December 2020
In this issue…
Removal of PE Exemption for Gas Utility Plans and Specifications Signed into Law
Appreciation to our members
In Memory: ROBERT S. MILLER, III, P.E., FNSPE
High Costs and Lack of Manufacturing Base Challenge Offshore Wind
NSPE Government Relations Staff Releases 2020 Advocacy Report
Education Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of Giving Back
EJCDC Releases New Owner and Engineer Task Order Docs
It’s Not Too Late: Get Your 15 Free PDHs for 2020
Removal of PE Exemption for Gas Utility Plans and Specifications Signed into Law
The General Assembly passed the following language during the 2020 session:
The Commission shall promulgate regulations requiring that a licensed professional engineer exercise responsible charge, as defined in § 54.1-400, over engineering projects that (i) involve gas pipeline facilities, as defined in the federal regulations promulgated under 49 U.S.C § 60101 et seq., as amended and adopted by the State Corporation Commission, and the federal pipeline safety laws, and (ii) may present a material risk to public safety.
A working group was established to develop regulations defining when a PE seal will be required for construction and maintenance operations. Michael A. Lo Presti, PE, CSDP and President & Managing Principal of Presti & Company, Inc. is our member and Georg W. Dahl, PE who is Retired Civil Service Mechanical Engineer and our APELSCIDLA Representative is our alternate member. Christopher M Stone, PE, F.NSPE and President of Clark Nexsen also represented the profession. VSPE will post public comments on the proposed Regulations on behalf of members and PE’s in Virginia by the February 2, 2021 deadline.
On behalf of the VSPE Board of Directors, NSPE’s leadership, the VSPE Educational Fund Trustees and the Virginia Engineers Political Action Committee Trustees, thank you for your continued membership and your pursuit of ethical practices as licensed Professional Engineers. You and we wear the white hats. Stay safe and healthy in this historic time. Blessings for those lost over the past year and decade, from all of us.
In Memory: ROBERT S. MILLER, III, P.E., FNSPE
Bob is a 1967 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Civil Engineering. He served terms as President of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers and was President of the NSPE Education Foundation for many years. He was a three-time recipient of the State engineering society’s “Engineer of the Year” award. He received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Virginia Tech College of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2009) and a Commending Resolution from Virginia Beach City Council (2009) for 30 years of volunteer service to Special Olympics. In 2020, Bob was recognized by the Virginia Beach Jaycees as “First Citizen of Virginia Beach”.
Throughout his life in Hampton Roads, Bob has been an involved citizen, including membership on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Committee, Town Center Kiwanis Club, Virginia Beach Special Olympics and several additional organizations.
Bob founded MSA, P.C., in 1973 and currently served as President of the firm until 2020, which provides civil engineering, land surveying and environmental sciences to clients in the public and private sectors.
Quotes from members:
Bob is a dear soul, wonderful friend and was an inspiration to me for many years.
– Rebecca L Golden, PE – VSPE Chief Finance Officer; past President VSPE, Member since 1994
I also point out Bob was a Vietnam vet in an unusual assignment, a US Army Corps of Engineers LT serving in the US Marine Corps Civil Affairs assignment…later at the US Army Engineer School on the platform as an instructor. I believe his subject was the Military Justice system….which if I recall correctly he said he had no experience in/with as he had not been in a troop unit…first met Bob at a NSPE annual meeting. He was representing Virginia; me Wyoming….he had a glowing report about VSPE….Mine about WSPE did not glow…as we had no chapters due low population of P.E.s..and significant distances between towns… REST EASY BOB!…CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY FRIENDS AND MSA!
– Kenneth D Jobe, PE; Life Member; Member since 1965
I knew Engineer Bob Miller quite well when years ago I was active and attended VSPE meetings. He was a most pleasant person. A very reliable officer of VSPE a person you could always count on. I particularly remember that when we had our own VSPE magazine he created a column he called “Alpha to Omega” on new members and departed members. He now has joined the Omega listing and I feel that all who knew him will miss him.
– Phillip L. Melville, P.E., past President VSPE, Fellow NSPE, Member since 1961
High Costs and Lack of Manufacturing Base Challenge Offshore Wind
In the Old Dominion, offshore wind has become the most ambitious and expensive part of the state’s plan to meet Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s goal of achieving a carbon-free electric grid by 2050, reports the Virginia Mercury. Last December, Dominion announced plans to build the nation’s largest offshore wind farm in its federal lease area off Virginia Beach at an estimated cost of $8 billion. Wind developer Avangrid, which is behind the Kitty Hawk project in North Carolina, is also eyeing the state as a possible destination for its power, although no contracts have been signed.
High costs and the large role played by Dominion Energy, however, are creating uneasiness and tension. Lack of a manufacturing supply chain is also a challenge. States from Massachusetts to Virginia are scrambling to position themselves as offshore wind hubs that can not only operate new wind farms but manufacture and maintain the parts that run them.
Stay up to date on legislative issues through the NSPE Advocacy Center.
NSPE Government Relations Staff Releases 2020 Advocacy Report
NSPE’s Government Relations staff has released its year-end report—By the Numbers—a semi-deep dive into how advocacy campaigns performed, which issues staff tracked and how often, and which members of Congress were most and least supportive of NSPE issues.
The report provides summaries of lessons learned and establishes best practices. It also draws some fact-based conclusions on who are NSPE allies on the Hill, and which offices need a little more prompting before they get on board. It’s an excellent capstone to an unexpected and difficult, but ultimately successful year! Access the report.
Education Foundation Celebrates 60 Years of Giving Back
For 60 years, the NSPE Education Foundation has been a major source of support for the educational and ethical practice needs of engineering students, engineering teachers, and practicing professionals.
This past year, the foundation gave out five scholarships to deserving engineering students and supported young professionals in NSPE’s Emerging Leaders Program . In the coming year, the foundation will explore additional programs to broaden its reach and impact, and NSPE member support will mean more than ever before.
In this season of giving, and in honor of the NSPE Education Foundation’s 60th anniversary, a donation of $60 will help further its mission to support students, educators, young professionals, and the profession at large.
EJCDC Releases New Owner and Engineer Task Order Docs
The Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee has released a new document: EJCDC E-505 2020, Agreement Between Owner and Engineer for Professional Services—Task Order Edition . This document is available to NSPE members at a 50% discount.
EJCDC E-505 defines individual task orders for specific professional assignments. In a task order, the owner and engineer agree to task-specific terms, such as scope of services, schedule, and compensation, for each specific assignment. When a task order is issued, no drafting or negotiating is needed for provisions such as indemnification, insurance, claims, dispute resolution, suspension, or termination because these provisions will have been negotiated previously and set in place in the E-505 Main Agreement and its exhibits.
The E-505 is designed for multiple or recurring assignments (“tasks”) related to one or several projects; it is similar to the E-500 Agreement Between Owner-Engineer for Professional Services in structure, terminology, and conditions. Updates to the EJCDC E-505 include enhanced and reorganized exhibits to the E-505 main agreement and task order form to reflect evolving contract practice and improve ease of use. This edition is published in four parts, which are included in a downloadable zip file.
It’s Not Too Late: Get Your 15 Free PDHs for 2020
Act now to take advantage of the annual NSPE membership benefit of 15 free PDHs. Access to the 2020 lineup of courses will end afterDecember 31.
Members may earn credits by viewing the webinars from the comfort of their home or office and will receive an attendance certificate after passing a quiz with a score of 70% or higher. PDHs from these courses are recognized by most US states, including Florida.
Don’t have time to view the 15 free courses before December 31? Simply “purchase” the webinars by December 31 and add them to your NSPE member account. That way you can view them when you are ready. Webinars in your account can be accessed for up to one year.
Here’s a sample of available webinar topics:
- Engineering Ethics: The obligation to conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully
- Drones: The Sky’s the Limit
- How Not to Fail as a Leader
- Professional Engineer’s Role on Application of Artificial Intelligence and Technology
- Texts and Emails That Fuel Engineering Success
Act now to access the 2020 free courses