructure panel of regional experts.

Exhibitors are invited to share products and services throughout the day. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Attendees are also encouraged to join in an Engineers for Beers walking pub crawl on the evening of Wednesday, May 17.

For more details and to register, click here. 

MSPE Annual Conference Registration is Open 

May 4 and 5, 2017 in Ann Arbor 

The Engineering Michigan's Future conference is quickly approaching! Don't miss the MSPE Annual Conference on May 4-5, in Ann Arbor. We have a great line-up of speakers on a number of interesting topics. We will have David Behen, DTMB Director and Michigan CIO, to give us the latest on The Governor's 21st Century Infrastructure Report, and Kodi Jean Verhalen, P.E., Esq., president of NSPE to talk about NSPE's Future of the Profession Task Force. There will also be a special tour of Mcity, but space is limited so register soon!

Along with the numerous educational topics, there will also be a Vendor Showcase so you can check out all of the product and service offerings available to engineers. Networking events and our Awards Luncheon will round out the two-day event.

Engineering Michigan's Future will be held at the Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor. There is a special room rate available to conference attendees, but you need to book your room soon. The room block will only be held until April 7.

Please download the complete  conference brochure  to get all the information. You can register online at  www.michiganspe.org  by completing the registration form and emailing to [email protected] or mailing to MSPE, 215 N. Walnut Street, Lansing, MI 48933.

ACEC Announces 2017 Firm of the Year at ESE Awards Gala

ROWE Professional Services Company 

 

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) presented the 2017 member Firm of the Year award to ROWE Professional Services Company headquartered in Flint, Michigan. The award was presented at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala held on March 11, 2017 at The Fillmore Detroit. This is the highest honor bestowed and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service. Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach activities and ACEC/M programs that strengthen the profession for all ACEC/M members.

ROWE Professional Services Company (ROWE) stands out as a company that helps to advance the consulting design profession, is actively involved in the success and growth of ACEC/M, and constantly gives back to the community.

ROWE employees are heavily involved in the community through the United Way, Catholic Charities, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-A-Highway, among others. Staff serve in multiple leadership roles for local organizations. ROWE promotes the engineering profession by awarding scholarships, hosting dinners for graduating students and participating in STEM activities.

The firm also engages in a variety of activities to positively impact the engineering profession and ACEC/M. Jack Wheatley, PE, has served on the Board of Directors for three years, the Political Affairs Committee for seven years, and the Architects-Engineers-Surveyors Legislative Committee for six years. In 2016, he became chair of ACEC's Political Action Committee. Eric Johnston, PE, serves on the MDOT-ACEC/M Policies and Procedures Committee, its Consultant Evaluation sub-team and Negotiations Sub-team, and on the ACEC/M Transportation Committee. Other ROWE staff are involved with ACEC/M committees as well.

ASCE Scholarship Applications &

Awards Nomination Forms

The Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers will again be awarding two scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year. The Mackinac Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 is awarded to a Civil Engineering student entering their junior year ($5,000 for 2 years). The Zuidema Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, is awarded to a junior or senior student member of ASCE. Click here  for more detailed info and the application form. The deadline to submit is Memorial Day.

 

ASCE MI also presents project and individual awards. Project awards presented include Historic Engineering Landmark, Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement, and Quality of Life. Individual awards consist of Franklin D. Meyers Civil Engineer of the Year and Young Civil Engineer of the Year. All award submittals are due in early April and will be presented during the Michigan Infrastructure Conference on May 18.  Click here for submittal forms.

MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop Continues to Grow

Held February 1 at the Lansing Center

The

Kirk T. Steudle, PE, MDOT Director

2017 MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop set another record with over 560 attendees! Kirk T. Steudle, P.E., State Transportation Director, and Evan Weiner, Chair of the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, spoke during the opening session. John Martin, CEO and Co-Founder of GenerationsMatter, spoke on Transcendent Trends Reshaping the Future of the Transportation Industry during the general session. 

For more program details, including sponsors and presentation information, visit the ACEC/M website!

MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award

Presented to IBI Group

 

ACEC Awards Scholarships

$15,000 Awarded to 5 Students

Each year, the ACEC/Michigan Scholarship Committee awards scholarships in order to promote the profession and to provide financial support to students pursuing careers in engineering and surveying. The scholarships are awarded to deserving college students who have completed their freshman year and are enrolled in an ABET accredited engineering or surveying program. They are evaluated in the following areas: work experience, extra-curricular and community activities, references, grade point average, and a written essay. Applicants must also have worked for a private engineering, architectural or surveying firm in the past 24 months. 

 

This year 19 scholarship applications were received. Out of those applicants, 5 students were chosen to receive scholarships in varying amounts. 

 

Congratulations to the 2017 ACEC/M Scholarship winners: 

• Alexander Baker, Michigan Technological University
• Leah DeSimpelare, Michigan Technological University
• Nicholas DeSimpelare, Michigan State University
• Alexander Sharp, Toledo University
• Taylor Wiegand, Michigan Technological University

These recipients were honored during the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on March 11, 2017. 

 

Click here for complete details on ACEC/M Scholarships.

ACEC Welcomes New Members!

ACEC is excited to welcome these new member firms: 

• Alpine Engineering, Inc.

MATHCOUNTS State Winners Announced