An article in the October 17 issue of ENR titled “ Green Infrastructure Faces Tough Time Gaining Traction ” (subscription necessary) highlights some of the problems applying sustainability to infrastructure design and construction. The article outlines some of the hurdles as: Lack of data...
I’m sure I speak for many of you when I say that I’m very disappointed with the handling of the debt ceiling issue. I’m not speaking of specific provisions in the legislation that was adopted (does anyone really know what’s in it anyway?), but how the political wrangling brought...
Without strong infrastructure systems, our national economic position, including our workforce, production, health, safety, and overall welfare is at risk. Professional engineers play a key role in the planning, design, implementation, construction, operation, and maintenance of this infrastructure....
As the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives spars with President Obama over needed budget cuts, it appears that funding of the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program is a pawn in the chess game. The House Republicans have proposed drastic cuts to the federal budget, including the EPA...
When we talk about funding infrastructure, why is it that roads, bridges, and airports get the attention? Probably because we all see them every day and a failure is catastrophic (always making today’s news). Our public investment in water and wastewater infrastructure is one of our largest national...
As we dust ourselves off from the shellacking that most of us took in 2010 and look forward (with hope?) to 2011 and beyond, it is obvious to me that the U.S. is at a significant crossroads. While many economists predict modest growth of 3% this year, they also predict that unemployment will hover around...
When we think of efficiency and conservation, most of us immediately think of our electric use and how many miles we can go on a gallon of gas, but how many of us think about our water consumption? I am a water resources engineer, so my hand goes up, but most people don’t. And I’m not talking...