News

This year’s Legislative Fly-In brought 11 participants to Juneau from February 24-26 for three days of productive meetings. Attendees engaged with the DOT&PF commissioner’s office, the Governor’s office, and 34 legislators, advocating for key issues including the STIP, education funding, the capital and operating budget, residential building codes, and AELS sunset/registration for interior designers. The STIP approval process, education funding, and the budget deficit were top concerns for legislators this year. Encouragingly, APDC’s positions received broad support, with minimal opposition. The event fostered meaningful discussions, and we remain optimistic about positive outcomes and progress in the coming months.

A highlight of the event was the release of ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for Alaska’s Infrastructure, held at the Capitol and livestreamed by KTOO. This is the culmination of work by ASCE Alaska-Section members, which featured comprehensive assessments highlighting some of the major issues, recommendations, and improvements since the release of 2021 Report Card. The 2025 Report Card is available at: infrastructurereportcard.org/Alaska.

We look forward to continued engagement and advocacy over the coming months as the legislative session progresses.

Lauren Jennings, CESCL joins R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as an Environmental Specialist in the firm’s Earth Sciences Department. In this position, Lauren will be responsible for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) impact analysis and document preparation, regulatory permitting, environmental field surveys (invasive species, wetlands, eagle nests, etc.), storm water management, and other related office and field-based environmental services as needed.

To read the full press release from R&M, click here.

The Alaska Chapter of ASLA will host their awards presentation at the Anchorage Museum’s Seed Lab on Thursday February 20, 2025 from 5-7pm, in conjunction with Anchorage Design Week’s “City Nerd Nite”. To learn more about this free event, and reserve your spot, click here. There will also be a livestream available on YouTube after the event, for those unable to attend in person.

To learn more about the Anchorage Design Week Events lineup, click here.

The Fairbanks Chapter will continue the annual Engineers Week Banquet tradition on Saturday, February 22. This year, the chapter will recognize the significant contribution of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) to Alaska by celebrating the 50th anniversary of construction, which commenced on March 27, 1975. Phil Wight, assistant professor of History, Arctic & Northern Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, will offer the keynote presentation – The Hidden Histories of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. He will explore some of the fascinating but obscure stories behind one of the world’s largest pipelines.

ASPE will also recognize outstanding engineers with the annual Engineer of the Year awards (nomination forms are out now) and award two scholarships – the Haneman Travel Award and the AEEF Scholarship – during the awards presentations.

Fairbanks E-Week Banquet

When: Feb 22, 2025; 5:30 – 8:30 PM (Dinner starts at 6:30)

Where: Pike’s Waterfront Lodge

Guest Speaker: Phil Wight, Assistant Professor of History, Arctic & Northern Studies at UAF

Keynote Topic: “The Hidden Histories of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline” – Exploring the obscure stories behind one of the world’s largest pipelines.

For more information: Please contact samuel@designalaska.com

The Alaska MATHCOUNTS program is essential to showing middle school students the beauty of mathematics and preparing them to pursue engineering degrees and STEM careers. The MATHCOUNTS program is fueled by volunteers and is a great way for members of the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers to engage with youth at the local, state, and national levels. Please consider volunteering by serving as a coach or assisting with an upcoming activity or event.

We are also requesting both individual and engineering company contributions to help support the 2024-2025 program season, particularly the State Competition in Anchorage, scheduled for March 8, 2025. Please take this request to heart! Donations can be made online.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to Clark Milne, the MATHCOUNTS Alaska state coordinator, at Milne@mosquitonet.com or 907-322-8887.