Renewable energy sources are often located in rural areas far from the urban centers that call for the highest demand for energy. The power grids in existence today were designed to link customers to relatively nearby coal, gas and nuclear powerplants. In order to benefit from the environmental, economic and national security advantages of renewableenergy, the U.S. needs to find affordable and efficient means to transmit the renewable energy from these remote areas to where it is needed most.With private property easements both scarce and expensive, the use of existing freeway right-of-way offers a very attractive option for transmitting renewable
Photo by Skip Pennington/Brasfield & Gorrie Protection of public safety, health and welfare is the chief imperative of licensed practice. Related Links: The Case For Practice Restrictions in Licensure How To Close A License Loophole Dont Blame Engineering for the Gulf Spill A physician's first priority is to do no harm, and an engineer's primary obligation is to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public. This notion is precisely what motivates the advocates of separate licensure for structural engineers—the sincere belief that such a step is necessary to ensure that structures will remain standing.Several states have had
istockphoto Precedents in most states establish that OSHA standards apply to third parties at construction sites. Related Links: Nevada Toughens Safety Laws In Response to Work Fatalities Personal injury case juries are known for their generosity toward injured individuals, but a current case where I'm an expert witness for the plaintiff shows that juries can be unpredictable.The case involves a hotel that was getting a heating and cooling system upgrade in Las Vegas. Because the case is under appeal, I can't reveal the name of the case or the parties. I can tell you enough about it to show you
Recently, national attention was focused on the prospect of “Carmageddon” in Los Angeles brought about by the closure of 10 miles of Interstate 405 during a weekend. But the most contentious highway project in the region, the I-710 Freeway, remains uncompleted. In May 2010, after 50 years of debate and false starts, the Los Angeles Courtesy I-710 Coalition Image used by proponents of the I-710 Gap Closure project. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority funded the environmental impact report for finishing with a toll tunnel the last 4.5 miles of this section of its freeway core. Currently, northbound vehicles on I-710 exit
It seems a distant memory as we move into the heat of summer, but just a few months ago roof collapses were making headlines as never before. Massive accumulations of snow crushed everything from the Minneapolis Metrodome to schools, homes and churches. Media coverage stoked worries about structural integrity and whether building codes were sufficient for the extreme storms of a changing climate. Last winter saw major facility owners taking preventative actions to avoid dangerous roof collapses. After conducting an evaluation with the help of structural engineers, the operators of the MassMutual Center, Springfield, Mass., for example, canceled some events
Technology and how it can affect design and construction are clearly present concerns for ENR's readership. To gather our expanding coverage in one place, we have launched a twice-monthly e-mail newsletter designed to deliver insights, news, how-to's, links and more. Everything from gadget reviews to complex tech issues are explored in each FutureTech issue. NEWSLETTER DEBUTS First issue hit inboxesJune 14, next issue will be delivered June 28. “More firms are getting smarter about how they use technology and social media to serve their clients and cut costs,” says Erin Joyce, ENR's managing editor, integrated media. Coming to ENR last
Thinking about finally adding computer-aided design software to your workflow? Maybe you want to expand your existing CAD investment into facilities management, or what we now call BIM (Building Information Management) software. In this two-part article, I'll explain some important questions you need to ask yourself and your CAD vendor or vendors before you buy.Start by remembering that the design process is a thinking process. If your software gets in the way of your thinking, it may not be right for you.That said, a CAD or facilities management package is nothing more than a database program with a very fancy
The National Society of Professional Engineers has a longstanding policy in favor of generic licensure. According to its Position Statement No. 1737, “NSPE endorses the [National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying] Model Law definition of the 'practice of engineering' … and encourages enactment of Model Law provisions. NSPE endorses and supports the concept of licensure of engineers only as a 'Professional Engineer' and opposes licensure status by designated branches or specialties.”But the NCEES Model Law definition of a professional engineer (PE) states, “The board may designate a professional engineer, on the basis of education, experience, and examination, as
SCHMIDT The National Society of Professional Engineers has a longstanding policy in favor of generic licensure. According to its Position Statement No. 1737, “NSPE endorses the [National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying] Model Law definition of the ’practice of engineering’ … and encourages enactment of Model Law provisions. NSPE endorses and supports the concept of licensure of engineers only as a ’Professional Engineer’ and opposes licensure status by designated branches or specialties.” But the NCEES Model Law definition of a professional engineer (PE) states, “The board may designate a professional engineer, on the basis of education, experience, and
For everyone concerned with construction, economic sustainability and disaster resiliency, the first five months of 2011 have been momentous. The quake in Christchurch, New Zealand, reminded us of the need for effective seismic retrofit programs. Japan’s triple disaster and shattered supply chain documented for us again that preparing for just a single disaster scenario does not match real-world events. The record tornado outbreaks proved the value of better warning systems and tornado shelters. And the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden has caused many of us to reflect on actions we have either taken or not taken over the
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