COMMITTEES

Committees, like the Technical Groups generate the society's programs and opportunities for professional development of civil engineers as well as helping the internal components of the Section run smoothly. The Committees conduct meetings and conference calls to facilitate the necessary activities.

Sustainability Committee

Welcome to the Illinois Section’s Sustainability Committee Webpage!

How did this committee come to be?

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and American Public Works Association (APWA) recognized the need for sustainable design and developed an action plan http://www.asce.org/Sustainability/ASCE-and-Sustainability/Sustainability-Action-Plan/ that underscored the following:

“A more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable natural and built environment is essential and achievable. This need and opportunity underscores civil engineers’ evolving role as policy leaders, environmental stewards, and life-cycle planners. At this time, civil engineers are not perceived to be significant contributors to a sustainable world.”

In response, the Illinois Section of ASCE, established its own sustainability committee in the Spring of 2010 to promote ASCE Nationals’ Sustainability Program to the local membership and other key regional stake-holders. The committee is comprised of 21 (18 Illinois Section Members and 3 Liaison ACEC and APWA Members) who are professionals that hail from the various civil engineering fields, including academia.

We hope that this website gives you some insight on the ASCE’s sustainability initiative and an interface to keep up with local sustainability issues and events.

Committee Goals

Public education and outreach.
Educate Section members and other stakeholders about ASCE’s sustainability initiative.
Work with local partners APWA and ACEC in developing and promoting Envision™.
Collaborate with other sustainability programs to cultivate an understanding of regional culture and developments regarding sustainability.

What’s HOT Now!

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) is pleased to announce, for public comment, the availability of Stages One and Two of Envision™, Version 1.0, a sustainability rating system for civil infrastructure, at www.sustainableinfrastructure.org. Envision™, Version 1.0 is an initial offering designed to encourage critical comments and improvements to a draft rating tool developed by the APWA, ACEC and ASCE. Envision™ is under development and the comment period is intended to engage the user community in that development. The goal is to produce a sustainability rating system with widespread applicability to all civil infrastructure. Sign in to www.sustainableinfrastructure.org and comment freely and in detail. All comments and suggestions will remain confidential.
Photo Contest! Submit your photos of sustainable projects to Thera.A.Baldauf < at > us.mwhglobal.com (Subject: Photo Contest) by October 28, 2011 for a chance to win a free attendance to our next great seminar! Winner’s photo will added to this website and the winner will be notified via email.

Subcommittees and Contacts

If you would like to contact the committee, please email us at ilsectiongoessustainable@gmail.com

Committee Chair – Thera Baldauf, MWH
Awards – Darren Olson, Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.
Collaboration - Gary Paradoski, Applied Ecological Services, Inc.
Education/Outreach – Maureen Egen, Cowhey Gudmundson Leder, Ltd.
Programs – John Lazzara, HDR, Inc.

Sustainable Programs

June 20, 2012 - 2nd Annual Sustainability Workshop highlighting changes to the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure's rating system (EnvISIon) and a panel discussion on sustainable practices with representatives from federal/state/local agencies and interest groups. (Click here for more information)