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ASCE 2nd Edition Body of Knowledge Released

Next fall's class of civil engineering freshmen will witness historic changes in education and licensure during their careers.

Guided by the Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge for the 21st Century, changes already underway in accreditation, curricula and licensure will better prepare them to be leaders and innovators.

ASCE has released the second edition of the Body of Knowledge. In this new report, many of the original concepts and ideas have been clarified and sharpened, and their implementation will lead to the revision of current undergraduate and post-undergraduate education.

Learn more about the Body of Knowledge.

ASCE National Assigns Grade of D to Nation's Infrastructure; New 'Report Card' Says $2.2 Trillion in Repairs Needed

Because decades of underfunding and

in attention have endangered our nation's infrastructure, $2.2 trillion in repairs and upgrades is needed over the next five years to meet adequate conditions. That's the conclusion of ASCE's new 2009 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, which assigns an overall grade of D to the nation as well as individual grades in 15 infrastructure categories. Since ASCE's last assessment in 2005, there has been little change in the condition of America's roads, bridges, drinking water systems, and other public works. With the nation's infrastructure receiving renewed attention from the White House, Congress, and the public as a vital part of an economic stimulus package, the Report Card offers informed guidance from professional engineers on where funds would best be spent.

Your voice is still needed in Congress — now more than ever! As the Senate and House work to iron out the differences between each chamber's economic stimulus plans, let them know that the final package should contain more investment in infrastructure. Contact your legislators today via ASCE's online tool here.
Details of the new Report Card, including grades in the 15 categories, suggestions for solutions, and more, are available here.
Share your comments and track the progress of action in Washington in ASCE's blog, Our Failing Infrastructure.
ASCE has issued a series of Principles for Infrastructure Stimulus Investment to guide Congress and the White House in developing an effective economic recovery package. Read the criteria here.
ASCE President Wayne Klotz discusses the Report Card findings in a video interview with Environment & Energy's E&ETV; watch it here. Klotz also explains why more infrastructure funding in the economic recovery package would make it a stronger stimulus. Read his op-ed piece in the Houston Chronicle here.

Philadelphia Section 2009 Awards Program Nominations Now Closed

The nominations for 2009 for the Philadelphia section 2009 awards are now closed.

Update On Professional Development Requirements In Pennsylvania

As you may be aware (and as previously reported in THE NEWS), professional engineers, land surveyors and geologists in Pennsylvania will be required to obtain continued professional development (CPD) to renew their licenses, as stipulated in legislation signed by Governor Rendell in November 2006 (Senate Bill 655).

Don’t stop reading just yet, however ,the State

Board has not developed the requisite regulations

and mechanism to implement this and approve

acceptable coursework, so the CPD requirement

will likely not be in place for your next license

renewal (October 2009) as planned.

Additionally, another bill was introduced into

the Legislature last February (Senate Bill 1264) on

this subject. SB 1264 would have slightly different

requirements and is more in line with those of

neighboring states and the National Council of

Examiners for Engineering and Surveying

(NCEES) than SB 655 is, and it is more liberal in

the allowance of what may be counted as CPD.

SB 1264 was referred to committee but no action

was taken, and consequently, it expired at the end

of the 2008 legislative session.