ACEC-NH is proud to announce that the ACEC Research Institute has awarded $5,000 in scholarships to students in New Hampshire this year. The scholarships, made possible by generous donors, aim to make engineering careers more accessible to students and address the engineering workforce shortage facing the industry.

The scholarship winner this year was: 

• Ana Rolfe, University of New Hampshire
  NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship, $5,000
  

We are thrilled to recognize Ana Rolfe from the University of New Hampshire as this year’s scholarship recipient. Her academic excellence and dedication to engineering make her a deserving candidate. Awarding scholarships like this one allows us to invest in talented individuals like Ana Rolfe, ensuring a strong pipeline of future engineers ready to make a positive impact on our state and beyond.

Mike Carragher, chair of the ACEC Research Institute, highlighted the importance of these scholarships in encouraging the next generation of engineers. “The ACEC Research Institute is committed to supporting students who are passionate about engineering but may face financial challenges. By providing these scholarships, we are investing in the future of our profession and ensuring that talented individuals are empowered to pursue their dreams.”

The scholarships are given to a diverse group of students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a dedication to the field of engineering. This initiative is part of the ACEC Research Institute’s broader effort to address the current shortage of engineers that are critically needed to solve complex challenges. In total, the ACEC Research Institute provided nearly $700,000 to 97 deserving students this year. 

“Engineering is at the heart of solving many of today’s most pressing challenges,” Carragher continued. “By making engineering education more accessible, we are not only helping individual students but also strengthening the entire industry. These scholarships will help ensure that we have a robust pipeline of skilled engineers ready to tackle the complex issues of tomorrow.”

These students will help grow the cadre of engineers that work every day to design infrastructure that makes transportation safer, create solutions to improve our environment, and design buildings that reduce our impact on the climate now and into the future.

The ACEC Research Institute’s scholarship program is just one of many initiatives aimed at supporting the engineering community. Through original research, economic analysis and thought leadership, the Institute is dedicated to advancing the engineering profession and promoting its critical role in society.

For more information about the ACEC Research Institute’s scholarship program and other initiatives, please visit ACEC Research Institute.

(Concord, NH) Nobis Group, a 100% employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering and environmental solutions to clients throughout the Northeast, recently awarded scholarships to two 2024 recipients.

Now in its sixth year, the Nobis Group scholarship program was developed to further the company’s dedication to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to high school students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors in New Hampshire and Massachusetts who have demonstrated an interest and are pursuing further education in STEM fields at a college, university, or trade school. Scholarship applications, essays, and transcripts are evaluated by an internal committee at Nobis comprised of scientists, engineers, and administrative professionals tasked with selecting students who best demonstrate a passion for STEM.

“The students who apply for our scholarship each year are truly impressive. It’s encouraging to see so many young people committed to not only the environmental and engineering fields, but also to bettering their communities,” noted Katie Dillon, Nobis Group Director of Marketing and Chair of the firm’s Scholarship Committee. “It’s always a challenging task to pick the winners, but I know our committee considers it a great privilege to be a part of supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education.”

This year’s recipients include Massachusetts student Janmarcos Espinal-Rodriguez of Abbott Lawrence Academy and New Hampshire student Abhinav Avvaru of Nashua High School South.

About Nobis Group

Nobis Group, founded in 1988, is a leading engineering and environmental services consulting firm providing expertise and solutions for public and private projects throughout the Northeast U.S. Nobis Group offers civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, water supply, and environmental remediation services. Nobis Group is a 100% employee-owned company with a legacy of collaboration, responsiveness, an employee-focused workplace culture, and community involvement.

On June 7, 2024, ACEC-NH hosted a Summer Partnering Meeting with NHDOT. This meeting featured a panel discussion hosted by WTS-NH on Situational Awareness & Effective Communication.

The meeting agenda included:

• 10 Year Transportation Plan Update
• CQI Committee Updates
• NHDOT Staff Changes
• Upcoming Projects & RFPs
• Updates on the LPA Program
• Q&A/Open Discussion

Missed the meeting or looking to share anything you’ve learned with others? View Presentation Slides Here

On February 2, 2024, ACEC-NH hosted a Winter Technical Meeting with NHDOT. This presentation focused on stormwater management, and other hot topics including:

Water Quality Procedures & Implementation for Efficient Permitting with NHDES and Consistency in Construction.

• NHDOT Water Quality Procedures
• Design phase water quality procedure implementation
• Construction phase water quality procedure implementation

NHDOT’s Inaugural Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment

Missed the meeting or looking to share anything you’ve learned with others? View Presentation Slides Here

NHDES is hosting its  2024 Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop, from April 9-12, 2024. The online workshop will include sessions focusing on NHDES-administered funding programs with topics including funding program updates, asset management, PFAS and lead updates, and more. The intended audience includes current/future loan recipients, community/financial decision makers, public works directors, city/town managers, municipal and regional planners, consultants/engineers, operators, and others interested in the NHDES-administered funding programs.

Please see below for Tracy Wood’s PowerPoint and other information from March 28th’s NHDES/ACEC-NH CQI Committee meeting.

Env-C 500 Prequalification for Licensed Engineering Firms for Certain Projects

10 Year Transportation Plan (2025 to 2034)

Yesterday, Bill Oldenburg (NHDOT Director of Project Development) and NHDOT Commissioner Bill Cass presented information to the House Public Works and Highways Committee.

New!! PowerPoint on the 10 Year Transportation Plan.

View current plan.

Local Bridge and Highway Aid

This week, the Senate Finance Committee sent SB 398 to interim study (effectively killing the bill). You can read the hearing report and the committee report here. The Legislature appears to have put away the checkbook and will not be spending any new dollars in this off-budget year. As you can see in the hearing report, ACEC-NH strongly supported this legislation.

Driveway Permit Bill Scaled Back

This week, the House Public Work and Highways Committee amended HB 1202. This bill seeks to establish certain deadlines for issuance of permits for the alteration of driveways exiting onto public ways. The new version of the bill only applies to any existing or proposed residential use of land, including multifamily development. In those cases, NHDOT the department shall issue a driveway permit within 30 days of filing.

Subcommittee Scraps PE & LS Licensing Board Merger

At its public hearing in January, ACEC-NH strongly opposed HB 1286 before the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee. This bill merges the board of professional engineers and the board of land surveyors into one regulatory body called the board of professional engineers and land surveyors. The board would consist of 5 members appointed by the governor and council, including 2 professional engineers, 2 land surveyors, and one public member. ACEC-NH and many other land survey, and engineering professionals opposed this bill. We believe HB 1286 is a solution in search of a problem. The two boards as currently configured serve the public and profession extremely well. A subcommittee that reviewed the bill following the public hearing voted 5 to 0 to kill it.

Drinking Water $$ Bill Moves Forward

SB 393 appropriates $25,000,000 to NHDES for the purpose of funding drinking water infrastructure in Derry. The funding will be used for Phase 2 of the Southern NH Regional Water Project, which aims to increase water supply to multiple towns impacted by PFAS contamination and growing water demands. The infrastructure will include booster pumping stations, pressure reducing stations, water storage tanks, water mains, and other necessary projects. Where does the $25 million come from? A combination of federal funds, the drinking water and groundwater trust fund, the PFAS remediation loan and grant fund and local contributions.

Wastewater Engineering Update

The State Senate has passed an amended version of SB 492, which makes several changes to wastewater engineering laws. Firstly, it removes the term “intercepting” from the description of sewers for the purpose of applying for and distributing state aid grants. Secondly, it raises the fee for wastewater operator certificates from $50 to $100. Lastly, it changes the term “consulting engineers” to “consulting engineering firms” for rule-making purposes. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2024.

Solid Waste

This week, the House Environment and Agriculture Committee conducted public hearings on bills related to solid waste regulation. This includes HB 1145, prohibiting the private ownership of landfills; and HB 1602, relative to suspending the issuance of new landfill permits until 2031. HB 1145 would ban private ownership of any new landfill, requiring the state to own all new landfills in New Hampshire. HB 1620 puts a moratorium on new landfill permits. ACEC-NH has been opposed to these types of proposals for many years.

View the complete list of bills ACEC-NH is tracking here.

[Concord, NH – January 2024] — The H.L. Turner Group Inc. (TTG), a leader in architectural and engineering services in the northeast, announces a strategic move effective January 1, 2024: the merger with subsidiary Quantum Construction Consultants, LLC (QCC). This exciting step not only expands TTG’s service offerings but also establishes a dedicated Infrastructure Division within the company, leveraging QCC’s renowned expertise in this crucial sector. All QCC staff have joined TTG, ensuring a seamless transition and continued exceptional service for clients.

QCC brings a wealth of experience and a stellar reputation for excellence in engineering bridges, dams and roads, construction administration, and project management. Led by the highly respected Rick Wolf, Jr., QCC’s team has consistently delivered projects on time, within budget, and exceeding client expectations.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with TTG. We’re ready to unlock a new level of service and expertise for our clients and are confident this merger will drive innovation and contribute significantly to the region’s infrastructure development,” shares Rick Wolf, Jr.

The merger of QCC solidifies TTG’s position as a comprehensive, forward-thinking leader in the engineering industry. This strategic move paves the way for further growth and a commitment to delivering exceptional solutions.

“By welcoming QCC as our new Infrastructure Division, we’re not only strengthening our existing service offerings but also creating a powerhouse team capable of tackling even the most demanding engineering challenges.” – Bill Hickey, President of TTG.

About The H.L. Turner Group Inc.

The H.L. Turner Group Inc. (TTG) is a professional team of architects, engineers, and building scientists serving business, industry, and government. The company was founded in 1990. Our vision is “improving society and lives through a proactive and integrated focus on the built environment.”

[Concord, NH] — Wilcox & Barton, Inc., a thriving New England engineering firm specializing in civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering, proudly announces the promotion of Erin Lambert , PE, LEED AP, to the prestigious positions of Senior Vice President of Civil Engineering and Senior Vice President of People & Culture.

With an outstanding record in client and staff management as well as project delivery, Lambert brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Wilcox & Barton, Inc. In her new dual role, she will continue to lead the Civil Engineering Practice, taking charge of project management, client relationships, and strategic initiatives aimed at steering the continued success of the firm. As a key member of the Executive Committee, Lambert will extend her leadership beyond project management, heading initiatives dedicated to enhancing the lives and working environment of the company’s valued staff. Her proven track record in fostering positive workplace culture aligns seamlessly with the firm’s commitment to employee success and wellbeing.

“We are delighted to recognize Erin Lambert as Senior Vice President,” said company President and CEO, William Wilcox. “Her unique ability to blend technical expertise with a people-first approach makes her the ideal leader to continue driving our Civil Engineering Practice and enhancing our workplace culture.”

Lambert expressed excitement about the promotion and stated, “I am honored to take on these dual leadership roles at Wilcox & Barton, Inc. It’s a company that consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence and innovation, and I really value this team of people. I look forward to leveraging my experience in civil engineering and people management to contribute to the continued success of our projects and the well-being of our exceptional team.”

About Wilcox & Barton, Inc.

Since 2000, Wilcox & Barton, Inc. had provided clients with a complete range of environmental, civil, and geotechnical engineering services throughout the Northeast. The company has earned a reputation for responsiveness, successful management of complex problems, and for providing innovative, cost-effective solutions.