Latest News

California PEs Named Top FEYA Finalists

Date: February 23, 2024

NSPE recently announced the top 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award. The award winner will be announced during a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on February 23. Sponsored by the Professional Engineers in Government, this award honors engineers employed by a federal agency that employs at least 50 engineers worldwide.

Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Dahms, P.E.
US Department of the Navy
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)
China Lake, California

Maj. Christopher Wittman, P.E.
US Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

Learn more about the FEYA finalists.


Registration Open: San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Tour

Date: February 23, 2024


NSPE-CA has set up a 1.5 mile group walking tour of the decommissioning San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station on Saturday, March 9, 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Learn more about the decommissioning of the station.

Due to security requirements, the registration deadline is Friday, February 23, at 11:30 p.m. Register now!

Save the Dates for 2024 Events

April 5
(10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Tour of The Geysers
Middletown, California

May 9
(10:00 a.m.)
Tour of US Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model
A scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento River Delta
Sausalito, California

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next session will take place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on February 27, and March 19. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


Upcoming NSPE-CA BOD Meetings

Date: February 23, 2024

All NSPE-CA members are invited to attend the board of directors meetings. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive login information.

Via Zoom
April 19, 2024 — 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In Pasadena
(Zoom option)
July 13, 2024 — 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Public Service Opportunity

Date: February 23, 2024

The Sac Metro Air District has a public service opportunity for a professional engineer on its Hearing Board. The Sac Metro Air District is a local public agency designated by the California legislature to develop, implement, monitor, and enforce local air pollution control rules, regulations, and strategies. Its mission is to achieve state and federal clean air and climate goals.

The Professional Engineer vacancy on the five-member Hearing Board is open until filled. The Hearing Board serves an important role in protecting air quality and providing relief, where appropriate, to businesses and other entities that may experience temporary difficulty in meeting regulatory requirements. The board also issues abatement orders to bring recalcitrant entities into compliance with applicable air quality regulations. The board meets 2-3 times per year.

Serving on the Hearing Board offers a unique opportunity to cultivate expertise in the application of professional knowledge and skills within the public sector. Members serve a term of three (3) years and may be re-appointed. This is a volunteer position with no salary. Members receive a $75 stipend per meeting day.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email Virginia Muller, clerk of the Hearing Board, at VMuller@airquality.org or (279) 207-1138.


NCEES Seeks Structural Engineering Expertise

Date: February 23, 2024

NCEES is in the process of assembling panels of licensed structural engineers and licensed professional engineers to participate in a series of two-day meetings to determine the cut score, or establish the pass point, for the 2024 Principles and Practice of Structural Engineering exam. This process requires a cross-section of engineers from various employment positions and technical specialties. NCEES asks that you consider volunteering to assist with this important work. Access more information here.


Survey on Continuing Education Requirement

Date: February 23, 2024

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) is exploring the requirement for Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) through Professional Development Hours (PDHs) at the time of the biennial renewal. CPC will focus on the advancement, extension, and improvement of the technical aspects and professional skills of the licensee and on the enhancement of professional ethics. Your feedback through a survey is welcome and important. This survey is available until March 1, and should not take more than 5-10 minutes of your time. Access the survey.


Energy Commission Approves $1.9 Billion to Expand Zero-Emission Transportation Infrastructure

Date: February 23, 2024

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved a $1.9 billion investment plan that accelerates progress on the state's electric vehicle (EV) charging and hydrogen refueling goals. These investments will help deploy infrastructure for light, medium, and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) across California, creating the most extensive charging and hydrogen refueling network in the country.

The plan details how the CEC's Clean Transportation Program will spend $1.9 billion in state funding over the next four years, with at least 50% targeted to benefit priority populations. The funding is part of the $48 billion dollar California Climate Commitment, which includes more than $10 billion for ZEVs and ZEV infrastructure. The state has also received billions from the Biden-Harris Administration for clean transportation.

The funds approved today will result in 40,000 new chargers statewide. Nearly 94,000 public and shared private chargers are installed today. Combined with previous investment plans, funding from the federal government, utilities and other programs, the state expects to reach 250,000 chargers in the next few years. This is in addition to private installations and home chargers.

"We need to make sure that this is zero emission refueling infrastructure for everybody," said CEC's Lead Commissioner for Transportation Patty Monahan. "By investing a bulk of funds to benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities, the state is making sure communities most in need have better access to chargers and less pollution from trucks and buses." Read more.


California Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Repeal NEM 3.0

Date: February 23, 2024

A California lawmaker has introduced a bill to repeal damaging energy policies that have curtailed the state’s solar industry, Solar Builder reports.

Assembly member Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) has introduced new legislation to reduce fees and taxes on residential solar projects and restore incentives to Californians who are helping to generate clean energy for our grid.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) implemented changes in late 2022 called Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0, which cut the incentives that utilities were required to pay homeowners with new solar panels when they sold surplus power to the grid.

These incentives were cut by approximately 75%, plummeting demand for solar adoption throughout the state. According to state data demand for solar installations declined by 90% since 2022. In addition to the projected loss of 17,000 jobs, NEM 3.0 has also jeopardized California’s ability to meet its ambitious clean energy goals. Solar power has long been identified as a key tool in meeting the state's requirement to switch to 90% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and 100% by 2045. Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Director of Engineering
Rialto, CA

Mechanical and Electrical Facility Engineers
Edwards, CA

Civil Engineering|Project Manager
San Leandro, CA


Upcoming Webinar: Engineering, Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Date: January 19, 2024

Jan 2024 Event

Please join NSPE-CA on Thursday, January 25 (noon to 1:00 p.m.), for a free webinar on ethics and dispute resolution featuring Rebecca Bowman, Esq., P.E., the senior director for ethics and professional practice for NSPE. During the webinar, she will discuss the structures of dispute resolution; review different roles that engineers can play; refer to the NSPE Code of Ethics; and analyze Board of Ethical Review cases. Reserve your spot today!


NSPE-CA Event Recap: Tour of the Sierra Nevada Brewery

Date: January 19, 2024

Members of NSPE-CA and guests received an engineering-specific tour of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Chico location in December. The tour was led by Bailey Smith, P.E., a staff member at Sierra Nevada. She fielded wide-ranging questions, and discussion included wastewater treatment, solar system maintenance, and heat and CO2 recovery. A no-host lunch followed at the adjacent restaurant and brewpub, where members were able to get to know each other better during casual conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Several facility tours are planned for 2024. Please join us!

Sierra Nevada Brewery

Group Photo

From left, Bailey Smith of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Mike Ozatalar, Andrew Johnson, Harold Hartman, Judith Blades, Jodie Ozatalar, Chuck Baldwin, Corey Hartwig, Jeanne Marie Tokunaga. Also shown, brewery mascot Bigfoot.

Access more event photos.

Save the Dates for 2024 Events
February 19
San Diego Engineers Week Awards Banquet
Learn More.
*To learn how to purchase tickets, contact NSPE-CA Treasurer Ken Discenza at (916) 540-7462 or send him an email.

February 22
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

March 9
(8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Tour of San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station

April 5
(10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Tour of The Geysers
Middletown, California

May 9
(10:00 a.m.)
Tour of US Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model
A scale model of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento River Delta
Sausalito, California

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next session will take place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on January 30, February 27, and March 19. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


Upcoming NSPE-CA BOD Meetings

Date: January 19, 2024

All NSPE-CA members are invited to attend the board of directors meetings. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive login information.

Via Zoom
January 19  — 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
April 19  — 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

In Pasadena
(Zoom option)
July 13 — 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.


State Licensing Board News

Date: January 19, 2024

"California for All" Survey
The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG), in support of the Governor's Executive Order (N-16-22) strengthening the commitment to a "California for All," asks you to please take a brief survey. The responses are anonymous and will be open until January 31. The Department of Consumer Affairs' SOLID Planning Unit will add your feedback to the analysis to help the Board supplement its strategic plan.

Survey on Requiring Continuing Education
The BPELSG is exploring the requirement for Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) through Professional Development Hours (PDHs) at the time of the biennial renewal. CPC will focus on the advancement, extension, and improvement of the technical aspects and professional skills of the licensee and on the enhancement of professional ethics. Your feedback through a survey is welcome and important. This survey is available until March 1, and should not take more than 5-10 minutes of your time. Access the survey.

Sunset Review Report
The BPELSG 2023-24 Sunset Review Report has been submitted to the California State Legislature and is now available on the board's website.


New Website Showcases Investments in California Infrastructure

Date: January 19, 2024

Governor Gavin Newsom's Administration recently launched Build.ca.gov to highlight once-in-a-generation investments in California infrastructure that will benefit communities around the state. The new website outlines how state and federal infrastructure investments – $180 billion expected over the next 10 years – are tackling some of California's toughest challenges, including climate change, equity, and jobs. Build.ca.gov is tracking where money is going while showcasing individual projects and what they mean for the communities they're in.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Deputy City Engineer
Madera, CA

Engineer/Capital Projects Manager
Pismo Beach, CA

Senior Transportation Engineer
Ventura, CA


SF’s Downtown Rail Extension

On October 26, 2023, NSPE-California and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority hosted a one-hour virtual information session on The Portal, also known as the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX).

The Portal is a transformational infrastructure investment that will extend Caltrain commuter rail from its current terminus at Fourth and King streets and ultimately deliver the California High-Speed Rail Authority's statewide service to the multimodal Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco.

Download the Presentation in PDF


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: December 20, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

December 2023
David Cotton, P.E., Redding

November 2023
Omar Radwan, EIT, electrical and computer engineering, Austin, Texas


State Licensing Board News

Date: December 20, 2023

Get the latest information about activities of the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists in the Fall 2023 Board Bulletin.

NCEES Seeks Electrical and Computer Engineer Expertise
NCEES is seeking electrical and computer engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study (PAKS) for the PE Electrical and Computer Engineering exams. The results of this online survey will be used to update the content of the PE exams. NCEES requires a cross section of licensed professional engineers practicing electrical and computer engineering, including those working in industry, consulting, the public sector, and academia. The survey will be open until January 11, 2024.


Upcoming NSPE-CA BOD Meetings

Date: December 20, 2023

All NSPE-CA members are invited to attend the board of directors meetings. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive login information.

Via Zoom
January 19, 2024 — 3–5 p.m.
April 19, 2024 — 3–5 p.m.

In Pasadena
(Zoom option)
July 13, 2024 — 2–5 p.m.


Save the Dates for 2024 Events

Date: December 20, 2023

TBD January 2024
(Noon -1:00 p.m.)
Ethics Issues (Zoom)

February 19, 2024
San Diego Engineers Week Awards Banquet
Learn More.
*To learn how to purchase tickets, contact NSPE-CA Treasurer Ken Discenza at (916) 540-7462 or send him an email.

February 22, 2024
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

April 5, 2024
(10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
Tour of The Geysers
Middletown, California

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next session will take place from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on January 9 and January 30. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


CA Transportation Commission Awards $300M+ for Climate Change Projects

Date: December 20, 2023

The California Transportation Commission (Commission) recently awarded more than $300 million to 15 projects across California that will make the state's transportation system more resilient to the impacts of climate change while also encouraging more walking and biking and enhancing public health.

The investments made by the Commission total $309.2 million and will help fund projects with a total cost of more than $1.1 billion in climate-vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. Projects funded through the program will make surface transportation infrastructure more resilient to sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural hazards exacerbated by the changing climate.

"Communities across California are experiencing the impacts of climate change," said Commission Chair Lee Ann Eager. "The extreme storms, flooding, and devastating wildfires we see year after year have become the norm, and we must invest in our transportation infrastructure today to avoid costly repairs and preserve access and mobility options for Californians in the future." Read more.


Governor Backs New Pipeline to Increase California Water Supply

Date: December 20, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to the Delta Conveyance Project, which would create a new pipeline to the state aqueduct system to draw water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta during rainy periods, The Center Square reports. If the system had existed during the rainy season of January 2023, the Department of Water Resources estimates it could have supplied an additional 228,000 acre-feet of water, or enough water to supply over 2.3 million Californians with water for one year.

"After the three driest years on record, we didn't have the infrastructure to fully take advantage of an exceptionally wet year, which will become more and more critical as our weather whiplashes between extremes," Newsom said in a public statement. "This proposed project is essential to updating our water system for millions of Californians."

Among the state's water challenges is a projection that state water supplies will decline by 10% by 2040. Despite the estimated cost of $16 billion, the project is considered by DWR as a way to readily make use of the "state's most affordable and reliable source of water." Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Senior Electrical Engineer
Sacramento, CA

City Traffic Engineer
Santa Monica, CA

Engineers/Capital Projects Manager
Pismo Beach, CA


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: November 16, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

October 2023
Daniel Rojas Estevez, EIT, civil engineer, San Diego
Christopher Wittman, P.E., Commander, Operations Flight, USAF, Lompoc


State Licensing Board Seeks Traffic Engineering Expertise

Date: November 16, 2023

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists seeks the expertise of professional engineers as it relates to the practice of traffic engineering with respect to today's workplace. The results of a questionnaire will assist the board with the development of the Traffic Engineer exam for the purpose of issuing a traffic engineer license. Click here to access the survey and participate before the December 10 deadline.


The Portal (Downtown Rail Extension) Presentation and Opportunities

Date: November 16, 2023

NSPE-California and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority recently held a virtual information session on The Portal, also known as the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX). Access a PDF of the presentation here.

The Portal is a transformational infrastructure investment that will extend Caltrain commuter rail from its current terminus at Fourth and King streets and ultimately deliver the California High-Speed Rail Authority's statewide service to the multimodal Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco. Please visit TJPA.org for additional information about The Portal's upcoming contract opportunities, and register to receive alerts. If you are interested in contract opportunities, register here.

More Upcoming Events!

November 30, 2023
(Noon-1:00 p.m.)
BPELSG License Enforcement Issues (Zoom)
Register Now!

December 8, 2023
(10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour - Chico, California
Register Now!

TBD January 2024
(Noon -1:00 p.m.)
Ethics Issues (Zoom)

February 19, 2024
San Diego Engineers Week Awards Banquet
Learn More.

February 22, 2024
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next session will take place from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on December 5. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


There's No Drought Anywhere in California
How long that's expected to last, and why.

Date: November 16, 2023

Less than a year after facing historic water shortages, California this week was declared drought-free thanks to a year of epic rains, with an El Niño forecast that could keep wet conditions going into 2024, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The US Drought monitor's latest data show the vast majority of California reporting no drought as of October 17, though pockets in the northernmost and southeastern parts of the state are still considered abnormally dry.

"For the most part, California had been drought-free" for weeks, but "a little smidgen" remained, said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist at the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska.

A smidgen, indeed: On October 10, only 0.7% of the state was in drought. And that area — a slim portion of Del Norte County in the upper left-hand corner of the state — had been getting consistently less dry since mid-September.

Just a year ago, 99.8% of California was in some level of drought, and 43% of the state was in extreme or exceptional drought, the two most serious levels. California hasn't been completely drought-free since two fleeting periods in 2019 and 2020, which were preceded and followed by prolonged dry spells. Read more.


California Sees Unprecedented Growth in Energy Storage

Date: November 16, 2023

New data show California is surging forward with the buildout of battery energy storage systems with more than 6,600 megawatts (MW) online, enough electricity to power 6.6 million homes for up to four hours. The total resource is up from 770 MW four years ago and double the amount installed just two years ago, according to a California Energy Commission (CEC) news release.

Details of the energy storage fleet, a key component in the state's transition to 100% clean energy by 2045, are now available in a new online dashboard unveiled by the CEC. The dashboard presents statewide information for the first time and features data on more than 122,000 residential, commercial, and utility-scale battery installations. CEC staff is tracking another 1,900 MW of energy storage projects expected to be online by the end of the year for a total of 8,500 MW. This dashboard presents statewide data for the first time including residential, commercial and utility-scale installations.


NSPE Career Center

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Director of Public Works/Road Commissioner
Auburn, CA

Senior Electrical Engineer - Hetch Hetchy Water & Power
Moccasin/Oakdale, CA

Electric Program Manager
Santa Clara, CA


Registration Open: The Portal Presentation (Zoom) – Thursday, October 26

Date: October 19, 2023

Join NSPE-California and the Transbay Joint Powers Authority for a one-hour virtual information session on The Portal, also known as the Downtown Rail Extension (DTX). Attendees will learn more about the Portal and hear about upcoming procurements.

The Portal is a transformational infrastructure investment that will extend Caltrain commuter rail from its current terminus at Fourth and King streets and ultimately deliver the California High-Speed Rail Authority's statewide service to the multimodal Salesforce Transit Center in downtown San Francisco. Register Now!

Registration Coming Soon for Upcoming Events!

November 30, 2023
(Noon-1:00 p.m.)
BPELSG License Enforcement Issues (Zoom)

December 8, 2023
(10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour - Chico, California

TBD January 2024
(Noon -1:00 p.m.)
Ethics Issues (Zoom)

February 19, 2024
San Diego Engineers Week Awards Banquet

February 22, 2024
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next sessions will take place from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on November 7 and December 5. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: October 19, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

October 2023
Christopher Wittman, P.E.
, Commander, Operations Flight, USAF, Lompoc

September 2023
Charles Burt, P.E., professor emeritus of irrigation, San Luis Obispo
Jakob Erdmann, EIT, civil engineer, Erdmann Services LLC, Windsor, Missouri
Ryan Johnson, P.E., energy engineer at SitelogIQ, Rancho Cordova


NSPE-CA Board of Directors Meeting

All NSPE-CA members are invited to attend board meetings. The next meeting will take place on Friday, November 3 (3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information. Save the dates for future meetings in 2024: January 19 (virtual), April 19 (virtual), and July 13 (in-person in Pasadena with a virtual option).


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: October 19, 2023

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting November 16-17 at the Carpinteria Sanitary District (Boardroom 5300 Sixth Street Carpinteria, CA 93013). Access meeting information here.


California Selected as a National Hydrogen Hub

Date: October 19, 2023

California will receive up to $1.2 billion from the US Department of Energy to accelerate the development and deployment of clean renewable hydrogen, critical to cutting pollution, and expanding the clean energy economy statewide.

California will use the funds to build or expand hydrogen projects that will power public transportation, heavy-duty trucks, port operations, and more. The funds will allow the state to ramp up its leadership in clean energy technology to produce hydrogen exclusively from renewable energy and biomass. Read more.


Zero-Emission, Hydrogen Passenger Trains Coming to California

Date: October 19, 2023

Caltrans has signed an $80 million contract with Stadler Rail, Inc. to deliver the first zero-emission, hydrogen intercity passenger trains in North America, furthering California's standing as a world leader in clean transportation.

The vehicles will be based on Stadler's Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train concept, extending work done with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority to develop self-powered multiple-unit trains using zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells without the need of a separate locomotive. The purchase is funded through a $10 billion, multiyear zero-emission vehicle package, which included $407 million for the California State Transportation Agency to demonstrate and purchase or lease state-of-the-art clean bus and rail equipment and infrastructure.

The contract includes a base order of $80 million for the first four trainsets with options for up to 25 additional trainsets that can be used throughout California. The base order is expected to primarily operate between Merced and Sacramento on the expanded San Joaquin and Altamont Corridor Express Valley Rail services that will also connect with the early high-speed rail service between Merced and Bakersfield. Read more.


Explore Career Opportunities

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Deputy City Engineer
Madera, CA

Principal Civil Engineer
Jurupa Valley, CA

Deputy Director of Public Works
(Wastewater Treatment Plant)
Pacifica, CA


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: September 25, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

September 2023
Charles Burt, P.E., professor emeritus of irrigation, San Luis Obispo
Ryan Johnson, P.E., energy engineer at SitelogIQ, Rancho Cordova

August 2023
Peter Lloyd, laboratory engineer, Berkeley Engineering and Research, Berkeley
Rus Pangilinan, of Northrop Grumman, San Diego
Joseph Garcia, recent graduate, mechanical engineering, UC Irvine


State Licensing Board News and Activities

Date: September 25, 2023

Governor Seeks to Fill Board Vacancy
The Governor's Office is currently accepting applications for the vacant mechanical engineer seat on the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Interested individuals can visit the governor's appointments webpage for more information on how to submit an application for consideration.

WANTED: Expert Consultants for Review of Enforcement Cases
The board is seeking licensed independent expert consultants to help protect the public by reviewing enforcement cases. For more information visit the technical experts recruitment page.

Upcoming Meeting
The board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 3.

Examinations
Effective January 1, 2024, the state-specific Civil Engineer exams, Engineering Surveying (CES) and Seismic Principles (CSP), will be implementing a new test plan. Both the new and the current test plans are available on the board website.


$300 Million to Prepare State's Groundwater Infrastructure for Climate Change

Date: September 25, 2023

California will spend about $300 million to prepare a vast groundwater and farming infrastructure system for the growing impacts of climate change, Courthouse News Service reports.
California Department of Water Resources recently announced that it has awarded $187 million to 32 groundwater sub-basins, which store water for future use that mainly flows from valuable snowmelt, through the Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program.

Governor Gavin Newsom also announced that California's Department of Food and Agriculture will award more than $106 million in grants to 23 organizations, which will design and implement new carbon sequestration and irrigation efficiency projects.

The funding will support 103 projects to enhance groundwater monitoring and recharge, water use efficiency, recycled water capacity and water quality improvement to support local sustainable groundwater management. More than $160 million will directly benefit tribes and underrepresented communities, the state promised.

The state is still recovering from years of historic drought. Despite a record-breaking winter of unprecedented storms and snow, state experts say many of California's 515 groundwater basins have a long way to go to replenish what has been lost due to years of overpumping. Many communities rely on groundwater basins for water, particularly during periods of drought when surface water is severely depleted. Read more.


California Legislature Passes Slate of Energy, Environment Bills

Date: September 25, 2023

At midnight on Thursday, September 14, California lawmakers put their pencils down. The legislative session had come to a close in Sacramento, and elected officials had approved a whole bunch of climate change, energy, and environment bills — and rejected others. The Los Angeles Times offers up a brief roundup of some of the highest-profile legislation that will head to Governor Newsom's desk for signature or veto by October 14.


Join NSPE-CA for Upcoming Events

Date: September 25, 2023

Registration Coming Soon!

October 26, 2023
(Noon – 1:00 p.m.)
Transbay Joint Powers Authority (Zoom)
Updates on Downtown Rail Extension/The Portal

November 30, 2023
(Noon-1:00 p.m.)
BPELSG License Enforcement Issues (Zoom)

December 8, 2023
(10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour - Chico, California

TBD January 2024
(Noon -1:00 p.m.)
Ethics Issues (Zoom)

February 19, 2024
San Diego Engineers Week Awards Banquet

February 22, 2024
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

Events Task Force Meetings
All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in events planning sessions as their schedules allow. The next sessions will take place from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on October 10, November 7, and December 5. Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive the Zoom login information.


Career Center


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director/Town Engineer
Woodside, CA

Generation Services Engineer
Roseville, CA

Civil Engineer
San Rafael, CA


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: August 18, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

August 2023
Peter Lloyd, laboratory engineer, Berkeley Engineering and Research, Berkeley
Rus Pangilinan, of Northrop Grumman, San Diego
Joseph Garcia, recent graduate, mechanical engineering, UC Irvine

July 2023
Mike Huerta, P.E., of Innovative Mechanical Design, Visalia
John H. Hofman, P.E., of Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Chino Hills
Todd Kelly, P.E., of the California Department of Transportation, Redding

Share the Benefits of NSPE-CA Membership
NSPE/NSPE-CA is multidisciplinary engineering society that supports engineers in their service to the public. We are the right engineering society for you if:

You care about licensure — NSPE — more so than any other professional society — is laser focused on promoting and defending the licensure of professional engineers. NSPE tracks and defends against threats to professional licensure throughout the country. Learn more.

You care about ethics — NSPE prides itself on promoting and teaching professional ethics. A number of resources on professional ethics are available to help engineers gain a sound understanding in ethics before and when they face a challenge. Learn more.

You want to advance your career — NSPE provides the opportunity to gain leadership experience and education that can benefit your career advancement, through our annual conference NSPECon, online education, and volunteering with NSPE-CA. Learn more about education. Inquire about leadership opportunities at admin@nspe-ca.org.

You want to get to know your community — NSPE-CA holds in-person and online events where you can meet other engineers and tour some of California's great engineering-related facilities. Learn more.


Events Task Force Planning Activities

Date: August 18, 2023

All NSPE-CA members are invited to participate in Events Task Force planning sessions as their schedules allow. These next sessions will take place on Tuesday, August 29, and Tuesday, September 19 (4:00 p.m. -  5:00 p.m.).

Email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org to receive login information.


Join NSPE-CA for Upcoming Events

Date: August 18, 2023

CA Connect Community Banner

NSPE-California members are invited to a tour of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Pure Water Demonstration Plant on Saturday, September 23 (10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.) in Carson, California. This tour led by professional engineers will provide an overview of the facility and its innovative purification process. Learn more and register here.

Upcoming Events – Registration Coming Soon!

October 26, 2023
Transbay Joint Powers Authority
Updates on Downtown Rail Extension/The Portal

November 30, 2023
(Noon-1:00 p.m.)
BPELSG License Enforcement Issues (Zoom)

December 8, 2023
(10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tour - Chico, California

TBD January 2024
(Noon -1:00 p.m.)
Ethics Issues (Zoom)

February 22, 2024
(Noon - 1:00 p.m.)
Careers with Caltrans (Zoom)

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home pageAccess photos from recent events.


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: August 18, 2023

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting September 21-22. Access meeting information here.

Board News
The latest issue of the Board Bulletin is available. Access the publication here.


California Races to Prevent More Flooding with Levee Repairs

Date: August 18, 2023

As forecasters sound the alarm about another potentially wet California winter fueled by El Niño, Governor Gavin Newsom is taking urgent but controversial measures to prevent a repeat of the devastating floods that befell the state this year, the Los Angeles Times reports.

An executive order signed by the governor this month will streamline levee repairs and debris removal to help protect and prepare communities for another inundation. Last winter, dozens of levee breaches around the state sent stormwater rushing into communities — killing several people and causing considerable damage.

Restoring levees, river channels and other elements of the state’s aged flood infrastructure is crucial to public safety. But critics say Newsom's order also comes at the expense of several rules and regulations designed to protect the environment.

"Managing California water by executive order is bad business," said Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of Restore the Delta. "Whether it's drought or flood, we have to set proper science-based environmental standards and regulate according to those standards for the protection of people." Read more.


California Settles with SoCalGas Over Misleading Marketing

Date: August 18, 2023

California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently announced a settlement against Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) in connection with numerous unqualified environmental marketing claims the company made in 2019 that natural gas is "renewable." Such claims are misleading, according to a news release.

The vast majority of natural gas — including a vast majority of the gas distributed by SoCalGas — is not renewable, but rather is derived from fossil fuels. An investigation by the California Attorney General's office revealed that SoCalGas made the misleading statements in a wide range of mediums, such as print, electronic media, informative displays, backdrops, and promotional swag.

"SoCalGas is a large, sophisticated entity. While we appreciate its cooperation in our investigation, SoCalGas should have known better than to broadcast unqualified claims suggesting that all natural gas is 'renewable.' Truth in marketing matters, and it's required under state law," said Attorney General Bonta. "Today's settlement should send a clear message: The California Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable corporations that mislead or deceive consumers about the environmental attributes of a product."

Under the settlement — which resolves allegations that SoCalGas violated California's consumer protection laws, including the Unfair Competition Law and the False Advertising Law — SoCalGas will:

  • Be prohibited from making similar unqualified statements that natural gas is "renewable."
  • Pay $175,000 in penalties, 50% ($87,500) of which will be directed to the California Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Small Grants Program to fund a Supplemental Environmental Project focused on environmental justice.
  • Publish a corrective statement on its website within 14 days of the settlement's effective date.

Explore New Opportunities

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director
Novato, CA

City Engineer
Folsom, CA

Hydro Engineer
Dobbins, CA


NSPE-CA Expanding Activity

Date: July 20, 2023

NSPE-CA's new leadership team has begun expanding activity throughout the state.

NSPE's Leadership Team for 2023-2025
President Mike Ozatalar, P.E., manager of engineering at Parsons Corp.
Vice President Davis Flaten, P.E., program manager at the Cordoba Corporation
Treasurer Ken Discenza, P.E., owner and principal of Site Design Associates, Inc.
Immediate Past President Joseph Quinn, P.E., owner and principal of Materials FACT.
Events Task Force Chair Harold Hartman, P.E., a senior associate at Eco & Associates

Caltech Seismological Lab Tour and BOD Meeting
NSPE-CA members and leaders took a tour of the fascinating Caltech Seismological Lab this month as part of the society’s return to holding membership events in conjunction with its annual in-person Board of Directors meeting.

The Caltech Seismological Lab tour was held the afternoon of Friday, July 7, along with a membership dinner that evening. The annual in-person Board of Directors meeting and biennial installation luncheon was the following day. Members were invited to attend all activities.

Margaret Vinci, manager of the Office of Earthquake Programs, Communication, Education and Outreach, conducted the lab tour at Caltech. She expertly answered the many specific questions NSPE-CA members asked about the capabilities and process of the lab. Margaret is also the ShakeAlert SoCal Technical Engagement Regional Coordinator.

New NSPE President Bill Atkinson, P.E., attended the tour and joined NSPE-CA members and leaders for the membership dinner afterward at Celestino's in Pasadena. Bill was the installing officer for NSPE-CA's new leadership team during the membership luncheon and attended the board meeting held on the Parsons Corporation campus. Bill's insight was invaluable as the board starts working on plans to increase membership engagement and activity for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. His presence offered an ideal opportunity to strengthen the working relationship between NSPE and NSPE-CA in order to grow the Society.

NSPE-CA leadership invites members to help build a strong presence for NSPE in California. If you are interesting in helping, please contact President Mike Ozatalar at michael.ozatalar@parsons.com or Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org

Shown in the photo (from left) are NSPE President Bill Atkinson and NSPE-CA leaders Immediate Past President Joseph Quinn, President Mike Ozatalar, Vice President Davis Flaten, Treasurer Ken Discenza, and Events Task Force Chair Harold Hartman.

Immediate Past President Joseph Quinn (left) hands off a personalized ceremonial gavel to new NSPE-CA President Mike Ozatalar.

NSPE-CA members tour the Caltech Seismological Lab.


Events Task Force Planning Full Schedule of Member Activities

Date: July 20, 2023

The Events Task Force is working on a number of in-person and online member programs starting with a tour in September and is planning a full slate of engagement opportunities throughout California for the current fiscal year, which started July 1.

Plans already in place include a Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant Tour (led by professional engineers) and a Transbay Joint Power Authority update on the San Francisco Downtown Rail Extension.

As details are finalized and registration opens, events and links will be listed on the NSPE-CA home page.

All members are welcome to participate in the Events Task Force Zoom meetings as their schedules allow. Contact Harold Hartman at hvhartman@earthlink.net or Jeanne Marie Tokunaga, CAE, at admin@nspe-ca.org if you’d like to receive notices of the meeting dates.


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: July 20, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest professional members!

June
Garrett Hawthorne, P.E., civil engineer, Las Vegas
Isaac Viscarra, P.E., mechanical engineer, Hollister

Share the Benefits of NSPE-CA Membership
NSPE/NSPE-CA is multidisciplinary engineering society that supports engineers in their service to the public. We are the right engineering society for you if:

You care about licensure — NSPE — more so than any other professional society — is laser focused on promoting and defending the licensure of professional engineers. NSPE tracks and defends against threats to professional licensure throughout the country. Learn more.

You care about ethics — NSPE prides itself on promoting and teaching professional ethics. A number of resources on professional ethics are available to help engineers gain a sound understanding in ethics before and when they face a challenge. Learn more.

You want to advance your career — NSPE provides the opportunity to gain leadership experience and education that can benefit your career advancement, through our annual conference NSPECon, online education, and volunteering with NSPE-CA. Learn more about education. Inquire about leadership opportunities at admin@nspe-ca.org.

You want to get to know your community — NSPE-CA holds in-person and online events where you can meet other engineers and tour some of California’s great engineering-related facilities. Learn more.


Join NSPE-CA for Upcoming Events

Date: July 20, 2023

Community Banner

September 23, 2023
Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant Tour
Tour led by professional engineers
NSPE-CA members and guests

October 26, 2023
Transbay Joint Powers Authority
Updates on Downtown Rail Extension/The Portal
NSPE-CA members

Registration information coming soon!


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: July 20, 2023

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting July 27-28. Access meeting agenda here.


Governor Signs Bills Package to Accelerate Infrastructure Projects

Date: July 20, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law a slate of bills to accelerate critical infrastructure projects across California to help build a 100% clean electric grid, ensure safe drinking water, and boost the state's water supply and modernize our transportation system.

The legislation represents a push to take full advantage of an unprecedented $180 billion in state, local, and federal infrastructure funds over the next 10 years – critical to achieving California's world-leading climate and clean energy goals while also creating up to 400,000 good-paying jobs, according to a news release.

By streamlining permitting, cutting red tape, and allowing state agencies to use new project delivery methods, this legislation will maximize taxpayer dollars and accelerate timelines of projects throughout the state, while ensuring appropriate environmental review and community engagement.

How will the legislation work?

  • Speeds Up Construction: Current construction procurement processes drive delays and increase project costs. The legislation includes methods to offer a streamlined process for project delivery to reduce project timeframes and costs.
  • Expedites Court Review: Legal challenges often tie up projects even after they've successfully gone through environmental review. This legislation speeds up judicial review to avoid long delays and advance projects without reducing the environmental and government transparency benefits of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
  • Streamlines Permitting: Makes changes to California law to accelerate permitting for certain projects, reducing delays and project costs.
  • Addresses Cumbersome CEQA Processes: Streamlines procedures around document collection and assembly in litigation after projects have already been approved.
  • Maximizes Federal Dollars: Establishes a Green Bank Financing Program within the Climate Catalyst Fund so that the state can leverage federal dollars for climate projects that cut pollution, with an emphasis on projects that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. Read more.

Risk of Exposure to PFAS Chemicals Higher in Southern California

Date: July 20, 2023

Tap water in urban areas of Southern and Central California appears more likely to be contaminated by PFAS "forever chemicals" than drinking water in many other regions of the nation, although rural Californians are far less likely to suffer similar exposure, according to new research by the US Geological Survey.

The newly released study is the latest to examine the prevalence of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances — a vast group of manufactured chemicals that are drawing increasing scrutiny for their health risks, as well as their widespread prevalence in food, water, soil, air, and work environments, the Los Angeles Times reports.

In what is considered to be the nation's first large-scale analysis of PFAS in tap water from private wells and public water supplies, researchers estimated that at least 45% of drinking water across the nation could contain one or more of the chemicals. Study authors also concluded that drinking-water exposures may be more common in Southern and Central California, as well as the Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Eastern Seaboard regions.

While study authors found an 8% probability that one or more of the chemicals would be detected in drinking water in rural areas, the detection probability skyrocketed to more than 70% in urban areas. Read more.


Jobboard

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Principal Civil Engineer
Citrus Heights, CA

Electrical Engineer-Remote- Solar Energy
El Segundo, CA

Engineering Director
Vista, CA


Welcome New NSPE-CA Members

Date: June 23, 2023

NSPE-CA would like to give a warm welcome to our newest members!

June
Isaac Viscarra, P.E., mechanical engineer, Hollister

May
Nicholas Peters, P.E., of SoCo Engineering, Healdsburg
John Westmoreland, P.E., of Westmoreland Engineering, San Jose


Join NSPE-CA for Upcoming Events

Date: June 23, 2023

Friday, July 7, 2023
California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory Tour and Dinner

NSPE-California members and their guests are invited to join NSPE-CA's 2023-2024 Board of Directors for a tour of the California Institute of Technology's Seismological Laboratory, followed by dinner in Pasadena. Also attending will be special guest NSPE President for 2023-2024 Bill Atkinson, P.E. The tour is free, and dinner is a paid add-on at Celestino Ristorante & Bar Pasadena. Access more event information and register here.

July 8, 2023
NSPE-CA Board of Directors Meeting
Pasadena, California

Emails with registration details are coming soon for the following events!

July 27, 2023
9:30 a.m.–noon
California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tour

Pasadena, California
NSPE-CA members

September 23, 2023
Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant Tour
Tour led by professional engineers
NSPE-CA members and guests

October 26, 2023
Transbay Joint Powers Authority
Updates on Downtown Rail Extension/The Portal
NSPE-CA members


NSPE-CA Renewable Energy Presentation and Plant Tour

Date: June 23, 2023

NSPE-CA members participated in a renewable energy presentation and plant tour on June 10 in Buttonwillow, California.

Access more tour photos here.


Limited Workforce May Hinder California's Infrastructure Upgrade

Date: June 23, 2023

After decades of neglect, California's infrastructure is poised for an upgrade. Thanks in part to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden in November 2021, the Golden State is set to receive more than $100 billion in federal and state infrastructure funds over the next several years, the Capitol Weekly reports.

This money represents a "once-in-a-generation opportunity," according to Governor Gavin Newsom, to install and/or update a litany of critical systems serving Californians, including:

  • A network of charging stations for electric vehicles;
  • Broadband internet service;
  • Replacement roads and bridges, designed to mitigate climate change;
  • Protections against cyberattacks, wildfires and extreme weather events;
  • Improved public transportation options;
  • Better service lines and pipes for clean drinking water; and
  • Airport upgrades.

"We have a remarkable opportunity to improve California's infrastructure planning and delivery–and to make sure infrastructure projects are built better, faster and with greater transparency," said Micah Weinberg, CEO of CA FWD, in a recent press release touting the organization’s new report on maximizing the state's infrastructure dollars.

But there's a problem, according to the CA FWD report: this new funding is expected to generate 400,000 construction jobs – jobs the current California workforce can't fill. "In order to implement its infrastructure program," CA FWD says bluntly, "California will need to develop its infrastructure workforce." That won't be easy. Read more.


California's Clean Electricity Portfolio and Battery Storage Capacity Grows

The latest data from the California Energy Commission shows that in 2021 more than 37% of the state's electricity came from Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS)-eligible sources such as solar and wind, an increase of 2.7% compared to 2020.

When combined with other sources of zero-carbon energy such as large hydroelectric generation and nuclear, nearly 59% of the state’s retail electricity sales came from nonfossil fuel sources. This amount remains unchanged from 2020 despite the jump in renewables due to drought-related declines in hydroelectric generation.

"This latest report card shows California continues making significant progress toward a 100% clean electrical grid of the future that leaves dirty fossil fuels in the past," said Commissioner Noemí Gallardo, who is the lead commissioner on RPS compliance. "We remain committed to ensuring a healthier and prosperous future for all Californians. By removing barriers to new clean energy projects and funding energy innovations, we will help the state deliver on this vision by mid-century."

California’s RPS program requires all load-serving entities in California to procure a portion of their electricity sales from eligible renewable resources. The program was established in 2002 with an initial requirement that 20% of electricity retail sales be served by renewable resources by 2017. Escalating requirements saw the goal increase to 33% by 2020 — a target that was met two years early in 2018. Read more.


USC Joins Consortium to Address Clean Water Access and Sustainability Challenges

Date: June 23, 2023

A collaboration between the University of Southern California, the University of Arizona, and the University of Nevada, Reno, has resulted in the Water Reuse Consortium. This partnership has been awarded a $12.3 million cooperative agreement for phase one of a three-phase $38 million program with the US Army Corps of Engineers - Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL). The consortium will tackle pressing water challenges through innovative research, education, communication, and unprecedented collaborative efforts between government, local communities, industry, and academia.

Clean water scarcity is an increasingly critical issue worldwide, and effective water reuse strategies are essential in mitigating its impact. Recognizing this urgent need, the Water Reuse Consortium will focus on research and development initiatives to advance water treatment technologies, enhance the efficiency of water reuse systems, and drive sustainable policies and practices while addressing public health concerns. Read more.


Develop Your Leadership Skills

Date: June 23, 2023

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession. There are several volunteer openings — with a variety of time commitments — available:

  • Help Plan Events — Join our Event Task Force and help NSPE-CA plan events throughout the state.
  • Legislation Watch — Help monitor bills that could affect the profession.
  • Present — Present a topic during a Zoom lunch meeting.
  • MATHCOUNTS — Volunteer with MATHCOUNTS and inspire future engineers.

Interested in learning more? Email admin@nspe-ca.org.


Job Board

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

Featured Jobs
Senior Civil Engineer (Water Resources)
Modesto, CA

Associate Mechanical Engineer
Sacramento, CA

Public Works Director
Avalon, CA


Upcoming NSPE-CA Events

Emails with registration details coming soon!

Connect

June 10, 2023
California Bioenergy Upgrader Tour and Lunch Manure Waste to Biogas
Buttonwillow, California
NSPE-CA and NSPE members, and nonmembers welcome

July 7, 2023
California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory Tour and Dinner
Pasadena, California
NSPE-CA and NSPE members and nonmembers welcome

July 8, 2023
NSPE-CA Board of Directors Meeting
Pasadena, California

July 27, 2023
9:30 a.m.–noon
California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory Tour
Pasadena, California
NSPE-CA members

September 23, 2023
Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant Tour
Tour led by professional engineers
NSPE-CA members and guests


Governor Announces New Flood Investment Proposals

Date: May 19, 2023

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on May 11 that his revised budget proposal will include $492 million in funding to help protect Californians from ongoing flooding impacts in the Central Valley and throughout the state. The one-time funding will support at-risk communities, including those in the Tulare Basin, respond to the impacts of this year's winter storms and better withstand future flooding, according to a news release.

The revised budget invests $290 million in new flood proposals:

  • $125 million to support preparedness, response and recovery related to the 2023 storms – funding shifted from drought contingency to flood contingency to address the weather whiplash California is facing;
  • $75 million to support local flood control projects;
  • $25 million to expand the current California Small Agricultural Business Drought Relief Grant Program to provide direct assistance to eligible agriculture-related businesses that have been affected by the recent storms;
  • $25 million for potential additional disaster relief and response costs in this fiscal year to address immediate impacts; and
  • $40 million for the San Joaquin Floodplain restoration.

Gordon Prize Awarded to USC Engineering Educator

Date: May 19, 2023

NAE President John Anderson recently presented the Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education to Azad Madni. The award was presented at a celebratory dinner held at the University of Southern California (USC) on May 2.

Madni, who is the Northrop Grumman Foundation Fred O'Green Chair in Engineering and University Professor of Astronautical Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, was recognized "for creating and disseminating a transdisciplinary systems engineering education paradigm based on entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, convergence, social awareness, and diverse thinking and backgrounds."

The Gordon Prize includes a $500,000 cash award half granted to the recipient and the other half to the institution to support the continued development, refinement, and dissemination of the recognized innovation. The recipient also receives a commemorative medallion and hand-scribed certificate. Read more.


California's Vulnerable Water System Faces Many Threats

Date: May 19, 2023

In California, where epic Sierra Nevada snowpack and "the big melt" have substantially increased the stakes for reservoir managers, officials say they're taking steps to protect the state's water systems from hackers, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, such as the flooding that temporarily severed the Los Angeles Aqueduct — the city's water lifeline that connects to the Owens Valley.

But experts say the challenges are numerous, The Los Angeles Times reports. Many of the systems in California and nationwide are still operating with outdated software, poor passwords, aging infrastructure and other weaknesses that could leave them at risk.

"We've seen a steady rise in both the prevalence and the impact of cyberintrusions, as well as an extraordinary increase in ransomware attacks, which have become more destructive and more expensive," said Joe Oregon, chief of cybersecurity for Region 9 of the federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. Read more.


Call for Nominations: Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards

Date: May 19, 2023

The Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards is seeking nominations to honor the leadership and outstanding achievements of Californians who help advance the state's clean energy goals. The awards, sponsored by the California Energy Commission, aim to motivate and inspire all stakeholders to continue to lead the state to a 100% clean energy future by 2045. Nominations are due by Friday, June 16. Access more information here.


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: May 19, 2023

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting June 8-9. Access meeting information here.


Develop Your Leadership Skills

Date: May 19, 2023

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession. There are several volunteer openings — with a variety of time commitments — available:

  • Help Plan Events — Join our Event Task Force and help NSPE-CA plan events throughout the state.
  • Legislation Watch — Help monitor bills that could affect the profession.
  • Present — Present a topic during a Zoom lunch meeting.
  • Lead Discussion — Lead a Zoom discussion about an NSPE webinar.
  • MATHCOUNTS — Volunteer with MATHCOUNTS and inspire future engineers.

Interested in learning more? Email admin@nspe-ca.org.


Careers

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Deputy City Engineer
Madera, CA

Principal Engineer (PE) - DER (Hybrid) (#22-63128)
San Diego, CA

Civil Design Engineer
Solana Beach, CA


California MATHCOUNTS Team Gets Ready for National Competition

Date: April 20, 2023

Congratulations to the California mathletes who will represent the state during the upcoming 2023 Raytheon Technologies MATHCOUNTS Competition finals that will take place May 14–15 in Orlando, Florida. Access more national competition information here.

The California team includes the following student members and coach:

  • Ayush Bansal (8th grade) Hyde Middle School-Santa Clara, CA
  • Ryan Bansal (8th grade) Miller Middle School-San Jose, CA
  • Andy Lu (8th grade) Redwood Middle School-Saratoga, CA
  • Seabert Mao (8th grade) Redwood Middle School-Saratoga, CA
  • P.J. Yim (Coach) Redwood Middle School

NSPE-CA supports the next generation of PEs through engagement in the MATHCOUNTS program. These students are some of the most capable and hardworking young mathematicians in our state, and the top scoring students earn the prestigious honor of representing California at the national level.


Network and Learn at NSPE-CA Events

Date: April 20, 2023

NSPE–California is holding in-person events once again! Below is our tentative schedule for 2023. As we finalize date and other details (including registration) we will be adding these events to our Calendar of Events listings.

April — Tour in Berkeley (in planning)
May — California Public Utilities Commission lunch topic (in planning)
June 10 — Biomethane production facility tour followed by lunch in Bakersfield
July — Member event in Pasadena with NSPE President Bill Atkinson (in planning)
September — Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant at the LA CSD Plant in Carson (in planning)


California Invests $1.1 Billion for Transportation Infrastructure

Date: April 20, 2023

The California Transportation Commission allocated more than $1.1 billion in March for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. The allocation includes more than $533 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $190 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

California has already received nearly $18.5 billion since the IIJA's passage in November 2021. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

Access more information about California transportation projects funded by the IIJA and SB 1.


California Power Companies Propose Income-Based Rates

Date: April 20, 2023

Because of new state law, California's three largest power companies—Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric—have submitted a joint proposal to the state's Public Utilities Commission to simplify electricity bills to include a fixed-rate billing system based on household income.

The aim is to lower power bills, particularly for lower-income customers, while increasing transparency. If enacted, customers would see two main charges on their bills, according to a KTLA 5 News report.

Put simply, the more you earn the more you pay for recurring charges (not related to energy usage):

  • Households with annual income from $28,000 – $69,000 would pay $20 a month in Southern California Edison territory, $34 a month in SDG&E territory, and $30 a month in PG&E territory.
  • Households earning $69,000 – $180,000 would pay $51 a month in Edison and PG&E territories, and $73 a month in SDG&E territory.
  • Those with incomes above $180,000 would pay $85 a month in Edison territory, $128 a month in SDG&E territory and $92 a month in PG&E territory.

According to SCE, the fixed rate will cover "the costs of safely building, maintaining and operating the electric grid, of providing customer support, and the cost of state initiatives to help income-qualified customers and energy-efficiency programs." Read more.


Develop Your Leadership Skills

Date: April 20, 2023

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession. There are several volunteer openings — with a variety of time commitments — available:

  • Help Plan Events — Join our Event Task Force and help NSPE-CA plan events throughout the state.
  • Legislation Watch — Help monitor bills that could affect the profession.
  • Present — Present a topic during a Zoom lunch meeting.
  • Lead Discussion — Lead a Zoom discussion about an NSPE webinar.
  • MATHCOUNTS — Volunteer with MATHCOUNTS and inspire future engineers.

Interested in learning more? Email admin@nspe-ca.org.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Principal Civil Engineer
Norwalk, CA

Project Engineer (Construction)
Irvine, CA

Director of Transportation & Public Works
Santa Rosa, CA


Network and Learn at NSPE-CA Events

Date: March 17, 2023

Network and Learn

NSPE–California is holding in-person events once again! Here are some recent event photos.

The Engineers’ Council Awards Banquet - February 25, 2023
The Engineers’ Council Awards Banquet
NSPE-CA was a sponsor of the banquet.

NSPE-CA Vice-President Mike Ozatalar and his wife, Jodi.
NSPE-CA Vice-President Mike Ozatalar and his wife, Jodi.

San Diego Engineers Week Festival - February 19, 2023
San Diego Engineers Week Festival - February 19, 2023
Mike Ozatalar (NSPE-CA Vice President), Peter Livingston (President of the NSPE-CA Education Foundation President), and Ken Discenza (NSPE-CA Treasurer) attended the Engineers Week Festival

NSPE–CA and SWE Los Angeles Engineer Social at Upshift Brewing Co. - February 15, 2023
NSPE–CA and SWE Los Angeles Engineer Social at Upshift Brewing Co

Access more event photos here.

Upcoming Event Schedule
Below is our tentative schedule for 2023. As we finalize date and other details (including registration) we will be adding these events to our Calendar of Events listings.

March 25 — Northern California State MATHCOUNTS Competition at University of the Pacific in Stockton
April — Tour in Berkeley (in planning)
May — California Public Utilities Commission lunch topic (in planning)
June 10 — Biomethane production facility tour followed by lunch in Bakersfield
July — Member event in Pasadena with NSPE President Bill Atkinson (in planning)
September — Metropolitan Water District Pure Water Demonstration Plant at the LA CSD Plant in Carson (in planning)


Develop Your Leadership Skills

Date: March 17, 2023

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession. There are several volunteer openings — with a variety of time commitments — available:

  • Help Plan Events — Join our Event Task Force and help NSPE-CA plan events throughout the state.
  • Legislation Watch — Help monitor bills that could affect the profession.
  • Present — Present a topic during a Zoom lunch meeting.
  • Lead Discussion — Lead a Zoom discussion about an NSPE webinar.
  • MATHCOUNTS — Volunteer with MATHCOUNTS and inspire future engineers.

Interested in learning more? Email admin@nspe-ca.org.


State Licensing Board News

Date: March 17, 2023

Check out the latest news from the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

Applicants and Licensees Required to Provide Email Addresses to the Board
New laws have been enacted that require applicants and licensees to provide the board with a valid email address (if they have one) and to notify the board within 30 days of any change of their email address.

The Civil Seismic PE Exam
The Civil Seismic Principles Exam will continue to test on the 2019 California Building Code for the remainder of 2023. The 2022 California Building Code will be implemented on the 2024 Civil Seismic Principles Exam.

In addition, new test plans for the Civil Engineering Surveying and Civil Seismic Principles exams will be implemented on January 1, 2024. The current Civil Engineering Examinations Reference List, Civil Engineering Surveying Test Plan, and Civil Seismic Principles Test Plan are available on the board's website.

Board Meeting
The board will hold its next meeting April 13-14 (1747 North Market Blvd., Hearing Room #186 Sacramento, CA 95834). Access the meeting information and agenda here.

Latest Issue of the Bulletin Newsletter
The Fall/Winter Board Bulletin is now available. Access the newsletter here.


Diablo Canyon Power Plant Needed to Support Grid Reliability

Date: March 17, 2023

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently approved a staff analysis recommending the state pursue extending operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) through 2030 to ensure electricity reliability. The determination is based on data showing California risks energy supply shortfalls during extreme weather events driven by climate change, according to a news release.

Senate Bill 846 (Dodd, 2022) requires the CEC to determine the need to extend DCPP’s license to operate beyond its expiration date of 2025. Located in San Luis Obispo County, DCPP is owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The nuclear power plant supplies about 17% of California's zero-carbon electricity and 9% of total electricity. An extension allows the state to rely less on natural gas and more on clean resources for the electricity grid.

"As California confronts a rapidly changing climate, extraordinary heat events and record energy demand are becoming increasingly ordinary. The state needs to keep all options on the table to protect public health and safety," said CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda. "This includes maintaining Diablo Canyon's operations to support reliability statewide in the near-term. An extension would allow more time for additional clean energy projects to come on-line as we work on the long-term transition away from fossil fuels." Read more.


California High-Speed Rail Project More Expensive Than Previously Thought

Date: March 17, 2023

It turns out high-speed rail is more expensive than California officials previously thought. The California High-Speed Rail Authority released its revised cost projections this week and found the project is becoming more expensive, The Center Square reports.

Four years ago, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his plan for a bullet train that travels 171 miles; he said it would begin operating in 2030 and cost $22.8 billion to construct.

However, the cost projection has risen dramatically since then. Now, the 171-mile initial segment is projected to cost as much as $35 billion. It means the state would need to secure an additional $10 billion to complete the project, according to CalMatters.

Furthermore, the projected cost of the entire 500-mile high-speed rail line has quadrupled since voters approved the plan in 2008. It has increased to the point where that 171-mile stretch may cost more than what the entire project was expected to cost. Read more.


Careers

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
City Engineer
Palm Desert, CA

Engineer
San Diego, CA

Senior Mechanical Engineer
San Rafael, CA


Don't Miss Out: Upcoming NSPE-CA Events

Date: February 15, 2023

NSPE–CA is holding in-person events once again! Below is our tentative schedule for 2023. As we finalize dates and other details (including registration) we will be adding these events to our Calendar of Events listings.

February 15NSPE–California and SWE Los Angeles members-only hosted Engineer Social
February 19National Engineers Week event in San Diego
February 23National Engineers Week event in San Joaquin County
April — Tour in Pasadena or Berkeley (in planning)
May — California Public Utilities Commission lunch topic (in planning)
June 10 — Biomethane production facility tour followed by lunch in Bakersfield
July — Member event in Pasadena (in planning)


NSPE-CA Discussion — Ethical Insights

Date: February 15, 2023

If you missed the recent discussion on Ethical Case Insights: Lessons in Disclosure, you can still access the webinar at your convenience (add the webinar to your cart, then check out for free as an NSPE member) and discuss the case in the community. NSPE-CA member Harold V. Hartman, P.E., served as the discussion host.


A Deadly Building Flaw Common in California Brings Destruction and Misery to Turkey, Syria

Date: February 15, 2023

As seismic engineers study the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria that killed more than 20,000 people as of February 11, it's becoming clear that a significant cause of the destruction involved a building design common in California and other parts of the US.

The flaws of non-ductile concrete construction are found across the Golden State, with many buildings having not been evaluated or retrofitted and at risk of collapse in a serious earthquake, the Los Angeles Times reports.

It can be tempting for Californians to assume that their structures are inherently better than those in Turkey. But the state hasn't been tested with a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in more than a century. And that event—the great 1906 earthquake —destroyed much of San Francisco.

It will take time for structural engineers to compile a comprehensive report on the damaged and destroyed buildings in Turkey and Syria. But several experts, looking at photos and videos of the pancaked structures, said the primary flaw is already obvious: They were non-ductile concrete buildings, which have an inadequate configuration of steel reinforcing bars that allows concrete to become brittle and explode out of the structure's columns when shaken. Read more.


Five Ways California is Storing Water from Winter Storms

Date: February 15, 2023

California is taking urgent action to protect communities from climate-driven extremes in weather and expand the state's capacity to capture storm runoff in wet years.

"California isn't waiting to act – we're moving aggressively to modernize how we capture and store water to future-proof our state against more extreme cycles of wet and dry," Governor Gavin Newsom stated in a news release. "We're expediting projects across the state to maximize stormwater capture and storage above and below ground during times like these, reshaping our water systems for the 21st century and beyond."

Leveraging the more than $8.6 billion committed by Governor Newsom and the state legislature in the last two budget cycles to build water resilience, the state is taking aggressive action to prepare for the impacts of climate-driven extremes in weather on the state's water supplies:

  • Advancing clear, ambitious targets to build drought and flood resilience, including increasing annual groundwater recharge capacity by 500,000 acre-feet.
  • Fast-tracking groundwater recharge efforts by streamlining permits.
  • Maximizing stormwater capture through new projects.
  • Supporting reservoir repair and expansion to boost water storage above and below ground.
  • Modernizing water conveyance infrastructure across the state, including the Delta Conveyance Project.

This budget funding includes $500 million that will be provided in 2025-26 to help ensure strategic water storage projects can be completed. In the 2023-24 state budget, Newsom is proposing an additional $202 million for flood protection and $125 million for drought related actions. Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Principal Civil Engineer
Stockton, CA

Director of Engineering
Oakland, CA

Deputy Director of Engineering and Surveying
Auburn, CA


NSPE-CA Lunch Zoom Discussion – Ethical Insights

Date: January 20, 2023

Join NSPE-CA members for a NEW online event format — Watch a FREE NSPE webinar on your own and then join your NSPE-CA peers for a hosted discussion on Wednesday, January 25 (noon to 1:00 p.m. PST). The webinar for this discussion is Ethical Case Insights: Lessons in Disclosure.

NSPE-CA member Harold V. Hartman, P.E., will serve as the discussion host. Harold is a senior associate at Eco & Associates in Tustin. As an engineering management professional, he has spent most of his career with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

How to participate:

  • Access the webinar here. Add the webinar to your cart, then check out for free as an NSPE member.
  • Watch the webinar at your own convenience.
  • Register for our hosted discussion to receive the Zoom link.
  • Come ready to share your thoughts on Wednesday, January 25!

Reserve your spot today!

Free Conference for NSPE-CA Student Members
College students can attend the DISTRIBUTECH International, February 7–9 in San Diego, with free conference admission. The Future Energy Leaders program was created to give engineering students the chance to experience DISTRIBUTECH International, the leading annual transmission and distribution event for utilities, technology providers, and industry leaders. Through this program, college students can attend sessions and courses based on timely topics in the industry and take advantage of networking opportunities. For your FREE student admission to the conference in San Diego, visit bit.ly/FutureEnergyLeaders.

Here are other upcoming events for NSPE-CA members and prospective members in the 2022-23 schedule.

January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
February — National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure


State Licensing Board News

Date: January 20, 2023

Updated Content Information: Applicants and licensees are now required to provide the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists with a valid email address (if they have one) and to notify the board within 30 days of any change of their email address. Click here for more information about this new requirement and how to notify the board of your email address.

State Laws and Regulations Document: The 2023 Professional Engineers Act, the Geologist & Geophysicist Act, and the Professional Land Surveyors’ Act, and their associated regulations, are now available.

Upcoming Board Meeting: The board will hold its next meeting February 2-3. Access meeting information here.


California Faces Catastrophic Flood Dangers

Date: January 20, 2023

The storms that have been battering California offer a glimpse of the catastrophic floods that scientists warn will come in the future and that the state is unprepared to endure, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Giant floods like those that inundated the Central Valley in 1861 and 1862 are part of California's natural cycle, but the latest science shows that the coming megafloods, intensified by climate change, will be much bigger and more destructive than anything the state or the country has ever seen.

A new state flood protection plan for the Central Valley presents a stark picture of the dangers. It says catastrophic flooding would threaten millions of Californians, putting many areas underwater and causing death and destruction on an unprecedented scale. The damage could total as much as $1 trillion.

The plan, approved last month, calls for $25 billion to $30 billion in investments over the next 30 years in the Central Valley, and outlines recommendations that include strengthening levees and restoring natural floodplains along rivers. Read more.


Waste-to-Hydrogen Facility to Fuel Transportation in California

Date: January 20, 2023

Raven SR Inc. (a renewable fuels company), Chevron New Energies (a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc.), and Hyzon Motors Inc. (a manufacturer of hydrogen vehicles) are collaborating on the commercialization of a green waste-to-hydrogen production facility in Richmond, California.

The trio expects production to begin in Q1 2024, and the intention is to supply hydrogen fuel to transportation markets in Northern California, PV Magazine reports. The three entities have formed a new company, Raven SR S1 LLC, which will be the operator of the facility.

The Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill will provide up to 99 wet tons of green and food waste every day to produce the hydrogen. Using a non-combustion steam/CO2 reforming process, the company expects to produce up to 2,400 metric-tons per year of renewable hydrogen.

The technology is a non-combustion thermal, chemical reductive process that results in hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels. Unlike other hydrogen production technologies, the company said its steam/CO2 reformation process uses less than half the energy of electrolysis. The combustion process uses no fresh water, which is important in California, given its drought issues, and it is more efficient than conventional hydrogen production and can deliver fuel with low to negative carbon intensity. Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Engineering Manager [Hybrid]
Rosemead, CA

Supervising Engineer – Transportation & Public Works
Santa Rosa, CA

Director of Transportation
Oakland, CA


Opportunities for NSPE-CA Student Members

Date: December 21, 2022

Take a look at these engineering opportunities specifically for students. One may be a fit for you!

College students can win cash prizes from the World Engineering Day Hackathon, January 9–22. Students are invited to sign up for the chance to win cash prizes as they solve some of the world's biggest challenges. Student teams must choose one of the proposed challenges presented January 9; they will have two weeks to formulate and upload their solutions (a 5-minute video and a writeup are due January 22).

The Hackathon is hosted by the World Federation of Engineering Organizations in partnership with Engineers Without Borders International (EWB). There is no cost for entry and the contest is open to teams of three to five students (attending any university or engineering school for the entirety of 2023). For all the details, visit worldengineeringday.net/hackathon/.

Call for student speakers (abstracts by January 10, videos by January 20). Students are invited to share their STEM passions. Topics should be geared to inspire a general audience in topics from technology and innovation, education to inclusion. For more info, visit www.sandiegoengineers.org/STEM/speakers.

Free conference admission for college students at DISTRIBUTECH International, February 7–9 in San Diego. The Future Energy Leaders program was created to give engineering students the chance to experience DISTRIBUTECH International, the leading annual transmission and distribution event for utilities, technology providers, and industry leaders. Through this program, college students can attend sessions and courses based on timely topics in the industry and take advantage of networking opportunities. For your FREE student admission to the conference in San Diego, visit bit.ly/FutureEnergyLeaders.

Here are other upcoming events for NSPE-CA members and prospective members in the 2022-23 schedule.

  • January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
  • February – National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
  • March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure

NSPE-CA's DEI Presentation Video Available

Date: December 21, 2022

Even if you couldn't attend, you can still watch our presentation on NSPE's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Jacquelyn Brooks, P.E., and Ken Discenza, P.E., discuss why DEI is important to engineering and what NSPE is doing in that space. Use passcode: r^#YQV$6


California Leads the Nation in Energy Efficiency

Date: December 21, 2022

As Americans struggle to pay rising energy bills, leading states have instituted energy efficiency policies that cut utility bills—especially for those who need it most—while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the 2022 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. These policies can serve as models for the dozens of states that have yet to prioritize energy-saving upgrades to reduce costs for disadvantaged households, according to a news release.

California comes in first place in the 50-state scorecard (which also includes Washington, DC) from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Rounding out the top 10 are Massachusetts (#2), New York (#3), Vermont (#4), Maine (#5), Washington, DC (#6), Maryland and Rhode Island (tied at #7), Connecticut (#9), and Minnesota (#10). The scorecard ranks states in six policy areas: utility programs, transportation, building energy codes, state initiatives, industrial energy efficiency, and appliance standards.


Year One of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Date: December 21, 2022

The Biden Administration recently updated state and territory fact sheets that highlight the nationwide impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the largest long-term investment infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. To date, over $16.3 billion in funding has been announced and is headed to California with at least 480 specific projects identified for funding. Access information about California projects here.


Career Center

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Hazardous Substances Engineer (Project Manager)
Sacramento, CA

City Engineer
Long Beach, CA

Transmission Planning Project Manager
San Diego, CA


NSPE-CA Virtual Presentation: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Engineering

Date: November 17, 2022

Please join NSPE–CA on Friday, November 18 (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST) for a FREE lunchtime Zoom presentation discussing how NSPE is addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering profession.

NSPE seeks to create a diverse and welcoming environment for everyone interested in the licensed practice of engineering and recognizes the benefits of a diverse population of licensed engineers in shaping the future of engineering. This interactive session will be presented by Jacquelyn Brooks, P.E., former Chair of NSPE's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee, and Ken Discenza, P.E., treasurer of NSPE-California, and a former member of the DEI Advisory Committee.

Registration is required and is open to current and prospective members. Reserve your spot today!

Here are other events in the 2022-23 schedule.

  • December — Joint Event with IEEE in Los Angeles Metro Area
  • January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
  • February – National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
  • March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure

State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: November 17, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting December 8-9. Access the meeting information and agenda (including virtual attendance information) here.


UCLA Launches Free STEM Program for High School Students

Date: November 17, 2022

The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science recently launched the Mathematics Achievement Program (MAP), which aims to provide a robust STEM curriculum for students from underserved high schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Free of charge for admitted students, MAP will also provide complimentary transportation, meals, and school supplies for the students who will visit UCLA's campus on the weekends to engage in advanced math lessons and hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The engineering school's Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity is spearheading the program as part of its continued commitment to building a more sustainable, quality STEM program for K-12 students. Read more.


Voters Reject Tax for Electric Vehicles

Date: November 17, 2022

California voters rejected a measure that would have raised taxes on millionaires to help more people purchase electric vehicles and fund wildfire prevention efforts across the state, The Sacramento Bee reports. The defeat of Prop. 30 marked a major victory for Governor Gavin Newsom, the measure's most prominent opponent.

The measure asked voters to support raising the income tax by 1.75% on Californians earning more than $2 million a year — or about 35,000 of the wealthiest people in the state. The funds raised by the initiative would go toward boosting subsidy programs for the purchase of electric vehicles, building more charging stations, and allowing Cal Fire to hire more firefighters. Read more.


CA Sues Manufacturers of Toxic "Forever Chemicals"

Date: November 17, 2022

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit on November 10 against the manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (commonly referred to as PFAS) for endangering public health, causing irreparable harm to the state's natural resources, and engaging in a widespread campaign to deceive the public.

In the lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta alleges that these manufacturers, including 3M and DuPont, knew or should have known that PFAS are toxic and harmful to human health and the environment, yet continued to produce them for mass use and concealed their harms from the public. As a result, these toxic "forever chemicals" are pervasive across California's bays, lakes, streams, and rivers; in its fish, wildlife, and soil; and in the bloodstream of 98% of Californians. Read more.


Public Utilities Commission Issues Solar Tariff Modernization Proposal

Date: November 17, 2022

The California Public Utilities Commission has issued a proposal to modernize the Net Energy Metering (NEM) solar tariff to promote solar and battery storage, grid reliability, and control electricity costs for California residents. The update launches the solar industry into the future so that it can support the modern grid by incentivizing solar paired with battery storage and the adoption of electric vehicles, heat pump water heaters, and other electrification appliances while making rates more affordable for Californians.

The proposal:

  • Supports the solar and battery storage industry;
  • Saves a residential solar customer $100 a month on average, and a residential solar plus battery storage customer at least $136 a month on average;
  • Controls electricity costs for all Californians; and
  • Has no impact on existing rooftop solar customers, who maintain their existing compensation rates.

The proposal improves the pricing structure and credits customers for the electricity they export based on its value to the grid. The tariff also works together with an additional $900 million of state funding approved by the state legislature in upfront incentives for residential solar plus battery storage adopters, with 70% of the incentives going directly to low-income customers. The proposal has no impact on existing rooftop solar customers and maintains their current compensation rates. Read more.



NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Project Manager – Electrical Engineer
San Diego, CA

Senior Structural Engineer
Paso Robles, CA

Principal Engineer
Hemet, CA


NSPE-CA Networking Lunch: The Value of P.E. Licensure

Date: October 20, 2022

Join your fellow NSPE-CA members for a lunch event at the Cal Poly Pomona campus on Friday, October 28, at the student-run Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch. There is no registration fee for NSPE-CA members and prospective members.

NSPE-CA Vice President Mike Ozatalar, P.E., will provide a presentation on the value of professional licensure. Ozatalar is currently a manager of engineering at Parsons Corporation.

Members of the IEEE – Foothill Section, ASME – Cal Poly Pomona Student Chapter, and SWE Los Angeles Professional Section will also be participating in the event.

Registration ends on Friday, October 21, at noon. Access the registration here (promo code NSPECA54).

Connect with Your Community
NSPE-CA members now have more opportunities to connect and learn through in-person events. Registration is also open for an Instrumentation and Process Control event on Thursday, November 3, at the Phoenix Club, Anaheim.

Here are other events in the 2022-23 schedule.

  • November 18 — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation (Online)
  • December — Joint Event with IEEE in Los Angeles Metro Area
  • January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
  • February — National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
  • March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure 

As we finalize dates and other details —including registration—we will be adding these events to the NSPE-CA Events listing on the nspe-ca.org home page.

Help Create the NSPE-CA Events You Want to Attend
The NSPE-CA Events Task Force is seeking additional members who are interested in helping the Task Force create events for California members, both in-person and online. If you want to help build community among our membership, email Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga at admin@nspe-ca.org to be invited to an Events Task Force meeting in November.


'Water Batteries' Could Store Solar and Wind Power for When It's Needed

Date: October 20, 2022

The San Diego County Water Authority has an unusual plan to use the city's scenic San Vicente Reservoir to store solar power so it's available after sunset. The project, and others like it, could help unlock America's clean energy future, NPR reports.

Perhaps a decade from now, if all goes smoothly, large underground pipes will connect this lake to a new reservoir, a much smaller one, built in a nearby canyon about 1100 feet higher in elevation. When the sun is high in the sky, California's abundant solar power will pump water into that upper reservoir.

It's a way to store the electricity. When the sun goes down and solar power disappears, operators would open a valve and the force of 8 million tons of water, falling back downhill through those same pipes, would drive turbines capable of generating 500 megawatts of electricity for up to eight hours. That's enough to power 130,000 typical homes.

"It's a water battery!" says Neena Kuzmich, deputy director of engineering for the water authority. She says energy storage facilities like these will be increasingly vital as California starts to rely more on energy from wind and solar, which produce electricity on their own schedules, unbothered by the demands of consumers. Read more.


Decarbonization Leads to More Equable Air Quality in California

Date: October 20, 2022

As Californians work toward a publicly stated goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, residents stand to reap such additional benefits as cleaner air, widespread improvements in public health and related cost savings, according to researchers at the University of California, Irvine. But the extent to which these plusses will be shared by all stakeholders, including historically underserved communities, remains a matter for debate.

The UCI Advanced Power and Energy Program researchers quantified the health co-benefits of different decarbonization scenarios in a recently published paper. They demonstrated that while greener buildings would provide a roughly 15% improvement in health outcomes for the broad state population, elimination of greenhouse gases (and other forms of air pollution) from heavy-duty, over-the-road trucking would more directly benefit low-income Californians who live and work in closer proximity to the state's ports, industrial facilities, and highways.

"Socially and economically disadvantaged communities are disproportionally impacted by air pollution," said senior co-author Scott Samuelsen, a founding director of APEP and UCI professor of mechanical, aerospace, and environmental engineering. "As California commits to a carbon-neutral future, it's prudent to assess the effect of climate policy on urban air quality for the general population and, especially, disadvantaged communities." Read more.


Career Center

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
City Engineer
Hollister, CA

Deputy Director of Public Works
Redwood City, CA

Software Engineer
Mountainview, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA—Connect with Your Community

Date: September 23, 2022

Connect with Your Community

NSPE-CA members now have more opportunities to connect and learn through in-person events. In October, there will be a joint lunch event at Cal Poly Pomona with IEEE Foothill Section, SWE Los Angeles, and the ASME Cal Poly Pomona Student Chapter. Details and registration coming soon! Registration is also open for an Instrumentation and Process Control event on Thursday, November 3.

Here are other events on our tentative 2022-23 schedule.

  • November — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation in San Diego/Online
  • December — Joint Event with IEEE in Los Angeles Metro Area
  • January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
  • February — National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
  • March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure

As we finalize dates and other details —including registration—we will be adding these events to the Calendar of Events listings.


Licensing Board Meeting

Date: September 23, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting on October 20-21.
Access the meeting information here.


Federal Funding to Help California Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Date: September 23, 2022

California has the green light to start using federal infrastructure funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the state's interstates and highways following the recent federal approval of a joint plan by Caltrans and the California Energy Commission.

The US Joint Office of Energy and Transportation's signoff on the California Deployment Plan for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program makes an initial $56 million in funding available to install charging stations throughout the state. Funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), California expects to receive a total of $384 million for the program over the next five years. The federal funding will build on California's historic $10 billion, multiyear investment to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles by improving affordability and expanding charging infrastructure.

The IIJA funds will add to efforts to complete a 6,600-mile statewide charging network and deploy 1.2 million chargers by 2030 to meet the anticipated charging needs of the state's EV fleet. Read more.

Phasing Out Gas-Powered Cars Will Require Infrastructure Changes
California will ban sales of new gas-powered cars in 2035. Is the grid ready? Learn more about this topic during a talk between NPR's Rachel Martin and Margo Oge, former director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at the EPA.


Interior Department Invests Over $7.5 Million for Wildfire Resilience in California

Date: September 23, 2022

The Department of the Interior announced that it has invested over $7.5 million in fiscal year 2022 funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance wildfire resilience work and support fuels management projects in California on 9,969 acres of land across the state.

This is part of $103 million allocated by the department earlier this year to reduce wildfire risk, mitigate impacts and rehabilitate burned areas, according to a news release. The additional funding will help complete fuels treatments on nearly 2 million acres nationwide this fiscal year, a substantial increase over the prior year.

"As climate change drives harsher heat waves, more volatile weather, and record drought conditions, we are seeing wildfire seasons turn to wildfire years, threatening communities, businesses, wildlife and the environment," said Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau. "Through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are investing in California communities, advancing wildfire resilience work across the country, improving resources for the heroic firefighting workforce, and reducing the risk of wildfire." Read more.


Career Center

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Director of Public Works
Commerce, CA

Senior Engineer
Roseville, CA

Assistant/Associate Professors of Engineering - Tenure Track
Claremont, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA—Connect with Your Community

Date: August 17, 2022

NSPE-CA is holding in-person events once again! Members recently attended a tour of SoFi Stadium on August 14 with content specifically for engineers. The facility engineer showed NSPE-CA members behind-the-scenes areas, such as the chillers, mechanical rooms, and the 100' tall seismic isolation wall. The new stadium (located in Inglewood) hosts various sporting and entertainment events and is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

There are more events scheduled! Below is our tentative schedule for 2022-2023. As we finalize date and other details —including registration—we will be adding these events to the Calendar of Events listings.

  • October — Joint Event with IEEE in Pomona
  • October 27 — Participation in Process Engineering Technology Expo
  • November — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation in San Diego/Online
  • December — Joint Event with IEEE in Los Angeles Metro Area
  • January — Social Event with SWE in Southern California
  • February – National Engineers Week Events in San Diego
  • March — College Campus Visit to Promote PE Licensure

Licensing Board Meeting

Date: August 17, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting on Monday, August 22, beginning at 9:00 a.m. If necessary, the meeting will continue on Tuesday, August 23. Access the meeting materials here.


Governor Appoints Infrastructure Advisor

Date: August 17, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom named former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve as an infrastructure advisor, working with local, state, and federal leaders to identify priority projects and maximize access to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding across all regions of the state, according to a news release.

Newsom's announcement comes as the US Department of Transportation outlined $120 million in funding that California will receive for eight projects through the IIJA Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program to improve and modernize transportation infrastructure.

Here is a breakdown of the funding that California local governments, transit agencies, and others will receive through the RAISE grants:

  • $25 million to the High-Speed Rail Authority for its Merced Extension design work
  • $23 million to San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for complete streets improvements along Howard Street
  • $20 million to the Port of Los Angeles for its Terminal Island Grade Separation
  • $15 million for the Inglewood Transit Connector Project
  • $15 million for the Yuba-Sutter Transit Authority’s Zero-Emission Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility
  • $15 million to the City of Fontana for multi-modal complete street improvements
  • $5 million to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments to plan and design Mobility Zones in the Sacramento Region
  • $1.6 million to the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation for a separated pedestrian and bicycle path across Highway 101 in Del Norte County

Energy Commission Adopts Historic Offshore Wind Goals

Date: August 17, 2022

The California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted a report establishing offshore wind goals and moving the state one step closer to development of the clean energy resource off the state's coast. Preliminary findings in the report set planning goals of 2,000-5,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind by 2030 and 25,000 MW by 2045, enough electricity to power 3.75 million initially and 25 million homes by mid-century, according to a news release.

California is home to some of the best offshore wind resources in the country, a power source that can play a major role in helping the state achieve 100% clean electricity and carbon neutrality. Offshore wind is a critical clean energy source at night complementing solar energy by providing generation at the end of the day and into the evening as the sun sets.

The CEC developed the report in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders including Tribal governments, fisheries, and other ocean users. It is the first of several products the CEC must prepare to create a strategic plan for offshore wind energy development as required by Assembly Bill 525. It reflects the latest available research on technical potential. Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Civil Engineer
Madera, CA

Parks & Public Works Director/City Engineer
San Marino, CA

Senior Mechanical Engineer
Oakland, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Upcoming NSPE CA Event—SoFi Stadium Tour

Date: July 20, 2022

SoFi Stadium

NSPE-CA is gearing up for a full year of events—starting with a customized tour of the new SoFi Stadium with content just for engineers! The stadium (located in Inglewood) hosts various sporting and entertainment events and is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

Mark your calendars now to attend on Sunday, August 14. Registration information will be coming soon.


Interior Department Approves Clean Energy Transmission Project

Date: July 20, 2022

The US Department of the Interior has approved construction of the Ten West Link Transmission Line project, which will facilitate increased renewable energy development and delivery in Arizona and California. The project represents another significant milestone in efforts to lower consumers' energy costs and modernize America's power infrastructure in the West by permitting at least 25 gigawatts of solar, wind and geothermal production on public lands by 2025, according to a news release.

The Ten West Link route traverses a region with some of the highest potential for utility-scale solar photovoltaic energy development in the nation. The project will provide critical transmission infrastructure to support the development of future utility-scale solar energy resources and will boost the reliability of the bulk power system for millions of customers in Central Arizona and Southern California.

The Bureau of Land Management's Notice to Proceed authorizes Delaney Colorado River Transmission, LLC, to begin construction of the 125-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission line that will connect existing substations near Tonopah, Arizona and Blythe, California.


California Bullet Train Gets $4.2 Billion Green Light

Date: July 20, 2022

In a breakthrough for the country's most expensive public infrastructure project, California's bullet train finally appears to have the money and the legal approval to complete its first leg. What remains a challenge is how to link that initial 171-mile route through the state's Central Valley agricultural heartland to population centers in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose—and how its designers will overcome California's mountainous terrain and seismic risks, according to a Forbes article.

State legislators agreed last month to release $4.2 billion earmarked for the train's first phase, between midsize cities Bakersfield, Fresno, and Merced. The project may also benefit from more than $2 billion of federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds set aside for passenger rail. Extending service to the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles would boost the amount of track to 500 miles and the train's total price tag to as much as $105 billion. That's far above an initial estimate of about $40 billion when California voters approved a $10 billion bond measure to help build it in 2008. Read more.


PFAs Found in Drinking Water Near DOD Sites

Date: July 20, 2022

Recently released data from the Department of Defense show high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) found in drinking water near military bases, including in California, waterworld.com reports. The EPA says no level of the toxic, cancer-causing chemicals are considered safe for human consumption.

The chemicals were found in groundwater near 400 military installations in 18 other states, as well.

In June, the EPA issued four drinking water health advisories relating to PFAs. To help combat PFAS pollution, it has also invited states to apply for part of $1 billion in funding to address contaminants in drinking water, specifically in small or disadvantaged communities. An additional $4 billion will ultimately be available for this purpose as part of infrastructure law grant funding.


Job board

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Deputy Director – Engineering Services
Santa Rosa, CA

Mechanical Systems Engineer
Livermore, CA

Principal Civil Engineer
San Marcos, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: June 16, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold meetings June 23-24.
Access the meeting official notice and agenda here.


Clean Energy Research Program Funds $1 Billion of Innovative Projects

Date: June 16, 2022

As California's premier public-interest clean energy research and development program enters its 10th year and surpasses $1 billion in investments, a new report shows how it is helping the state address the climate challenge while attracting investment and creating jobs.

The California Energy Commission's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program invests more than $130 million annually on projects that advance the environmental sustainability, reliability, and affordability of the electric system, according to a news release.

Since 2012, EPIC has supported more than 430 projects with $1 billion in funding resulting in $7.8 billion in private investment raised by awardees ranging from major universities to small start-up companies.

"The EPIC program represents the best of California's entrepreneurial spirit by bringing clean energy innovation from the lab to the marketplace," said CEC Chair David Hochschild. "These technologies and tools are helping the state address our most pressing climate and energy challenge while benefitting electric ratepayers." Read more.


US Senate Adopts Resolution to Boost Latino Representation in STEM

Date: June 16, 2022

The US Senate adopted a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to express support for increasing the number of Latino students and young professionals entering careers in STEM. The resolution has also been introduced in the House by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) and Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27).

Latinos make up 17% of the overall workforce in the US, but represent less than 8% of the workforce in all STEM fields. A recent report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts Latinos will grow from 17% of the workforce in 2017 to 22.4% in 2030 and to 30.3% in 2060, according to a news release.

"As a Latino graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a degree in mechanical engineering, I understand the importance of making careers in STEM more accessible to communities of color," said Padilla. "America benefits from a strong and diverse workforce. This resolution is a good step toward recognizing the work we must do to encourage and support more Latinos to pursue STEM careers."

The resolution does the following

  • Supports the goal of increasing Latino individuals in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community, but in the overall American economy;
  • Supports increasing the representation of Latino individuals in STEM fields to enhance and improve representation and improve performance in the STEM workforce, which will help develop talented and capable STEM workers; reduce the dependence of the economy of the US on foreign workers; and secure the future of the US as a leader in STEM;
  • Encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering; and
  • Recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving institutions and all colleges and universities must play in order to achieve this goal of increasing Latino individuals in STEM.

Is Recycled Wastewater the Answer to California's Water Shortage?

Date: June 16, 2022

An exceptional drought season means California enters the summer under mandatory water use restrictions for the first time since 2015. Increasingly light snowfall sends less fresh water to be treated and distributed as fully drinkable water, making new methods of purifying water a vital priority. In fact, nearly 60% of the state is suffering from "extreme drought" conditions, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

Enter Dan McCurry, assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. McCurry is an environmental engineer who specializes in wastewater reuse and drinking-water treatment. USC News spoke with him about the water restrictions, the different types of wastewater and whether he meets the new state requirements for personal water use. Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Director of Engineering and Public Works
Millbrae, CA

Senior Civil Engineer
San Pablo, CA

Senior Engineer (Traffic)
Los Angeles, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Licensing Board Seeks Input on Civil Engineering Practice

Date: May 18, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is conducting surveys on civil engineering professional practice in the areas of engineering surveying and seismic principles.

Engineering Surveying
The board would like licensed engineers with professional experience as it relates to the practice of civil engineering with respect to engineering surveying in today's workplace to take a survey by May 27. The results of the questionnaire will assist the board with the development of the California Civil - Engineering Surveying exam for the purposes of issuing a civil engineer license.

Seismic Principles
The board would like licensed engineers with professional experience as it relates to the practice of civil engineering with respect to seismic principles in today's workplace to take a survey by June 10. The results of the questionnaire will assist the board with the development of the California Civil - Seismic Principles exam for the purposes of issuing a civil engineer license.


LA County Gets $441 Million to Modernize Wastewater Infrastructure

Date: May 18, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency is providing a $441 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (Sanitation Districts) to support the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant Effluent Outfall Tunnel Project ("Clearwater Project").

The Clearwater Project will protect local waterways and public health by addressing problems with aging wastewater infrastructure, according to a news release. The two existing tunnels that carry effluent from the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant are beyond their useful life and do not meet current seismic standards. If they fail, the treatment plant might need to discharge sewage into surrounding waterways. This project will combine the two aging outfall tunnels into one new 18-foot diameter, 7-mile-long tunnel designed to current seismic standards. It will have sufficient capacity for the high flows experienced during major storms. By completing this project, the Sanitation Districts will ensure reliability for a sewerage system that 5 million people in the county depend upon.

The Sanitation Districts will save approximately $76 million by financing with a WIFIA loan. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027. Construction and operation are expected to create approximately 2,880 local jobs.


State Air Resources Board Releases Draft Climate Action Plan

Date: May 18, 2022

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a draft plan to guide the state's transition to a clean energy economy, drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels, achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or sooner. The goal is to significantly clean the state’s air especially in disadvantaged communities disproportionately burdened by persistent pollution, according to a news release.

The draft 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan is the third update to the state's initial 2008 Scoping Plan. It identifies a technologically feasible, cost-effective and equity-focused path to achieve carbon neutrality over the next two decades while also assessing the progress the state is making towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Release of the draft plan triggers a formal 45-day public comment period. During this public comment period, the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee may provide additional input on the draft plan. CARB will consider the plan in June and may then provide direction to staff, with an additional period of public comment and engagement prior to the second meeting of the board in the fall to consider adopting a final draft of the plan.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Licensed Senior Civil Engineer
Irvine, CA

County Engineer
Sacramento, CA

Multiple Civil Engineering & Project Management Positions
Petaluma, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Climate Investments Program Implements $10.5 Billion in Greenhouse Gas-Reducing Projects

Date: April 20, 2022

California released an annual report on April 12 showing that the California Climate Investments program continues to lead the way to a low-carbon and more equitable future—with 2021 alone seeing the implementation of more than $2.1 billion in greenhouse gas-reducing projects. To date, $18.3 billion has been appropriated for the statewide initiative that puts Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health, with nearly $10.5 billion in implemented projects.

From December 2020 through November 2021, more than 75,000 new California Climate Investments projects were launched, delivering significant environmental, economic, and public health benefits across the state. The program continues to direct a significant amount of funding to disadvantaged communities and low-income communities and households, known as priority populations. In 2021, more than $1 billion in funding was directed to projects benefiting priority populations. To date, almost $5.2 billion has reached these communities – or more than half of all project investments. Read more.


B.F. Sisk Dam to Get $100 Million Federal Investment

Date: April 20, 2022

The US Department of the Interior is providing project-specific funding of $100 million for the modification of B.F. Sisk Dam in California. The funding, authorized by the bipartisan infrastructure law, was highlighted in an addendum to the agency’s initial spend plan for fiscal year 2022 funding allocations.

The B.F. Sisk Dam was completed in 1967 and impounds San Luis Reservoir, the nation's largest offstream reservoir. It provides supplemental irrigation water storage and municipal and industrial water for the Central Valley Project and California's state water project. In December 2019, the Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources announced a partnership to move forward on a $1.1 billion seismic upgrade with the signing of a Record of Decision and Notice of Determination.

The infrastructure law provides $500 million to Bureau of Reclamation over the next five years to support critical dam safety projects, streamline construction management, maintain the operational capacity of dams and minimize risk to the downstream public. These investments underscore President Biden's commitment to developing longer-term measures to respond to climate change, mitigate drought, and build climate resiliency. Read more.


What Did the 2021 Drought Cost California's Economy?

Date: April 20, 2022

Aside from farmworkers, the ongoing drought in California is impacting the state's economy in several ways. A 23ABC report took an in-depth look at a recently study conducted by the University of California Merced about those impacts.

The 2021 drought directly cost the California agriculture sector about $1.1 billion and nearly 8,750 full- and part-time jobs, according to estimates in the new analysis led by UC Merced researchers. Once the effects on other economic sectors are considered, total impacts are estimated at $1.7 billion and 14,634 full- and part-time jobs lost.

The Economic Impacts of the 2021 Drought on California Agriculture Preliminary Report analyzes the impacts of last year's drought in the Central Valley, the Russian River Basin, and northern intermountain valley areas. The researchers developed these preliminary estimates of economic impacts using surveys, reviews of hydrological information and remote sensing data gathered from those areas and comparing them to average conditions, as well as to the 2012-2016 drought.


State Licensing Board News

Date: April 20, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has released its latest issue of the Board Bulletin newsletter. Click here to access the PDF on the BPELSG website.


NSPE Career Center

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Project Engineer
Sacramento, CA

Principal Civil Engineer (Transportation)
San Rafael, CA

Hydro Engineer II (Electrical)
Foresthill, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

EPA Restores California's Authority to Enforce Emission Standards

Date: March 16, 2022

The Environmental Protection Agency has reinstated California's authority under the Clean Air Act to implement its own greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) sales mandate, according to a news release.

This action concludes the agency's reconsideration of 2019's Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program Rule (SAFE-1) by finding that the actions taken under the previous administration as a part of SAFE-1 were decided in error and are now entirely rescinded.

With this action, the EPA is also withdrawing the SAFE-1 interpretation of the Clean Air Act that would prohibit other states from adopting the California GHG emission standards. As a result, other states may choose to adopt and enforce California's GHG emission standards in lieu of the federal standards, consistent with section 177 of the Clean Air Act.


California Remains Ahead of Clean Electricity Goals

Date: March 16, 2022

Data from the California Energy Commission (CEC) shows that 59% of the state's electricity came from renewable and zero-carbon sources in 2020.

The CEC estimates that in 2020, 34.5% of the state's retail electricity sales were served by Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS)-eligible sources such as solar and wind. When sources of zero-carbon energy such as large hydroelectric generation and nuclear are included, 59% of the state's retail electricity sales came from non-fossil fuel sources in 2020.

In 2019, over 60% of the state's electricity came from renewable and zero-carbon sources. The decrease in 2020 is due to decline in hydroelectric generation caused by severe drought, as well as pandemic-related delays to new renewable energy projects.

Read more.


Astrolab Unveils Space Rover

Date: March 16, 2022

A Los Angeles-area startup founded by a veteran spaceflight robotics engineer unveiled its full-scale, working prototype for a next-generation lunar rover that is just as fast as NASA's old "moon buggy" but is designed to do much more, according to Reuters.

The company, Venturi Astrolab Inc, released photos and video showing its Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) vehicle riding over the rugged California desert near Death Valley National Park during a five-day field test in December.

Astrolab executives say the four-wheeled, car-sized FLEX rover is designed for use in NASA's Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the moon as early as 2025 and establishing a long-term lunar colony as a precursor to sending astronauts to Mars.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director
San Bernadino, CA

Assistant/Associate/Associate Civil Engineer
Modesto, CA

Civil/Rail Engineer
Oakland, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

California PE Named 2022 FEYA Finalist

Date: February 16, 2022

Robert Zueck, Ph.D., P.E., was named a top 10 finalist for NSPE's Federal Engineer of the Year Award. He works in the US Department of the Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Expeditionary Warfare Center at Port Hueneme, California.

Zueck and the other finalists will be recognized prior to the announcement of a winner during a virtual awards event on February 24 at noon EST. The event can be viewed on the NSPE website or on NSPE's Youtube channel.

The Federal Engineer of the Year Award, sponsored by the Professional Engineers in Government, honors engineers employed by a federal agency that employs at least 50 engineers worldwide. These nominees have made extensive contributions to their organizations and also to the public that PEs ultimately serve.

 

Naval Engineer Applies New Vibration Research to Military Projects
In a basic research project conducted several years ago, Robert Zueck, Ph.D., P.E., discovered how geometrically complex vibrations initiate, grow, and sustain themselves, often limiting higher performance for many combat systems. For example, when airflow induces excessive vibrations, aircraft can fly no faster. Similarly, when water flow induces strong vibrations, submarines become acoustically visible. Using this new knowledge of vibrations, defense engineers can now design beyond the speed, agility, and stealthiness limits of many military sensors, weapons, and platforms. In a 2020 applied research project, Zueck used this new vibration knowledge to improve the Expeditionary Warfare Center's modeling capability for designing, analyzing, and deploying towed sensors, ship moorings, sub-sea arrays, and other slender naval structures.

For nearly 15 years, Zueck's structural engineering expertise helped NAVFAC develop a program for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining the tall towers that support communications, control, and other naval missions. The engineering team's workload greatly expanded in 2018 to include more than 100 annual tower inspections. Equally noteworthy, Zueck has managed extensive waterfront engineering projects for more than a decade, including piers, wharves, dry docks, breakwaters, and other critical naval facilities.


Attorney General Calls for EPA to Expand Clean Waters Protections

Date: February 16, 2022

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a multistate coalition to urge the Biden Administration to repeal a Trump Administration rule that curtails protections under the Clean Water Act. Under the 2020 rule, more than half of all wetlands and at least 18% of all streams across the US were left without federal protections, according to a news release. Western states like California were even harder hit, with 35% of all streams deprived of federal protections as a result of the rule.

In a letter, the coalition expressed its support for the Biden Administration's proposed regulation to restore the 1980s definition of "waters of the United States" and urges the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers to take swift action to develop a more expansive definition that is consistent with science and the law, addresses the impacts of climate change, and serves environmental justice communities.


STEM Academies Bill Introduced in the State Legislature

Date: February 16, 2022

A bill seeking to create academies dedicated to high-quality science, technology, engineering, and math education was introduced in the California Legislature on February 9.

If passed, the legislation (A.B. 1923) will issue grants to school districts to establish up to 100 partnership academies to train students for STEM occupations. The legislation cites that only 16% of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career.

The bill states that "All young people should be prepared to think deeply and critically so that they can become innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders capable of solving the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world, both today and tomorrow. However, currently, not enough of our youth have access to quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities, and too few pupils see these disciplines as springboards to their careers."

The STEM occupations that the academies will target includes, but is not limited to, application software developer, computer programmer, computer hardware engineer, industrial engineer, civil engineer, architectural engineer, aerospace engineer, medical scientist, microbiologist, general medical practitioner, and chemist.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director
Palo Verdes Estates, CA

Electrical Engineering Manager
Truckee, CA

Principal Civil Engineer – Roads and Airports
San Jose, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

2022 Professional Engineers Act and More

Date: January 19, 2022

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has posted the 2022 edition of the Professional Engineers Act, the Geologist and Geophysicist Act, and the Professional Land Surveyors Act, and their related regulations.

NCEES Exams Update
All NCEES exams will be administered via Computer-Based Testing (CBT), with the exception of the Structural Engineer (SE) exam. Please contact NCEES with any questions regarding their exams.

The PE 16-hour Structural exam will be the only exam offered in pencil-and-paper format, and it will be offered at select locations beginning with the April 2022 administration. The pencil-and-paper exam will be administered on April 21 and 22. Registration will close for examinees at 3 p.m. (ET) on February 24.


Governor Introduces Blueprint Investments for Infrastructure and Clean Transportation

Date: January 19, 2022

On January 13, Governor Gavin Newsom introduced his California Blueprint's major investments in transportation and infrastructure while visiting the Santa Clara Depot rail station—highlighting the plan's $9.1 billion in funding for climate-friendly clean transit projects that will create thousands of jobs.

The Blueprint also includes $2.3 billion to support ports and goods movement throughout the state and an additional $6.1 billion to accelerate the state's transition to zero-emission vehicles, creating a total package of $10 billion that will invest in affordable cars, clean trucks and buses.

Read more.


Federal Agency Approves Oberon Solar Project

Date: January 19, 2022

The Bureau of Land Management has approved the Oberon Solar Project, which will generate up to 500 megawatts of renewable energy and have capacity for 200 megawatts of battery storage. The project will be built on approximately 2,600 acres of BLM-managed public lands near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County, according to an agency news release.

The decision authorizes a right-of-way for Oberon Solar LLC to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a photovoltaic solar facility. The project will create 750 union construction jobs and eight permanent jobs.

The project will be located within an area analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of BLM’s Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan (DRECP) Amendment. Oberon Solar is one of three DRECP projects announced by the Department of the Interior in December 2021, which represent the first to be approved.

The Oberon Solar Project is part of the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 and meet the Energy Act of 2020 goal of permitting 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025.


USC Program Seeks to Foster More Ethical Engineers

Date: January 19, 2022

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering has launched an Engineering in Society Program to equip students with a better understanding of their ethical and civic responsibilities in connection with the practice of engineering.

The Engineering in Society Program mission is to distinguish a USC Viterbi engineering education by connecting a student's discipline with its societal impact across their undergraduate education, anchored in courses available to all students and in extra-curricular opportunities. The program also embraces a holistic approach to engineering education—grounded in the liberal arts, taught through innovative practice, cultivating character as an inherent ingredient to engineering education, and integrated with USC Viterbi's strong technical curriculum.

"We should be preparing students not only with outstanding technical competence, but also with character, which together with competence spells trust," USC Viterbi Dean Yannis C. Yortsos said. "USC Viterbi aspires to create a model engineering education that accompanies outstanding technical competence with outstanding character, thus leading to the creation of trust, sorely needed in today's world."

Specifically, the program focuses on communication skills (for undergraduates and graduates), ethics (through courses, modules, and extra curriculars), and engineering education (through teaching and research).

Read more.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.


Featured Jobs

Director of Public Works/City Engineer
Encinitas, CA

Professional and Staff Engineers
Monrovia, CA

Senior Hydro Engineer (Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical)
Dobbins, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Energy Commission Approves $1.4 Billion for Zero-Emission Transportation Plan

Date: December 15, 2021

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a three-year $1.4 billion plan to help California achieve its 2025 electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals. The plan closes the funding gap to speed up the state's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure build-out in support of Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035, according to a CEC news release.

The 2021–2023 Investment Plan Update increases the budget of the Clean Transportation Program by six times, including $1.1 billion from the 2021–2022 state budget in addition to the remaining $238 million in program funds.

The plan update focuses on a ZEV infrastructure build-out, with nearly 80% of available funding going to charging stations or hydrogen refueling. Investments are front-loaded, or allocated at the beginning of the process, to help ensure the public adoption of ZEVs is not stymied by lack of infrastructure. The update also prioritizes medium- and heavy-duty infrastructure, including funding for infrastructure for 1,000 zero-emission school buses, 1,000 zero-emission transit buses, and 1,150 zero-emission drayage trucks, which will reduce harmful air pollution in frontline communities.


Bay Area and Los Angeles High in Clean Tech

Date: December 15, 2021

A recent report that evaluated hundreds of US metro areas ranked the Bay metro area, Los Angeles, and San Diego in the top 10 cities in clean technology innovation. The Bay area placed as the No. 1 city in the rankings.

The Cleantech Innovation Hubs Survey was done by Colorado venture capital and research firm Saoradh Enterprise Partners, which ranked the nation's top 40 cities on their involvement in clean technology solutions that "improve environmental sustainability related to aggregate human welfare and functioning natural ecosystems." The national drive toward clean technology has consistently gained traction in recent years due to lawmakers' push to fight climate change.


State Licensing Board News

Date: December 15, 2021

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has released its latest newsletter—Fall 2021. Click here to access the PDF on the BPELSG website.


Infrastructure Act Will Fund Extensive Road and Bridge Repairs, Transportation Upgrades

Date: December 15, 2021

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will pay to repair and rebuild roads and bridges in California with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety for all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

There are 1,536 bridges and over 14,220 miles of highway in poor condition in California, according to the US Department of Transportation. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 14.6% in California, and on average, each driver pays $799 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. The state is expected to receive approximately $29.5 billion over five years in federal highway formula funding for highways and bridges.

In addition, California will receive about $10.3 billion over five years to improve public transportation options. Funding will also cover modernization of freight rail, increased EV charging options, airport improvements, and other infrastructure updates.


Help Create the Events You Want to Attend

Date: December 15, 2021

NSPE-CA is seeking additional members for its Events Task Force that will help decide programs through June of 2022. It's a low-commitment way to become involved in your profession and help make the organization what you want it to be.

If you are seeking a low-commitment way to become involved with NSPE-CA and help your profession, consider participating. For more information, contact Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga.


NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Operations Manager
Carson, CA

Mechanical Engineer
Livermore, CA

Senior Transportation Engineer
Oakland, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA and Education Foundation Planning for Hybrid Year

Date: November 17, 2021

The NSPE-CA and Education Foundation board of directors met in person in October for the first time in more than a year to discuss how to move forward with events, including NSPE-CA meetings and MATHCOUNTS competitions.

NSPE-CA will continue to host online events with the hope of adding in-person events sometime in 2022. MATHCOUNTS of California official chapter competitions will be online again this year, with some chapters having in-person bonus events to complement the virtual competitions if they can find a suitable venue and enough volunteers, per the National MATHCOUNTS Foundation. State and national competitions are being planned for in person. The boards also discussed how to promote engineering as a profession to MATHCOUNTS Mathletes.

In addition to the board meetings, new officers and board members for both organizations were installed. New to the boards this year are Michael Ozatalar, NSPE-CA vice president, and Kevin Wood, Education Foundation director.

California Board

(Pictured left to right): Foundation President Peter Livingston, P.E.; Foundation Director Kevin Wood; NSPE-CA Vice President Michael Ozatalar, P.E.; NSPE-CA President Joseph Quinn, P.E., and Treasurer (for both organizations) Ken Discenza, P.E. Also in attendance virtually was Foundation Director Ziliang Zhou, Ph.D.


NSPE-CA Hosts Licensing Board Q&A Session

Date: November 17, 2021

California engineering licensing board staff joined NSPE-CA members in October for a Q&A session about engineering licensure.

Mike Donelson, P.E., and Natalie King, P.E.—engineering registrars with the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG)—took questions directly from attendees via chat. Questions centered around required exams, meeting the work experience requirement, and NCEES records.

Email addresses for reaching out to the board are now by discipline, including engineers-in-training. Access the list of email addresses for contacting board staff here.

If you missed this opportunity to ask questions directly of BPELSG staff and are interested in participating in such a Q&A in the future, email NSPE-CA Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga.

BPELSG Connect Update
On November 10, the licensing board released the BPELSG Connect 3.5, which features the addition of application submittal/processing for both civil engineer and land surveyor license types, and refinements to existing application functionality.

In September 2020, the board launched Phase 1 of its new integrated application and license management system. The first phase of the system, known as BPELSG Connect, successfully transitioned the engineer-in-training (EIT) and land surveyor-in-training (LSIT) application process to an online process which can be managed both by the applicant and board staff and additionally launched a new online complaint submittal process.

In January, Phase 2 launched which included the ability for all current license holders to renew their license(s) through the Connect online portal. And in June, Phase 3 launched with functionality extending the ability for applicants to submit applications for professional engineer licenses which do not require a state exam component.


Help Create the Events You Want to Attend

Date: November 17, 2021

NSPE-CA is seeking additional members of its Events Task Force that will help decide programs through June of 2022. It's a low-commitment way to become involved in your profession and help make the organization what you want it to be.

If you are seeking a low-commitment way to become involved with NSPE-CA and help your profession, consider participating. For more information, contact Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga.


Protecting Coastal Structures and Beaches a Delicate Balancing Act

Date: November 17, 2021

In California, experts are concerned that beaches will be sacrificed for the sake of homes and businesses that are preserved by the construction of seawalls, Stateline reports. Building armoring to protect buildings merely pushes the problem to shorelines, where waves become more forceful and exacerbate erosion.

The California Coastal Commission's Coastal Act of 1976 has protected public beaches by limited shoreline armoring and prevented development of flood-vulnerable areas, but homeowners say the state needs to work harder to protect their homes. State Senator Patricia Bates introduced a bill in 2020 that would automatically approve seawall permit applications not denied by the commission within 30 days. The bill failed, but Bates has reintroduced it. Currently, 12% of California's coast is armored.


NSPE Career Center

Date: November 17, 2021

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Director of Transportation
Montebello, CA

Electric Utility Director
Roseville, CA

Mechanical Engineering Department Head
Berkeley, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA Meeting: Licensure Q&A Session

Date: October 20, 2021

Event banner

Please join NSPE–CA and the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists for a Q&A regarding licensure on Thursday, October 28 at 12 p.m. (PT).

Mike Donelson, P.E., Natalie King, P.E., and BPELSG staff will be participating in the Zoom meeting. The registration fee for NSPE-CA members is $10 and $25 for nonmembers. Access registration for the meeting here.

Mike Donelson, P.E.
Mike Donelson, P.E.

Natalie King, P.E.
Natalie King, P.E.

Sponsored by NSPE-CA and BPELSG


Meet the NSPE-CA Leadership Team

Date: October 20, 2021

Board of Directors 2021-2023

Joseph Quinn, P.E.
President

Joseph Quinn, P.E.

Joseph Quinn is the owner of Materials FACT, a failure analysis consulting business located in Los Angeles. He holds three degrees in the fields of materials science and engineering and has provided well over 1,000 investigations on metallic and non-metallic (glass, plastic, rubber, and composite) materials or products in litigation, subrogation, insurance claims, and industrial incidents. Quinn is very active in technical societies and industry organizations and is a licensed metallurgical engineer in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Washington.

Michael Ozatalar, P.E.
Vice President

Michael Ozatalar, P.E.

Michael Ozatalar has been with Parsons for 30 years and has held several key leadership roles within the company. Currently, he is the manager of engineering and is responsible for all engineering staff and services in Parsons Federal Systems, which performs over $1 billion in annual revenue for the federal cyber and intelligence; infrastructure and environment; logistics, security, and training; and engineering and technical services markets.

Ken Discenza, P.E., F.NSPE
Treasurer

Ken Discenza, P.E., F.NSPE

Ken Discenza is a licensed civil engineer with over 40 years in the land development field. He has provided project engineering and management during the planning, design, and construction phases of numerous projects involving residential, commercial, and industrial development. Discenza has worked in Southern California as a professional engineer since 1980 when he established Site Design Associates Inc. He has been a volunteer for MATHCOUNTS for more than 30 years.

Staff

Jeanne Marie Tokunaga
Executive Director, NSPE-CA and CSPE Education Foundation

Jeanne Marie Tokunaga

Jeanne Marie Tokunaga is an associations professional with more than 25 years of experience in the areas of program management, communications, and executive management. She has a bachelor of arts in journalism and began her career as a daily newspaper journalist.


Governor Signs Military Licensure Reciprocity Bill

Date: October 20, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation (AB 107) that permits licensing boards in California to issue temporary licenses to military personnel, veterans, and military spouses/domestic partners within 30 days of receiving required documentation.

Starting on July 1, 2023, boards operating under the Department of Consumer Affairs can provide the temporary licenses for one year if the applicant holds a current license in another jurisdiction and is in good standing with the licensing entity. The temporary license can be revoked if the licensee engages in unprofessional conduct or any act that requires discipline by a board.

An applicant seeking a temporary license as a civil engineer, geotechnical engineer, structural engineer, land surveyor, professional geologist, professional geophysicist, certified engineering geologist, or certified hydrogeologist must successfully pass the appropriate California-specific examination or examinations required for licensure by the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

Earlier this year, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying began allowing active-duty military and their spouses to transmit their NCEES Record to a state licensing board at no charge when military orders require them to relocate to that state.

The NCEES Record is a verified compilation of an individual’s official academic transcripts, full employment history, professional references, and exam results. Once established, the Record includes most—if not all—of the materials needed to apply for comity licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.


Historic Power Plant Transformed into Educational STEAM Museum in Sacramento

A 119-year-old power station on the banks of the Sacramento River has been transformed into the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Museum of Science and Curiosity in a $52 million project, Comstock Magazine reports.

The registered historic building sat vacant for over 50 years; the museum is scheduled to open this fall. Its mission is to teach children and people of all ages about the wonders of math, science, engineering, and art through hands-on learning. The project is the result of a public-private collaboration and is envisioned to be part of the transformation of Sacramento's waterfront.

More information on the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity is available on the museum website.


NSPE Career Center

Date: October 20, 2021

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Transportation Engineer
Oakland, CA

Engineering Services Manager, Department of Public Works
San Joaquin, CA

Assistant Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Fullerton, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Attention: Civil Engineering and Land Surveyor Exam Applicants

Date: September 15, 2021

To ease the transition from its legacy system to the new BPELSG Connect online portal, the state licensing board will temporarily suspend acceptance of both initial and re-exam applications for the civil engineer and professional land surveyor licenses during the month of October 2021. Any paper applications, initial and re-exam, for these two license types received after September 30, will be returned to the sender in its entirety.

The board anticipates beginning November 1, that all initial and re-exam applications for the civil engineer and professional land surveyor licenses will be submitted and processed online through BPELSG Connect. Applicants that have previously submitted paper applications and are currently in review within the legacy system will continue to be processed in that manner without change until such time as the applicant submits payment and a request to sit for any of the civil engineering exams or the land surveyor exam.

State Licensing Board Meeting
The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting September 16-17. Access the meeting agenda and materials here.


State Lawmakers Lay the Groundwork for West Coast Offshore Wind Development

Date: September 15, 2021

The California State Legislature passed a bill that would direct state regulators to lay the groundwork for developing wind energy resources off the West Coast, according to Utility Dive.

The legislation (AB 525) instructs regulators to create 2030 and 2045 goals for offshore wind, as well as a broader strategic plan for developing the resource. The legislation would require the California Energy Commission to submit a plan to state lawmakers by June 2023.

Experts say the bill will help organize the moving pieces needed to set up the state's offshore wind sector. "This is just a new technology and it's sort of a chicken-and-egg situation—if you build it, building more will become cheaper," said Mohit Chhabra, senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in the Utility Dive article.

The legislation comes on the heels of an effort announced by the Biden administration this year to bring online up to 4.6 GW of floating wind off the West coast. In total, the administration is looking to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind around the country by the end of the decade.

Read more.


Major California Battery Outage Highlights Energy Storage Risks

Date: September 15, 2021

A massive US battery storage project is offline in California, stoking reliability and safety questions about a technology that will be crucial to meeting future clean electricity goals, according to EnergyWire.

The overheating of battery modules on Labor Day weekend affected a 300-megawatt facility at Vistra Corp.'s Moss Landing energy storage site. But the implications go beyond any one state, company, or project. That's because energy storage offers one path to help offset the intermittency of fast-growing renewable energy capacity. A reliability problem with batteries is among the factors that could hamper the Biden administration's efforts to decarbonize the US power sector by 2035, not to mention countless midcentury state and corporate clean energy goals.

Experts caution that adjustments—from battery chemistry to management systems—may be needed to ensure large battery sites can stay online, especially as their role on the grid grows. There's hope the industry will rise to the challenge, though changes come with costs.

"I do not think we should understate the importance of safety," said Kelsey Hatzell, an assistant professor at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University who studies batteries. "But I am optimistic that we can engineer for safety."

Read more.


Explore New Opportunities

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director
Chico, CA

Civil Engineer – Water Resources
Sacramento, CA

Senior Civil Engineer (Hiring Incentive of $20,000)
Salinas, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Show Your PE Pride!

Date: August 19, 2021

NSPE-CA members recently celebrated the contributions of the profession during the sixth annual PE Day. But don't wait until next year's national event to show off this commitment to the profession. NSPE President Rick Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE, believes that proud members of the NSPE community can do so in the following ways all year round:

  • Introduce yourselves as Licensed Professional Engineers
  • Get to know your fellow PEs
  • Use #ProudPE in your communications and social media posts

Take Your Leadership Skills to the Next Level

Date: August 19, 2021

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession.

Build Your Leadership Skills

There are several volunteer openings—with a variety of time commitments—available for 2021-2022.

  • Help decide on event topics—This can be as simple as voting on a series of choices, to actively looking for speakers, to being a speaker yourself.
  • Boost a social event—From simply greeting attendees at a luncheon, to finding and booking a venue.
  • Build buzz on social media—This can be as easy as reposting or responding to a post, to creating new post topics in the NSPE-CA Online Community.
  • Serve as a Regional Lead—Help put together events in your region.
  • Design your own opportunity—Let us know how you'd like to engage.

I’m interested in volunteering.


San Diego Recognized for QBS Commitment

Date: August 19, 2021

The City of San Diego was selected as a 2021 QBS Award recipient in the state/city government category. The QBS Awards are cosponsored by NSPE and ACEC to recognize public and private entities that make exemplary use of the qualifications-based selection process at the federal, state, and local levels.

QBS Award recipients serve as examples of how well the qualifications-based selection process works, and they help NSPE and ACEC promote the procurement practice in jurisdictions that do not use, or underuse, QBS to procure engineering services.


State Licensing Board News

Date: August 19, 2021

Department of Consumer Affairs

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has released its latest newsletter—Summer 2021.
Click here to access the PDF on the BPELSG website.


Energy Commission Adopts Updated Energy Code

Date: August 19, 2021

The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently adopted the 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) for newly constructed and renovated buildings that will produce benefits to support the state's public health, climate, and clean energy goals.

As the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, the CEC adopts standards every three years to cost-effectively increase the energy efficiency and lower the carbon footprint of buildings. Homes and businesses use nearly 70% of California's electricity and are responsible for a quarter of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2022 Energy Code focuses on four key areas in newly constructed homes and businesses

  • Encouraging electric heat pump technology for space and water heating, which consumes less energy and produces fewer emissions than gas-powered units.
  • Establishing electric-ready requirements for single-family homes to position owners to use cleaner electric heating, cooking, and electric vehicle (EV) charging options whenever they choose to adopt those technologies.
  • Expanding solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery storage standards to make clean energy available onsite and complement the state's progress toward a 100% clean electricity grid.
  • Strengthening ventilation standards to improve indoor air quality.

The 2022 update will be submitted to the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), which is scheduled to consider it in December 2021. If approved by the CBSC, it would go into effect on January 1, 2023 to give builders, contractors, and other interested parties a year to gear up for the changes.

Read more.


What's in the Infrastructure Package for California?

Date: August 19, 2021

US Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla released statements following the Senate's passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to highlight the investments that will benefit California.

The following are some of the investments that are featured in the legislation

  • Roads and bridges: $110 billion for highways, roads, and bridges, including $40 billion of new funding for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation, $16 billion for major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs, and $7.5 billion in the RAISE (formerly BUILD) grant program. The funds are critical for California, which has 1,536 bridges and more than 14,220 miles of highway in poor condition.
  • Transit: $39 billion in new spending for public transit. These funds would help complete projects in high-traffic areas such as the Bay Area and Los Angeles, including $8 billion for the Capital Investment Grant Program.
  • Broadband: $65 billion to expand and improve on the access, stability, and speed of internet throughout the country.
  • Clean energy: $73 billion for clean energy programs including $65 billion for electric grid infrastructure and $19 billion to deal with orphaned oil wells.
  • Airports, ports, and waterways: $17 billion for port infrastructure improvements and $25 billion for airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs; reduce congestion and emissions near ports and airports; and use cleaner, electric, and other low-carbon technologies.
  • Wildfire mitigation programs: $3.3 billion for wildfire risk reduction efforts including hazardous fuels reduction, controlled burns, community wildfire defense grants, collaborative landscape forest restoration projects and funding for firefighting resources.
  • Water storage: $1.15 billion for water storage projects to hold more water in wet years and after major storms for use by communities and for environmental benefit.
  • Desalination: $250 million for desalination projects to provide a drought-proof water supply and demonstrate improving desalination technologies.

Explore New Opportunities

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Engineer
Santa Rosa, CA

Construction Manager
Long Beach, CA

Public Works Director
Bakersfield, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Take Your Leadership Skills to the Next Level

Date: July 21, 2021

NSPE-CA is looking for members who want to guide the future of their professional society and engage with their profession.

Build Your Leadership Skills

There are several volunteer openings—with a variety of time commitments—available for 2021-2022.

  • Help decide on event topics—This can be as simple as voting on a series of choices, to actively looking for speakers, to being a speaker yourself.
  • Boost a social event—From simply greeting attendees at a luncheon, to finding and booking a venue.
  • Build buzz on social media—This can be as easy as reposting or responding to a post, to creating new post topics in the NSPE-CA Online Community.
  • Serve as a Regional Lead—Help put together events in your region.
  • Design your own opportunity—Let us know how you'd like to engage.

I'm interested in volunteering.


Licensees Beware—Fraud Alert

Date: July 21, 2021

The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has learned of an attempted fraud scheme aimed at licensees of DCA's boards and bureaus and issued an alert on July 8.

In the scheme, scam artists identify themselves as DCA, board, or bureau staff members or investigators and notify the licensee that they are under investigation, that their license may be suspended, or that an arrest warrant has been issued in the licensee’s name, and then they will demand money.

In some instances, scam artists identify themselves as other entities including local police, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The callers may be "spoofing" DCA/board/bureau telephone numbers to make the calls appear to be coming from DCA or the board/bureau.

DCA/board/bureau staff members or investigators will never contact licensees demanding money or payment of any form or personalized information without conducting an official investigation or inquiry. If you receive such a call, please refuse the demand for payment.

Read more.


Governor Newsom Signs $100 Billion 'Comeback Plan' Legislation

Date: July 21, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the $100 Billion California Comeback Plan legislative package on July 12. The legislation (S.B. 129) targets the COVID-19 pandemic, transportation and infrastructure projects, housing affordability, public education, and challenges around wildfires and climate change with major investments designed to bolster the state's recovery.

Here are highlights from the plan

  • A $120 million California Competes Tax Credit grant program to incentivize businesses to relocate to the state.
  • A $3.4 billion General Fund for high-priority transportation projects throughout the state.
  • $2 billion to support the advancement of priority State Highway Operation and Protection Program projects, Interregional Transportation Improvement Program projects, and local road and bridge investments.
  • A $3.9 billion package to hit fast-forward on our zero-emissions vehicle goals.
  • Investment of $5.1 billion over four years in drought support, water supply and natural habitat restoration projects around the state to build climate resilience in the face of more extreme cycles of wet and dry.
  • A $6 billion investment to ensure that Californians have access to broadband coverage, particularly unserved households in remote areas.

Read more.


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: July 21, 2021

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold its next meeting on Friday, July 23 (beginning at 9 a.m.).

Access the meeting materials here.


How California’s Droughts Lead to Other Disasters

Each year, California and the Southwest break new records for droughts and high temperatures, which bring damaging heat waves, wildfires, and even flooding.

This PBS Nova segment explores how these catastrophes operate together—and how engineers are working on new technologies to help us survive.

Listen to the segment or read the transcript.


Engineering in Action Series Addresses Transportation Equity

Date: July 21, 2021

As part of a renewed commitment to increase equity and diversity in the fields of engineering and computer science, the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering hosted the second of a three-part "Engineering in Action" series designed to address issues of inclusion and fairness.

As with the first event that focused on equity in artificial intelligence, the engineering school collaborated with the UCLA chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers to hold the webinar on transportation equity.

The hour-long discussion featured three multidisciplinary panelists including Eric Avila, a professor of Chicano studies and urban planning at UCLA; Cris Liban, P.E., chief sustainability officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and Regan Patterson, a transportation equity research fellow at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington D.C.

Mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Veronica Santos, who is also UCLA Samueli's associate dean of equity, diversity and inclusion and faculty affairs, hosted the event. The panel discussion was moderated by Audrey Pool O'Neal, director of Women in Engineering at UCLA and an adjunct professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Attended by more than 100 people from around the world, the virtual event addressed issues of equity and justice in transportation policy in Los Angeles, and ways to ensure a more holistic approach to transportation and infrastructure decisions.

Read more.


Explore New Opportunites

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Senior Engineer
San Jose, CA

Mechanical Engineer
Los Angeles, CA

Civil Engineers-Construction Engineering
San Diego, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Society Board of Directors and Annual Membership Meeting

All NSPE-CA members are invited to attend the NSPE-CA Board of Directors and Annual Membership Meeting on Friday, June 18 (2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. PT).

Please join us to learn more about your association, including how you can develop your leadership skills by becoming more involved.

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Licensing Board Launches Next Phase of Licensing Portal

Date: June 16, 2021

The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has introduced the third phase of its new application and licensing portal designed to promote effective connection between the board and its applicants and license holders.

Initial functionality allows for overall application management by pplicants for professional engineer licenses in the disciplines of agricultural, chemical, control system, electrical, fire protection, industrial, mechanical, metallurgical, nuclear, and petroleum engineering, encompassing the initial user profile creation and application submittal with direct connection with board staff, through to the issuance of the PE license.

The board looks forward to extending this functionality to include applications for the remaining license types in the near future.


US DOT Restores Funding for California High-Speed Rail Project

Date: June 16, 2021

On June 10, Governor Gavin Newsome announced that the US Department of Transportation and the state finalized settlement negotiations to restore $929 million in federal grant funding to California's high-speed rail project. The action comes after months of negotiations to restore funding that was previously rescinded by the Trump Administration in 2019.

The high-speed rail project is under construction along 119 miles in the Central Valley with more than 35 active construction sites and an average of 1,100 workers a day on the various job sites. Restoration of the grant funding will aid the High-Speed Rail Authority in their effort to complete the initial operating segment of the nation's first high-speed rail system.


California's Biggest Heat Wave of the Year Heightens Drought and Fire Fears

Date: June 16, 2021

With a worsening drought gripping the West and wildfire season looming, California is bracing for the most severe heat wave of the year—one that promises to tax the state's power supplies while also offering a grim preview of challenging months to come, according to a Los Angeles Times article.

The heat wave will bring triple-digit temperatures to the valleys and inland regions of Southern California as well as many parts of the rest of the state, heightening fire risks. It comes as parts of Northern and Central California are turning to water restrictions as the drought rapidly alters the landscape.

In Lake Oroville over Memorial Day weekend, dozens of houseboats sat on cinder blocks because there wasn't enough water to hold them. At Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, the water level dropped to about 1,072 feet—a low not seen since it was filled in the 1930s.

The Colorado River, where the reservoir is located, supplies water for 40 million people in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Officials said its water level could fall even farther.

Read more.


Share the Value of Society Membership

Date: June 16, 2021

Professional engineers have unique skills and knowledge and carry an obligation to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. NSPE and the California Society of Professional Engineers are dedicated to supporting these professionals throughout their careers.

NSPE and NSPE-CA help PEs to stay current on the latest in engineering through leadership training, networking, and ethical guidance, all to safeguard the wellbeing of the public and navigate the new challenges that engineers confront daily. NSPE-CA members are encouraged to share the value of membership at the national, state, and local levels when engaging with their peers.

Learn more about membership benefits.


Explore Career Opportunities

Date: June 16, 2021

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Director of Public Works & Utilities
Pateluma, CA

Dam Safety Initiatives Program Manager
Los Angeles, CA

Transportation Engineer: Safety Focus
All CA Offices

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Upcoming Society Board of Directors and Annual Membership Meeting

Date: May 19, 2021

All NSPE-CA members are welcome to attend the NSPE-CA Board of Directors and Annual Membership meeting on Friday, June 18 (3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. PT).

Please join us to learn more about your association, including how you can develop your leadership skills by becoming more involved.

Save the date.


The Reliance Advantage Webinars

Date: May 19, 2021

A coalition of California government and business organizations have joined forces to present a free webinar series that will feature leading experts in structural engineering, seismology, architecture, business, construction, development, financing, government, law & risk management.

Featured Webinars


Governor Releases $100 Billion California 'Comeback Plan'

Date: May 19, 2021

The plan outlines funding goals for infrastructure and climate change projects

On May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom released a $100 Billion California Comeback Plan with strategies and major investments in key areas to fast forward the state's recovery. The plan addresses the COVID-19 pandemic, housing affordability, public education, infrastructure projects, and challenges around wildfires and climate change.

Here are highlights from the plan

  • A $7 billion investment to expand broadband infrastructure and to increase access and achieve affordability.
  • A $11 billion investment to build a modernized and sustainable transportation system for the next century—roads, bridges, high-speed rail, ports, and public transportation, including projects for the 2028 Olympics.
  • $2 billion in emergency preparedness investments to deal with wildfires, which includes purchasing new firefighting equipment like airplanes and helicopters, as well as investments in land and forest management projects that save lives.
  • A $3.2 billion package to accelerate California’s zero-emission vehicle goals and a $1.3 billion investment to prepare for extreme heat, sea level rise and environmental justice priorities like oil well capping, toxic site clean-up and pollution control.
  • A $5.1 billion in drought support, water supply and natural landscape projects around the state.

Read more.


Can California's Transportation System Meet Its Carbon-Neutral Goals by 2045?

Date: May 19, 2021

The University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (UC ITS) was selected to lead a study focusing on strategies to transition California's transportation system to a carbon-neutral basis by 2045, including transitioning to zero emission vehicles, accelerating the use of alternative fuel sources, and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

UC ITS has released a final report that outlines scenarios, assumptions, and related strategies, tools, options, tradeoffs and benefits for areas where action can be taken now. It also identifies where additional actions, targets, policies, research and technology development are needed in the medium and longer term.

The policy options outlined in the study, when combined, could lead to a zero-carbon transportation system by 2045, while also improving equity, health, and the economy.

Access the report.


State Licensing Board Meeting

Date: May 19, 2021

The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists will hold a meeting on Thursday, May 27 at 9 a.m. If necessary, the meeting will continue Friday, May 28.

Individuals that would like to participate or observe the meeting on May 27 can log on to this website (May 28 website).

Access the meeting agenda.


NSPE Career Center

Date: May 19, 2021

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Mechanical Engineer
San Francisco, CA

Senior Engineer
Los Angeles, CA

Public Works Director
Los Altos Hills, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Free Virtual Session: How to Apply for a Caltrans Engineering Job

NSPE-CA has partnered with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to provide a free virtual program on how to apply for an engineering job at the agency. This event will take place on Thursday, April 29 at noon (PST).

Caltrans human resources professionals will provide insight on the state hiring process, and engineers will be available to answer questions about working for the agency.

Caltrans Engineering Job Event

Caltrans District 4 (Oakland-Bay Area) will soon be seeking to fill a significant number of engineering positions. This virtual program is ideal for recent and soon-to-be engineering grads.

Register by April 28.


Governor Newsom Calls for Bold Federal Action on Clean Vehicles

Date: April 22, 2021

On April 21, Governor Gavin Newsom joined a coalition of governors asking the Biden Administration to bolster its climate change agenda by ensuring that all new vehicles sold in the US will be zero-emission in the near future.

A letter to the Biden Administration outlines the states' ambitious zero-emission vehicle commitments and progress toward transportation electrification, including California's order requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state must be zero-emission by 2035.The governors want that same standard nationwide for all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks and all new medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles sold to be zero-emission by 2045.

Recognizing that a growing number of automakers are pledging to produce exclusively zero-emission vehicles, the governors underscored the importance of strong federal support to capitalize on the opportunity for the nation to lead in the global ZEV marketplace. ZEVs are California's top export, and the industry has created 70,000 jobs in the state.

The governors also highlighted how American Jobs Plan investments could be used to support the growing ZEV market through scaling up the development of ZEV charging and fueling infrastructure, enhancing the investments already made by states.


NSPE Career Center

Date: April 22, 2021

NSPE's Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today's top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Public Works Director
Palo Verdes Estates, CA

Senior Civil Engineer
Los Angeles, CA

Systems Engineer
Benicia, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA Presents Ethics Panel Featuring NSPE Contest Winners

Date: March 17, 2021

Prepare to navigate the ethical challenges you may encounter in your engineering career by attending this NSPE-CA ethics panel and Q&A session. In this free lunchtime virtual session on March 25 (12 p.m.-1 p.m. PT), you will gain insight into navigating ethical dilemmas as two winners of NSPE’s Milton F. Lunch Ethics Contest share their winning submissions.

Linda H. Bergeron, P.E., FAIChE, CCPSC, will present Public Health and Safety — Building Codes to Address Environmental Risk (2019). She is a senior process engineer with Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) in chlor-alkali chemical manufacturing at the Taft, Louisiana facility.

Beth Fifield Hodgson, P.E., will present Public Health, Safety, and Welfare—Driverless/Autonomous Vehicle (2017). She is the principal engineer of Spring Environmental based in Spokane, Washington.


Upcoming Society Board of Directors Meeting

Date: March 17, 2021

All NSPE-CA members are welcome to attend the next NSPE-CA board meeting on April 16 (3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m). Please join us to learn more about your association, including how you can develop your leadership skills by becoming more involved.

Join the Meeting
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/215524845

You can also dial in using your phone: United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Meeting Access Code: 215-524-845


Caltrans Releases Transportation Plan 2050

Date: March 17, 2021

Caltrans has released the California Transportation Plan (CTP) 2050 to provide a roadmap for achieving a safe, resilient, and universally accessible transportation system. The objective of the plan is to support vibrant communities, advance racial and economic justice, and improve public and environmental health.

By 2050, California is estimated to be home to six million new residents. Approximately a quarter of the population will be over 65, and the state will become even more racially and ethnically diverse. These and other changes will impact where people live, how they travel, and the transportation options they require to meet evolving needs and preferences.

The CTP 2050 does the following:

  • Provides a unifying and foundational policy framework for making effective, transparent, and transformational transportation decisions in California;
  • Addresses the varied transportation needs of urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities; and
  • Emphasizes implementation and identifies a timeline, roles, and responsibilities for each plan recommendation.

The CTP does not contain projects, but policies and strategies required to close the gap between what the regional transportation plans aim to achieve and how much more is required to meet 2050 goals.

Access the plan.


California’s Future STEM Leaders

Date: March 17, 2021

$650K NSF Grant Funds First-Gen Scholar Initiative at Azusa Pacific University

California’s growing technological workforce is driving demand for qualified professionals with STEM degrees. Yet low-income, first-generation college students interested in these career fields often encounter barriers. Azusa Pacific University is taking steps to change that with the assistance of a $650,000 National Science Foundation S-STEM grant to recruit, retain, and graduate high-achieving, low-income, first-generation students called to make a difference as computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and physicists.

“This NSF S-STEM grant enables APU, a designated R2 research institution, to deepen its commitment to engaging underserved students in a high level of research with faculty members who are leaders in their industries, which translates to richer learning opportunities and better marketability upon graduation,” said President Paul Ferguson, PhD, DABT. “Recruiting, supporting, and graduating the next generation of STEM professionals supports the university’s strategic plan to become a university destination of choice for a diverse body of students, reflecting inclusive academic excellence.”

The NSF S-STEM scholarship grant funds APU’s five-year STEM scholar initiative and research study to improve college accessibility and support for promising students with demonstrated financial need who are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics.

Read more.


NSPE Career Center

Date: March 17, 2021

NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Water Resources Engineer
Irvine, CA

Senior Air Quality Engineer
Fresno, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE-CA Focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Date: February 17, 2021

NSPE-CA recently partnered with the San Diego County Engineering Council to host a panel discussion on the challenges people of color and other underrepresented communities face when trying to break through the known and unknown barriers in the engineering field.

The panel featured members of NSPE’s Advisory Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Chair Jacquelyn Brooks, P.E., Richard Easley, and Kerrie Greenfelder, P.E., shared their personal experiences. The program was recorded and is available for viewing free of charge (no registration required).

Watch the discussion.


Upcoming Society Board of Directors Meeting

Date: February 17, 2021

All NSPE-CA members are welcome to attend the next NSPE-CA Board of Directors meeting on Friday, February 19 (3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. PT). Please join us to learn more about your association, including how you can develop your leadership skills by becoming more involved.

Join the Meeting
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
You can also dial in using your phone: United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Meeting Access Code: 215-524-845


Get Ready for Engineers Week!

Date: February 17, 2021

DiscoverE

Engineers Week is a time to celebrate the important work of engineers and engage the next generation of innovators. Even with social distancing, you can make a difference. Here are a few activities that will be of interest to NSPE-CA members.

Future of Engineering
Join NSPE leaders Tricia Hatley, P.E., F.NSPE and Rick Guerra, P.E., F.NSPE, as they discuss the future of engineering and how our changing world will impact the profession during a free webinar on Monday, February 22 (1 p.m.-2p.m. ET/10 a.m.-11 a.m. PT). Webinar participants can earn one professional development hour.

San Diego Engineers Week Festival Program (February 22-26)
This is a free event that will celebrate the contributions of engineers with various activities throughout the week for professional engineers and K-12 and college students.

2021 NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year Award Webcast
NSPE celebrates the 2021 federal agency winners, the Top 10 Finalists, and announces the 2021 NSPE Federal Engineer of the Year via pre-recorded webcast on Wednesday, February 24 at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on the NSPE website and YouTube channel.

NSPE Trivia Hour
Cap off your Engineers Week with some Friday fun. Join your peers for a lively game of trivia on Friday, February 26 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. The cost is just $15 for members or $25 for non-members. Sign up to show off your trivia knowledge—or just to play a fun game with new friends.


Building Resilient Communities in California

Date: February 17, 2021

A coalition of California government and business organizations have joined forces to present a free webinar series to share expertise on preparing for natural disasters. The webinars will feature view interviews and discussions with leading experts in structural engineering, seismology, architecture, business, construction, development, financing, government, law & risk management.

Featured Webinars


State Licensing Board News

Date: February 17, 2021

Department of Consumer Affairs

The California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has released its latest newsletter—Winter 2020.

Click here to access the PDF on the BPELSG website.


NSPE Career Center

Date: February 17, 2021

NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Structural Engineer
Los Angeles, CA

Senior Civil Engineer
Salinas, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Licensing Board Introduces Second Phase of Licensing Portal

Date: January 27, 2021

The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has introduced the second phase of its new application and licensing portal designed to promote effective connection between the board and its applicants and license holders. License renewals are now available for all eligible licenses plus refinements to the current EIT/LSIT application processes.

Register for BPELSG Connect here.


State Issues Final Report on Causes of August Rolling Outages

Date: January 27, 2021

The California Independent System Operator, California Public Utilities Commission, and California Energy Commission issued a final root cause analysis of the August 2020 heat wave and rotating outages.

CAISO was forced to institute rotating electricity outages in California on August 14 and 15, 2020, in the midst of an extreme heat wave. Following these emergency events, Gov. Gavin Newsom requested the agencies report on the root causes of the events leading to the outages.

The Final Root Cause Analysis confirms the preliminary report’s findings that the three major factors leading to the August outages were related to extreme weather conditions, resource adequacy and planning processes, and market practices.

Read more.


Transportation Institute Analyzes CA Transportation Revenue Possibilities

Date: January 27, 2021

Drastic changes to travel behavior during the pandemic have decreased fuel tax revenue, but the extent and timing of financial recovery in the years to come remain uncertain. New Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) research, The Impact of the COVID-19 Recovery on California Transportation Revenue: A Scenario Analysis through 2040, estimates the impact the COVID-19 pandemic would have on state-generated transportation revenue under six potential economic recovery scenarios, projecting future transportation revenue in California through 2040.

The six scenarios vary by several variables, including the length of the economic downturn and differences in transportation trends such as vehicle miles traveled (VMT), light-duty fleet size, and the mix of internal-combustion engine (ICE) vs. zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). These projections only consider revenue collected by the state through California Senate Bill 1: The Road Repair Accountability Act (SB1).

Read more.


Will California-Las Vegas High Speed Line Construction Start in the Spring?

Date: January 27, 2021

High-speed rail company Brightline West hopes to begin construction of its $8.4 billion, 168-mile California–Las Vegas high speed line in the second quarter of 2021.

Work on the project was originally scheduled to begin at the end of 2020, but was delayed due to a failure to source buyers for $2.4 billion of private bonds, according to a Railway Age article. The bonds, approved for the project by the states of California ($600 million) and Nevada ($200 million), were later repurposed to support affordable housing projects in the two states.

Read more.


Making Masks Smarter and Safer Against COVID-19

Date: January 27, 2021

A new tool for monitoring COVID-19 may one day be right under your nose. Researchers at the University of California San Diego are developing a color-changing test strip that can be stuck on a mask and used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in a person’s breath or saliva.

The project, which received $1.3 million from the National Institutes of Health, is aimed at providing simple, affordable and reliable surveillance for COVID-19 infections that can be done daily and easily implemented in resource-poor settings. It is part of the NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Radical (RADx-rad) program for COVID-19.

“In many ways, masks are the perfect ‘wearable’ sensor for our current world,” said Jesse Jokerst, professor of nanoengineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and lead principal investigator of the project. “We’re taking what many people are already wearing and repurposing them so we can quickly and easily identify new infections and protect vulnerable communities.”

Read more.


NSPE Career Center

Date: January 27, 2021

NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

The latest California jobs are pulled from the NSPE Job Board and appear on the NSPE-CA website. New career opportunities are also posted through NSPE-CA social media profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Featured Jobs
Resident Engineer
Ventura, CA

Public Works Director/City Engineer
Menifee, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

Mailed License Renewal Notices Are Going Away

Date: December 16, 2020

Watch for notices from the licensing board to register in new online system.

A message from the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists:

As many of you know, in early 2020 the board initiated the development of a new application/licensing system designed to facilitate the submittal of applications and management of license(s) through an online portal, known as BPELSG Connect. The first release resulting from this development launched in September 2020 with online engineer-in-training and land surveyor-in-training applications in addition to online complaint submittals.

The board anticipates that renewal of existing licenses will be included in the next release, which is scheduled to occur in early 2021. Traditionally, license holders have become accustomed to receiving a renewal notification in the mail around 30-60 days prior to their license renewal date, on a biennial basis. These notices are printed and mailed by a state agency, through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on behalf of the board. Due to circumstances outside of the board’s or DCA’s control, this other agency will discontinue production and distribution of the printed renewal notices sometime during 2021.

Once renewal functionality in the next release of BPELSG Connect becomes publicly available, it will be imperative for each individual license holder to register a new profile in the system as soon as possible to ensure that future renewal notices are received by each license holder in a timely and efficient manner.

It is anticipated that during registration, the license holder will:

  • Confirm contact information including address of record
  • Link their profile to their existing license(s)
  • Verify receipt of a confirmation email

The board believes that this initial process should only require approximately 10 minutes of the license holder’s time to complete and will be well worth that time to ensure that each license holder is properly served in an effective manner during this transition.

PE application and renewal fees increase on January 1
The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is increasing PE application fees from $125 to $175 and renewal fees from $115 to $180, beginning January 1, 2021.

The board is standardizing fees for services to all professions it regulates and is addressing the structural imbalances in its budget to ensure future solvency. It has also clarified under what circumstances certificates, including duplicate certificates, will be issued. This regulatory action becomes effective on January 1, 2021.

Access the full text of the changes (in the links under the second paragraph).


California Commission Approves $2 Billion for Infrastructure Projects

Date: December 16, 2020

The California Transportation Commission has approved $2 billion for 56 new projects, some of which aim to improve the movement of goods and reduce congestion. These projects are supported by three programs that were created by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, according to a Transport Topics article.

The legislation, also known as Senate Bill 1, raised the tax for diesel by 20 cents to 36 cents per gallon and for gasoline by 12 cents to 41.7 cents per gallon. “These projects are going to benefit California in multiple important ways,” said Commission Chairman Hilary Norton. “This will be a game changer for transportation in California, especially as the state moves toward making travel on all of these modes cleaner.”

Read more.


State to Offer $500 Million in COVID-19 Business Relief Funds

Date: December 16, 2020

More financial relief is on the way for businesses taking repeated hits from the COVID-19 pandemic, under a series of programs announced by Governor Gavin Newsom.

California is developing a new $500 million Covid Relief Grant program for small businesses impacted by the pandemic, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. The program would provide grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses and nonprofits. The funds would be distributed through community development financial institutions and could arrive by early next year, according to the governor’s office.

Read more.


Pathway to 100% Clean Electricity Begins to Take Shape, but Reliability Concerns Persist

Date: December 16, 2020

The California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and California Air Resources Board released a draft report on getting to a 2045 clean electricity portfolio, which indicated that the goal is technically achievable, according to a Utility Dive article.

But multiple stakeholders raised the need to think hard about system reliability at a joint agency workshop, including Jim Shetler, general manager at the Balancing Authority of Northern California. “[W]e support California’s greenhouse gas reduction goals as defined in SB 100—with the understanding that implementation needs to be balanced against the equally important requirements of safety, reliability and affordability,” Shetler said.

Read more.


A Jump Start on the Hydrogen Fuel Economy

Date: December 16, 2020

Since President George W. Bush fueled a minivan with hydrogen 15 years ago, the promise of cars and trucks powered by the fuel has come up mostly empty. That hydrogen pump, in Washington, closed long ago. But in California, the beginnings of a hydrogen economy may finally be dawning after many fits and starts, according to a New York Times report.

Dozens of hydrogen buses are lumbering down city streets, while more and larger fueling stations are appearing from San Diego to San Francisco, financed by the state and federal governments. With the costs of producing and shipping hydrogen coming down, California is setting ambitious goals to phase out vehicles that run on fossil fuels in favor of batteries and hydrogen. Large auto and energy companies like Toyota Motor and Royal Dutch Shell have committed to supplying more cars and fueling stations.

“In past cycles, there was always something missing,” said Matthew Blieske, Shell’s global hydrogen product manager. “There was a policy missing, or the technology wasn’t quite ready, or people were not so serious about decarbonization. We don’t see those barriers anymore.”

Read more.

A recent San Francisco Chronicle article also highlights the growth in advocacy for hydrogen powered cars.


NSPE Career Center

Date: December 16, 2020

NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.

Featured Jobs
Deputy Director, Transportation Authority
San Carlos, CA

Federal Program Manager – USACE
Los Angeles, CA

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

In Response to Pandemic, NCEES Schedules Regional Testing for PE Civil Exam

Date: November 18, 2020

To accommodate as many pencil-and-paper examinees as safely as possible, NCEES has added a regional exam administration on January 26, 2021, for PE Civil examinees only. Pomona, California will serve as a host city.

Registration for the regional PE Civil exam administration opened on November 1, 2020, and closes on December 14, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. EST. The exam will be administered in Pomona and the following cities: Phoenix, AZ; Denver, CO; Groton, CT; Orlando, FL; Topeka, KS; Louisville, KY; Minneapolis, MN; Raleigh, NC; Las Vegas, NV; Cleveland, OH; Salem, OR; Houston, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; and Seattle, WA.

Additional cities may be added. Visit the NCEES website for details.


Welcome to our newest professional members!

Date: November 18, 2020

Lawrence Garlit, P.E.
Kevin Pezzoni, P.E.


Long Beach Named a Top STEM City

Date: November 18, 2020

Long Beach, California was recognized as a 2020 Top STEM City for being a community showcasing exceptional dedication to science, technology, engineering, and math education and careers.

The data science team at Insurify (an insurance quotes comparison site) analyzed both proprietary and publicly accessible data to determine the top STEM city in each state. The team identified cities with the highest proportion of residents in STEM-based careers and compiled data from Niche on the colleges and graduate schools with the best programs in STEM, as well as the best cities for women in tech.

Read more.


CA Energy Commission Approves $384 Million for Clean Transportation

Date: November 18, 2020

The California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $384 million plan for critical clean transportation investments to boost the adoption of zero-emission cars and trucks and help the state reach its climate, clean energy and public health goals. The plan focuses on closing gaps in zero-emission fuels and infrastructure to support Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order phasing out the sale of new gasoline-powered passenger vehicles by 2035.

“The zero-emission transportation market continues to be California’s for the making, delivering jobs and cleaner air especially in communities most in need of relief,” said lead commissioner for transportation Patty Monahan. “This funding plan is another down payment on electrifying transportation while helping ensure everyone can take part through access to convenient refueling, innovative mobility options, workforce training programs and more.”

The 2020-2023 Investment Plan Update for the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) prioritizes funding for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, related workforce development and manufacturing.

Read more.


Buildings that Survive Generations

Date: November 18, 2020

A USC Viterbi School of Engineering master’s student learns what fortifies structures, while bolstering her civil engineering future one opportunity at a time.

Growing up, Maria Herrera Leos’ father didn’t expect his daughter to be an engineer.

“In Mexico, we still struggle with a lot of sexism,” Leos, a Fulbright scholar and USC Viterbi master’s student, said. “My dad told me to take it easy—study something more appropriate ‘for a woman’ and then get married. I took it badly. I’m not here for those purposes only.”

Construction is a vital job in her hometown of Aguacalientes, Leos said. At the same time, earthquakes—which have caused devastation to the homes of her neighbors throughout the years—are a core concern when building.

Said Leos: “I want to do something that helps people and has a societal impact. Some parts of Mexico have a lot of seismic activity, which can cause buildings to be damaged or collapse. People are afraid of sleeping in their houses afterward—even preferring to sleep on the streets. I want to help them feel safe again.”


Your Voice with Government—NSPE-CA Board Members Meet with Key Legislator

Date: October 28, 2020

Your NSPE-CA Board of Directors met last month for the first time with the chair of the Assembly committee that reviews bills related to licensure. The board hoped the meeting would be the beginning of a relationship between your society and a key member of the California Legislature.

Assembly member Evan Low, chair of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, said he wanted to meet with the board in hopes of establishing a relationship with NSPE-CA. He emphasized that he wanted to “demystify” politicians and open lines of communication between himself, the society, and members. He sees the California government and NSPE-CA members ideally working together to provider a greater sense of confidence to consumers.

Evan Low

In light of COVID-19, Low said there is “great uncertainty” regarding the budget as well as what the Legislature will be focusing on when it reconvenes in 2021. He sees “specific accommodations for small business” as a key concern.

NSPE-CA officers provided Low with background information on engineering. Vice President Joseph Quinn made sure the NSPE-CA Emerging Technology Information Guide was provided to Low in advance, and Treasurer Ken Discenza shared the challenges in becoming licensed in California as compared with other states. NSPE-CA and legislative staff have a follow up meeting scheduled.

Members also have a role in influencing legislation. Low emphasized the importance of NSPE-CA members building a rapport with their local legislators. To find your local legislator, use this tool on NSPE-CA’s new Advocacy Center.


Welcome to our newest professional members!

Date: October 28, 2020

Omar Bin Taleb
Adam Burwinkle, P.E.
Mansour Firouzian, P.E.
Joshua Henson, P.E.
Capt. Chris Meyer, P.E.
Lt. Michael Pollard, P.E.
Yipming Tang, P.E.
Scott Weinhardt, E.I.T.
Ashley CB Weiss, P.E.


Licensing Board Launches New Portals for EIT Applications and Complaints

Date: October 28, 2020

The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists launched the first phase of its new application and licensing portal designed to improve interactions between the board, applicants, and license holders. Engineers-in-Training and Land Surveyors-in-Training applicants can create a user profile and submit an application with a direct connection with board staff, through to the issuance of the EIT or LSIT certification. The board looks forward to extending this functionality to include all applications and license renewals in the near future.

The board also introduced a new complaint submittal process which is integrated with the new online application and licensing portal. It is designed to promote effective connection between the board and those who need assistance from the the enforcement program.

Catch up on the latest licensing board news in the Fall 2020 issue of the Bulletin.


EPA Announces $108 Million to Improve Water Quality in the California Delta

Date: October 28, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a $108 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the Stockton Public Financing Authority to help modernize the city’s wastewater treatment facility and reduce nitrogen discharges to the San Joaquin River.

With this loan, EPA is supporting a regionally significant project that will improve water quality and support public health and the economies of the California Delta, as reported in an October 12 Water World article.

“Since the first WIFIA loan closed in April 2018, the program has become increasingly efficient and has established itself as a valuable tool to help finance needed water infrastructure improvements across the country,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. “EPA’s 32 WIFIA loans are providing $6 billion in credit assistance to help finance $13 billion for water infrastructure while creating more than 28,000 jobs and saving ratepayers $3.6 billion.”

Read more.


How to Help Overworked Employees Refuel for Another Stretch of Uncertainty

Date: October 28, 2020

Several months into the pandemic, Peter Newell’s Palo Alto, California-based innovation consulting firm BMNT hadn’t skipped a beat. Business was up as more clients sought its advice on how to adapt to a world grappling with Covid-19 and his already distributed team made the remote work transition seamlessly, according to a recent Inc.com article. Still, Newell faced the same challenge all leaders faced, that of supporting a team that’s juggling work, childcare, and countless other challenges.

Now six months into the pandemic—with no discernible end in sight—that task is all the more urgent.

Read more.


NSPE Career Center

Date: October 28, 2020

NSPE’s Job Board is your one-stop resource for professional engineering employment. Whether you are on the hunt for your next career move or looking for today’s top engineering leaders and talent, you will find it here.

NSPE provides the tools PEs need to keep current in the profession and advance their careers.

Featured Jobs
Dean, Henry Samueli School of Engineering
University of California, Irvine

Electrical Manager of Engineering
City of Palo Alto

Find more job openings or reach the right employees on the NSPE Job Board.

NSPE Statement of Concern During a Time of Social Unrest

Date: June 15, 2020

The National Society of Professional Engineers deplores the injustice within our society that led to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. We also condemn the violence it has in some places provoked. Racism in any form is not acceptable. To this end, I would remind all members that basic human decency and the NSPE Code of Ethics demand that “Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness and without discrimination.”

The violent events we are witnessing make us all painfully aware of the work that remains to be done to address the root causes of this societal ill and heal its wounds. They also underscore our profession’s imperative of putting our own house in order.

Read the full text of the message from NSPE President David P. Martini, P.E., F.NSPE.


NSPE-CA Member Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Chun, P.E., Named FEYA Finalist

Date: March 12, 2020

NSPE-CA member Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Chun, P.E., was named as the US Department of Interior National Park Service 2020 Federal Engineer of the Year. The award honors the best and brightest engineers employed at federal agencies.

Chun is the Design & Construction Branch Chief at Yosemite National Park. At his duty station in Mariposa, California, he serves as a Public Health Service officer, holding positions as a technical engineer, project manager, and supervisor.

One of Chun’s most notable achievements was the completion of a $1.6 million decentralized wastewater treatment system to replace an outdated, malfunctioning setup. Complementing his planning, design, and construction manager duties for that project, he facilitated research using student interns to perform hydraulic modeling, groundwater monitoring, and soil profiling.

He was also park coordinator for the recent construction of $17 million in sewerage infrastructure improvements that accommodate two communities and visitors traveling to Yosemite Valley.

In addition to his professional duties, Chun volunteers on a management team aimed at improving staff housing conditions and promoting sustainable practices. Timothy Sullivan, Ph.D., P.E., of the US Department of the Air Force, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, was named the 2020 Federal Engineer of the Year at the national award ceremony on February 14 in Washington, D.C. Chun was recognized at the ceremony as a top 10 finalist.

NSPE-CA member Lt. Cmdr. Garrett Chun, P.E.

Photo Credit: NSPE and Christie’s Photographic Solutions

Engineer Meet and Greet is a Sell-out

Date: January 28, 2020

By Joseph Quinn
NSPE-CA Vice President

Joseph Quinn

NSPE-CA and the International Society of Automation–Los Angeles sold out their first open engineers meet and greet event on January 28.

More than 30 people attended the lunchtime event at the Rock & Brews in El Segundo. Members of the Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers were among the attendees. NSPE-CA Vice President Joseph Quinn coordinated the event with ISA-LA President-Elect Nand Khidkikar.

As an ice breaker, attendees were asked to share their most memorable moments as an engineer. Among the (censored) stories that can be shared here:

  • Hiding under a blanket from guerrillas while being locked in a caged facility.
  • Organizing and attending an event with several engineers in an exotic location.
  • Conducting a failure investigation of a large fountain while a hundred jets and robots were in operation.

Who ever said engineers are boring?

Watch your email for more events this year from NSPE-CA or follow NSPE-California on Eventbrite. If you’re not yet a member, you can be sure to hear about our events by joining our mailing list.

View the photo album from this event.


NTSB Report and NSPE's Action on this Issue

Recently, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent letters to the governors of 31 states named in its final report on the Merrimack Valley gas pipeline explosions, including California. The letter requests an end to the engineering license exemption for gas pipeline operators in these states, and asks for governors to provide an update to the NTSB with in 90 days.

When the NTSB began its investigation of the Merrimack Valley gas pipeline explosions, investigative staff reached out to NSPE seeking information about licensing exemptions. Through a series of conversations and emails, NSPE shared report data, information on the licensing process and requirements, and its Position Statement on licensing exemptions. Consequently, NSPE was successful in getting the NTSB to adopt a policy of addressing and eliminating engineering license exemptions within the gas pipeline industry.

NSPE’s national staff continues to be in conversation with NTSB staff, and will continue to share updates as they happen. We are happy to support state efforts at eliminating this exemption.

Read the full report from NTSB.

NTSB Report and Recommendations

Pipeline explosionA BURNED-OUT MASSACHUSETTS HOME AFTER THE GAS EXPLOSIONS
CREDIT: NTSB

NTSB has released an abstract of its forthcoming final report on the fatal Merrimack Valley pipeline explosion from September of last year. Final revisions are being made to the report, but in the report’s synopsis/executive summary, NTSB states that “requiring a licensed professional engineer to stamp plans would illustrate that the plans had been approved by an accredited professional with the requisite skills, knowledge, and experience to provide a comprehensive review.” Acknowledging the importance of the role of the PE in preventing an event like this from occurring, NTSB recommends the elimination of the licensing exemption on natural gas pipeline projects in the 31 states that have the exemption in place, including the state of California.

Read the synopsis of the report.


NSPE President and NSPE-CA Leadership Strategize at Google

NSPE-CA welcomed NSPE 2018–19 President Michael Aitken and his spouse Pamela to Northern California for the society’s end of the year board meeting and strategic planning workshop. The event was hosted in June jointly with the Education Foundation (CSPEEF.org)

We were graciously hosted at Google’s main campus in Mountain View with a day filled with talking linkages between NSPE-CA to NSPE’s Strategic Plan, recognizing our leadership, and working on succession planning.

Aitken provided input throughout the meetings and installed our incoming officers. We enjoyed locally crafted sandwiches and salads and then ended our day with a walking tour of Google’s main campus.

> View the entire photo album.


California Team Places Third at National MATHCOUNTS Competition

Date: May 14, 2019

Congratulations to the outstanding mathletes who represented California in the 2019 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition that took place May 11–14 in Orlando, Florida. Eighth graders William Chen, Alan Lee, Eric Shen, and Andrew Wen and Coach Peta-Gaye Robinson placed third in the team competition.

In addition, three of the California team members ranked among the top individuals:

  • William Chen was a quarterfinalist
  • Eric Shen was a Countdown Round participant
  • Andrew Wen ranked 27th overall.

Coach Robinson, William, and Andrew are from Hopkins Junior High School in Fremont. Alan is from Fletcher Middle School in Palo Alto, and Eric is from Miller Middle School in San Jose.

Daniel Mai, an eighth-grader from Acton, Massachusetts, placed first among individuals during the Countdown Round on May 13. He won by answering the question, “What is the quotient of 5040 divided by the product of its unique prime factors?” He gave the correct answer of “24,” in less than 23 seconds. Mai’s win garnered him the $20,000 Donald G. Weinert College Scholarship.

More than 200 finalist mathletes from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and State Department and Department of Defense schools compete for the top prize.

MATHCOUNTS of California is made possible through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations. It is sponsored by the California Society of Professional Engineers Education Foundation.

If you would like to volunteer for MATHCOUNTS of California, please email CSPEEF Executive Director Jeanne Marie Tokunaga at admin@cspeef.org.

To donate funds to support MATHCOUNTS of California, you may send a check to:

MATHCOUNTS of California
c/o CSPEEF
333 University Ave., Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95825

or visit:

http://cspeef.org/donate/

For more information on MATHCOUNTS of California, visit http://cspeef.org/.

MATHCOUNTS CompetitionCalifornia team receiving their medals after finding out they placed 3rd. From left to right: Tracey Gray (Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs, Space & Airborne Systems, Raytheon Company), William Chen, Andrew Wen, Eric Shen, Alan Lee, Peta-Gaye Robinson (coach), John Daegele (Chair, MATHCOUNTS Board of Directors) Credit: Damian Strohmeyer