Artisan Electric Presentation

We had an exciting talk about solar panels, and yes, they do work well in Washington State! The talk ranged from where solar panels are used in the world, to the different types of solar panel configurations (for residential and commerical), and how they can be financed through both current federal/state incentives and loans. Thank you Artisan Electric for the informative talk on this important, renewable energy source.

Sustainability Meeting - Implementing Envision with the Help of LEED

Patrick Leonard, Director at Paladino and Company, gave an excellent presentation about how LEED came about and how it has developed into the successful and leading sustainability rating system it is today. Patrick also discussed using VitalSmarts Influencer Model and how having four or more of the six sources of influence is required to be successful. There's a great video that we watched showing how the Influencer Model works. <https://youtube.com/watch?v=osUwukXSd0k> We discussed how Envision could become more successful using VitalSmarts Influencer model and taking some ideas that has really helped LEED grow. Two significant events for LEED was by adapting the rating system for existing buildings and having municipalities adopt LEED

ASCE International Conference for Sustainable Infrastructure 2014

This was ASCE's first conference of its kind that is completely focused on Sustainability at a global level in Long Beach, California from November 6-8. It was well represented and participated from our sustainability committee. Tony Nguyen, Communications Chair, received a scholarship from the Sustainability Committee to attend, Evan Sheesley, past Vice Chair, presented two posters and Amanda Schweickert, Chair, moderated at the conference.

The first day of the conference, we were welcomed to high-level speakers in the Opening Plenary Session. It started with the ASCE National President, Robert D. Stevens, expressing the importance of sustainability and how it has long been part of ASCE's philosophy. We move on to Al Moro, Senior Executive Lead, of the Port of Long Beach and how they have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in green infrastructure ranging from allowing berthed ships to use their electric infrastructure while unloading as oppose to idling the ship to alternative fuel fleet vehicles all because of their 2005 Green Port Policy. James Close, World Bank Climate Group Director for Policy and Finance, discusses the financial side of sustainability and how the world bank invests in sustainability. Joanne Mahoney, Onadago County Executive in New York, decimates the county's "Save the Rain” program which is a comprehensive storm water management plan that received national attention. The session ended with Reg Andres, President of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, and he discusses the State of Practice in Canada and the difficulties that are faced with sustainable actions in Canada. At the Luncheon, we are welcomed by Caitlin Durkovish, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection for the Department of Homeland Security, and she discusses the importance of sustainable structures that are resilient through natural disasters. There were half a dozen technical sessions next that will be described more next in Friday's conference review!

Friday consisted with many more technical sessions. An attendee would see about 12 presentations that day (out of over 50 presentations to choose from!) so was packed with a lot of information ranging from “Sustainable Pedestrian Bridge Design: A Discussion of the Envision™ Rating System", to "Coming to Grips with Project-Level NEPA as a Barrier to Sustainability, and Ideas for the Future" and "Means and Methods for Making the Business Case for Infrastructure Projects in Support of a Sustainable Society." The most fun part for all of us was the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor Tour on a large boat with food! It was breathtaking to see how expansive the Port of Long Beach, the technical innovations they have, crossing the beautiful bridges there such as the Gerald Desmond Bridge, and was a very nice climax to the conference to reflect on the immense impact our profession does on the world.

Saturday was another half dozen technical sessions and the Closing Session Luncheon. Randy Fiorini, Chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, discusses California issues with the Delta and the low drinking water capacity with the current drought they have been having. Robert Stevens, ASCE President, closes and handed the torch to Beijing, China for the 2016 conference!

After the jam-packed weekend, we participated a full-attended (a waitlist was even made) for the Sustainability Leadership Workshop. The majority of the workshop dealt with situational skits about the interactions between public agencies and consultants about sustainability. The workshop was well received, and helps continue the sustainability conversation throughout the community.

Overall, it was an excellent conference. What impressed us the most is there were so many high-caliber technical sessions that there was something for everyone, literally. Of course, being with everyone that has the same level of enthusiasm we have to create a sustainable future created a great environment. To see what each person is doing in different parts of the nation, and the world, was very inspiring.

UW Sustainable Remediation Presentation

On Thursday, May 16, 2013 the University of Washington ASCE Student Chapter hosted a Lunch and Learn on the topic of Sustainable Remediation. Mr. Nicholas Garson (President of Sustainable Remediation Forum and Project Manager at Boeing) and Ms. Diana Hasegan (Environmental Engineer with LANGAN) introduced the students to the concepts of environmental remediation (cleanup of contaminated sites) and discussed the newest approaches to make cleanups sustainable. This event was made possible through the close collaboration between the student chapter at University of Washington, the Younger.

Joint Dinner Meeting with ASCE Seattle and Tacoma-Olympia Sections

On December 12, 2012 we hosted a joint dinner meeting with the Seattle and Tacoma-Olympia ASCE sections. Fran Eide, PE, with the City of Olympia, gave a presentation on the new Envision rating system for sustainable infrastructure. Fran helped develop the first version of the Envision rating system and developed training modules for the current version.