TBD. Tuesday April 28th at 12pm at James Madison University / ASCE Student Chapter

TBD

It is important that all who are interested in attending contact me via email (and copy our ASCE BRB Program Chair Ed Kent at [email protected]) by January 30 so that Dominion Energy can run the necessary security check and plan for the number of attending.  Details of the tour are tentative, but we will provide more information in early February.  Additionally, you may RSVP and make your $5 lunch payment here:

Stripe link to RSVP and make a lunch payment

Below are the topics we asked that Dominion consider:

Introduction- including basic components and functions of nuclear power generation, Lake Anna cooling water and dike system, role of the Power Station in the VA and eastern US grid, recent extension of operating license, and plant security.

Planning Phase Highlights- siting, permitting, environmental considerations for Lake Anna and the Power Station. 

Construction Phase Highlights- challenges, unique aspects, progress photos.

Tour of the Power Station- control room, reactor (not allowed), boiler, pumps, turbine, generator, cooling water intake and discharge, spent fuel storage area and any disposal plans. 

Mark Smith has said that he will line up some of the North Anna projects people to walk through some of the processes for executing large projects including planning and permits.  While they are unable to talk in detail about plant security, it will be addressed at a high level.  For the other items of interest, he will arrange for people to discuss.

The tentative plan is to have a meet-and-greet type of session with presentations given in the areas that we are interested in followed by a plant tour.  We can go into the control room as well as in the simulator where we would be free to walk around and look at things up close.  The reactor building will not be able to be accessed during that time, but we can go pretty much anywhere else.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn about a major source of carbon-free energy in Virginia.  Please contact Ryan Henry by January 30 to reserve your place for the tour.

On Tuesday January 27, our Monthly Technical Meeting will be at the Augusta County Service Authority (aka Augusta Water) at their Middle River location in Verona, VA.  Plenty of free parking is available.  We'll start with lunch and a presentation at 12pm followed by a tour of their facility.  The Augusta Water Verona location address is:

846 Laurel Hill Road

Verona, VA  24482

Our hosts for the presentation and tour will be Phil Martin (Augusta Water Executive Director), Ron Elkins (Director of Treatment Operations), and Hal McWhorter (Treatment Operations Superintendent).  By attending this presentation, Professional Engineers can earn 1.0 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Development Hours (PDHs) toward their license renewal.  Additional information about Augusta Water can be found here:

https://www.augustawater.com/

As a means to become more financially sustainable as an ASCE Branch, there is a nominal $5 lunch cost associated with attending this month's Lunch and Learn.  Please use this Stripe link below to RSVP and make a lunch payment:

Stripe link to RSVP and make a lunch payment

Space is limited for this month's meeting, so if you are interested in attending, please be sure to RSVP (contact Ryan Henry).  Final meeting logistics will be provided to those that have RSVP'd / paid later the week of 1/20.

This month's Technical Meeting is ideal for Engineers, Contractors, Municipal Planners, DOT Professionals, and the Precast Industry.  Space is limited so if you are interested in attending, please RSVP to my email at [email protected].  There is plenty of Free Parking available at VTRC.  We'll have complimentary (Thanks CP&P!) sandwiches, chips, cookies, and soda / water. 

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On Tuesday May 20, 2025 at 12pm, for this month's Lunch and Learn series, the ASCE Blue Ridge Branch is proud to host Col. Matthew Swenty, Ph.D., P.E.  As a member of the ASCE Virginia Section's History and Heritage Committee, Col. Swenty will lead a discussion on Civil Engineering History in Virginia.  Col. Swenty is the Jackson-Hope Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA.

This month's Blue Ridge Branch Lunch and Learn series will be at the VDOT Staunton District Offices in the Environmental Training Room.  The address is:

811 Commerce Rd., Staunton, VA, 24401

From a history of ASCE in Virginia to Virginia's ASCE Historic Landmarks and Famous Virginia Civil Engineers, Col. Swenty's presentation will present a stirring reminder of the rich history of Civil Engineering in Virginia.

Space is limited for this month's meeting so if you are interested in attending, please RSVP by either responding to this email or to me directly at [email protected].

Plenty of Free Parking is available at the VDOT Staunton District Offices.  Final meeting details and logistics will be sent to those that RSVP.

Free lunch will consist of an assortment of sandwiches, chips, cookies, and water.

Looking forward to seeing some of you on May 20th.

Location

JMU