Missouri Governor Proposes Moving Energy Division

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed an executive order to transfer the Missouri Division of Energy from the state Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Economic Development.

The Division of Energy houses programs related to energy policy, resources, efficiency and education.  Specific program include low-income weatherization assistance, the energy revolving fund and certification of home energy auditors.

The General Assembly may reverse this decision if it acts before April 8 (60 days after the executive order was signed on February 4).  If this does not occur, the transfer will become effective on August 28.

Related post and articles

Executive Order 13-03 (State of Missouri, Feb. 4, 2013)

Gov. Nixon signs three Executive Orders to make government more efficient and effective (Viehman, R., Three Rivers Publishing)

Governor reverses $8.5M in cuts to Missouri higher education (Lieb, D. A., Kansas City Star [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon Adds More Money to Higher Education & Shifts Some State Programs (Mahoney, M., 20 Pounds of Headlines)

Nixon announces reorganization of some state functions (Yokley, E., Missouri News Horizon, Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon moves forward with government efficiency measure (Yokley, E., PoliticMO, Feb. 5, 2013)

Nixon reverses $8.5M in cuts to higher education (Lieb, D. A., Dunklin Daily Democrat [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon reverses $8.5M in cuts to higher education (Lieb, D. A., St. Louis Post-Dispatch [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

State laws that could be affected by the change include

Sections 8.800-8.851 RSMo. –energy efficiency in public buildings

Sections 135.300-135.311 RSMo. – tax credit for wood energy

Section 143.121 RSMo. – tax deduction for home energy audits

Sections 393.1020-393.1030 RSMo. – Renewable Energy Standard

Sections 414.400-414.471 – reduction of state vehicle fuel consumption

Section 640.150 RSMo. – various energy policy, information and education duties assigned to Department of Natural Resources director

Section 640.153 RSMo. – certification of home energy auditors

Sections 640.155-640.219 – various provision related to energy programs, education and funding

Sections 640.651-640.686 RSMo. – establishing the Energy Set-Aside Program fund and an energy loan program

Skywalk Memorial Close to Fundraising Goal, Construction of New Design Anticipated

When I was an undergraduate engineering student about 20 years ago, one of the events covered in the engineering ethics class I took was the 1981 collapse of the skywalk at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Missouri.  Even 31 years after the collapse, the 114 people who were killed are remembered.

A nonprofit foundation was formed to create a memorial to the victims of the collapse.  It is now only $150,000 from having enough to start construction of the memorial.  It has also chosen a design.

You can visit the Skywalk Memorial Foundation at www.skywalkfoundation.org.

Related posts and articles

Redesign cuts cost of memorial to victims of skywalks collapse (Horsely, L., Kansas City Star, Dec. 2, 2012)

Louisiana Transportation Official No Longer Required to be a Professional Engineer

This summer, the State of Louisiana dropped its requirement that the Assistant Secretary in its Office of Public Works and Intermodal Transportation be licensed as a professional engineer. The new law also dropped the assistant secretary’s responsibility to approve plans, specifications and estimates.

Bill Would Create National Tunnel Inspection Program

Rep. Michael Capuano (MA) has introduced a bill that would establish a national tunnel inspection program (H.R. 2232). The bill would require the Secretary of Transportation to create standards for highway tunnel inspections and state tunnel management programs, produce procedures for national certification of highway tunnel inspectors and compile a national tunnel inventory.

Resolution Could Affect Education Requirements for Engineering Licensure

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) adopted a resolution in August that would require candidates for engineering licensure to complete 30 hours of coursework leading to a master’s degree or the equivalent before taking the final licensure exam. They will seek implementation of the requirement by 2020.

Engineering licensure is governed by state laws in the United States and each state adopts its own licensure requirements. Most have similar requirements, though adapted to the unique concerns of some states. NCEES members are members of state boards that oversee licensing of engineers and surveyors, so the additional education requirement is likely to be adopted by most states on about the same schedule.

Changes to Missouri Design Professional Laws and Regulations

Several changes to Missouri laws and regulations taken effect that have an impact on engineers, architects and other design professionals. To start, Governor Matt Blunt’s reorganization of state government that created the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration has been adopted as law (SB 788). The Division of Professional registration was transferred from the Department of Economic Development to the new department. The division houses the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, which regulates those professions in the state and licenses professional in those fields.

Rules for engineers have changed to allow applicants without accredited engineering degrees or without having taken the Fundamentals of Engineering exam if they can demonstrate satisfactory experience of 20 years. They must still take the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam (20 CSR 2030-4.050). This reflects changes to state law.

Fees for licensure renewal were dropped from $100 to $60 (20 CSR 2030-6.015). Licenses must still be renewed biennially.

The board may now audit continuing professional education of engineers and surveyors if there is a complaint against the licensee (20 CSR 2030-8.020 and 11.015). A new rule also addresses continuing education requirements for landscape architects (20 CSR 2030-11.035).

Finally, rules were adopted to clarify the responsibilities where multiple engineers work on a project (20 CSR 2030-21.020). Another rule clarifies who may be a managing agent for engineering corporations (20 CSR 2030-10.010).