Meeting/Event Information

Presented by
Michael F. Bloom, P.E., ENV SP, CFM, BCEE
R. G. Miller Engineers, Inc.

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization that developed and maintains a sustainability rating system for civil infrastructure in the United States. That system, called Envision™, was created by ISI in Washington, DC and the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  ISI was founded by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  The founding organizations of ISI have a combined membership of over 250,000 professionals and they represent public sector project owners, designers, planners, and engineers.  The rating system can be briefly described as “LEED for horizontal projects.”

Envision includes two main elements.  First, it includes a professional credentialing program which allows professional designers, planners, engineers to become Envision Sustainability Professionals through an educational program and test.  Second, it includes a project recognition program which may be used by project sponsors to seek and obtain one of four project award levels: Verified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, depending upon the number of credits the project secures from among the 60+ credits available in quality of life, leadership, resource allocation, natural world, and climate and resilience categories.

The presentation will provide background on the creation of ISI; an overview of the Envision rating system; highlights of the credits available; and a description of how project sponsors can seek ISI recognition; and how individuals can become credentialed.   The presentation will also highlight recent developments in Texas and the Houston area regarding the use of Envision to design projects, select consultants, award engineering contracts, and guide design competitions.

Speaker Details Below.

Agenda:

11:30 a.m.        Registration, Networking, and Lunches

12:00 noon       Presentation and Q&A

12:55 p.m.        EWRI Announcements

1:00  p.m.         Adjourn

Professional Development Hours: An attendance certificate will be provided to attendees.

Cost:
ASCE Members:         $30
Non-Members:           $50
Registration includes lunch.

Payment:  Please pay by credit card online after clicking the "Register Now" button.  The payment processing webpage provides the option to bring cash or check to the event.  This is NOT encouraged.

Sponsors:  Sponsorships are available for $250 each and can be purchased using the "Register Now" button. Sponsors will receive one complimentary lunch and recognition on event posters, welcome screens, and verbally during the event.  If you purchase a sponsorship, please email your high-resolution logo to mbloom at rgmiller dot com.  Please note that additional attendees affiliated with the sponsoring organization above the first complimentary ticket will still need to separately register and pay the member or non-member cost. Proceeds will cover the event cost and benefit EWRI-Houston activities.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY:

Michael F. Bloom, P.E., ENV SP, CFM, BCEE
R. G. Miller Engineers, Inc.

Michael is the Manager of the Sustainability Practice of R. G. Miller Engineers, Inc. where he leads water quality studies, planning and design of natural drainage facilities, assists with wetlands and natural resources permitting, and public infrastructure projects.  He is an experienced Envision Sustainability Professional, an Envision Trainer, and an Envision Project Verifier. As of Feb. 2019, Michael has verified a large scale flood management project, a large wastewater project, and has been assigned to verify a green infrastructure project under Envision Version 2.0. Michael is a national expert in stormwater management, resilience, and green infrastructure. He helps clients integrate natural resources into their projects, minimize wetland mitigation requirements, or, if required, identify and mitigate unavoidable impacts.  He has recently provided formal 8-hour Envision Sustainability Professional credentialing training to 24 employees of the Harris County Engineering Department or infrastructure Precinct staff as well as 64 private sector planners, engineers, and environmental scientists.