Week of June 5, 2023
EFCG hosted its 8th Annual Technology Leadership Conference at the Microsoft Technology Center in Chicago, IL on June 8 – 9, 2023. The Conference brought together CTOs, CIOs, and technology leaders from firms across the AEC industry to discuss key topics and trends. The Conference kicked off with EFCG's signature Industry Overview presentation and was followed by panel discussions on topics such as: Artificial Intelligence, Building and Leading Technology Forward Companies, Digital Twins, Foundational Technology and The Future of Coding, Leveraging Data, and Building vs. Buying Technology to Accelerate Growth and Outcompete. Microsoft's James Collins (General Manager for State and Local Government Industry) gave this year's keynote presentation on the future of AI and its potential to impact the AEC industry and moderated a panel session to discuss how firms are thinking about AI moving forward.
EFCG would like to thank everyone who attended this year's Technology Leadership Conference and our partners and sponsors, Bentley, Microsoft, and Deltek, for their continued partnership! We look forward to seeing you again next year!
White House Announces $2.6 Billion Framework Through Investing in America Agenda to Protect Coastal Communities and Restore Marine Resources
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced a $2.6 billion framework to invest in coastal resilience through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The investment aims to support communities and individuals affected by climate change, with a focus on environmental justice and tribal priorities, dedicating $400 million specifically for habitat restoration and fish populations.
The funds will be used to improve weather and climate data and services, support conservation initiatives, and strengthen NOAA's research capabilities in studying the ocean and atmosphere.
The investment will also support workforce development, nature-based solutions, regional partnerships, and climate services for communities and businesses.
U.S. Struggles to Turn Steel Imports ‘Green’ With Tariffs
President Biden promised U.S. steelworkers he would levy tariffs on steel imported from countries that fail to meet climate obligations. Biden has yet to deliver on his pledge to apply levies based on greenhouse gases generated in production.
Biden’s plan calls for imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports based on how much greenhouse gases are emitted in production. That mechanism, dubbed the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum, would initially apply to the European Union countries before expanding to other allies.
The carbon tariff plan addresses several of Biden’s goals, as it would restrict imports of cheap and high-carbon metals from China, protect American jobs and encourage a shift to cleaner steel and aluminum production, and help Washington strengthen ties with allies by forming a tariff-free club of green steel producing nations.
June 5, 2023
Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. (Bowman), a Virginia-based multi-disciplinary infrastructure, environmental, energy, and real estate consulting firm, has acquired MTX Surveying, Inc. (MTX), a Texas-based geospatial, land survey and project management company. The acquisition of MTX will expand Bowman's energy-oriented geospatial, survey, and project management services. Gary Bowman, CEO of Bowman, stated, “Their focus on oil and gas, energy, and renewables projects will help to accelerate our goal of increasing the contribution of power and utility-oriented assignments within our revenue mix. Their experience with aerial mapping, data capture, hi-res orthometric imagery, and drone surveying complements other recent acquisitions and investments we have made in geospatial technologies and services.”
June 6, 2023
Universal Engineering Services (UES), a Florida-based engineering and consulting company, has acquired Riner Engineering (Riner), a Texas-based geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing firm. The acquisition of Riner expands UES' operating footprint and service offerings in Texas. Dave Witsken, CEO of UES, commented, “Texas is a leading market for infrastructure development in the U.S., and we believe UES will be better able to serve the growing market and provide enhanced services, solutions, and support to our clients with the addition of the Riner Engineering team.”
June 6, 2023
TRC Companies, Inc. (TRC), a Connecticut-based engineering and consulting company, has acquired Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), a California-based consulting firm that specializes in low-and zero-emission transportation technologies, infrastructure, and ultra-low carbon fuels for commercial transportation. The addition of GNA's sustainable transportation solutions will help to expand TRC's Climate Solutions offering. Chairman and CEO of TRC, Christopher Vincze, said “GNA’s unmatched sustainable transportation expertise, combined with TRC’s experience with developing energy supply and delivery systems, expands our Climate Solutions offering and helps us accelerate the zero-emission vehicle transition”.
June 8, 2023
Stantec, a Canada-based sustainable design and engineering firm, has acquired Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD), an Illinois-based mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and structural engineering firm that specializes in mission-critical facilities and data center design. The acquisition of ESD deepens Stantec’s expertise in mission-critical facilities and data center design and expands their mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and structural engineering practice by 40% in the US. Additionally, the transaction will enhance Stantec's smart building engineering capabilities that support the workplace of the future and the emerging trends of decarbonization, building repositioning, and adaptive reuse.
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