Weekly Briefing: April 25, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Trump Administration Fast-Tracks Energy Project Approvals to 28 Days, Excluding Solar and Wind
The Trump administration announced an emergency permitting process for energy and mining projects on federal lands, reducing approval times to a maximum of 28 days that previously took months or years.
This move is in tandem with President Trump's national energy emergency declaration aimed at strengthening domestic energy supplies, lowering fuel prices, and enhancing national security.
While the emergency procedures will apply to fossil fuels, uranium, geothermal, critical minerals, biofuels, and kinetic hydropower projects, it excludes renewables like solar and wind energy.
The Department of the Interior will use different methods to comply with environmental protection laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.
Trump Overhauls Federal Procurement Process
On April 15, President Trump issued an executive order to overhaul federal procurement systems and regulations, encouraging agencies to buy American products and services.
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) will be reviewed and rewritten by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy within 180 days, focusing on eliminating non-essential provisions and simplifying the framework.
On April 16, Trump instructed agencies to procure only commercially available products and services, instead of specialized government systems or custom solutions, unless they receive a waiver from the agency's approval authority.
Changes to the procurement system will require civil builders to adapt to a period of regulatory uncertainty, potentially increasing internal costs as contractors update compliance systems, retrain staff, and reassess risk management strategies.
April 21, 2025
RDC, a California-based architecture, interior design, and planning firm, has merged with Phoenix Design One (PDO), an Arizona-based full-service interior architecture firm. The partnership will increase both firms’ capabilities while maintaining their names and members. Brad Williams, RDC CEO, commented, “We’re incredibly excited to welcome PDO to the team. PDO fills a strategic gap both in our workplace interiors capabilities and our expansion into the Phoenix market. We are aligned in our values, offer complementary services, and have already been successfully partnering on several projects together.”
April 22, 2025
Lathan Architects (Lathan), an Alabama-based architecture and design firm backed by Hidden Harbor Capital Partners (Hidden Harbor), has invested in McKee & Associates (McKee), an Alabama-based provider of professional architectural and design services, and Barganier Davis Williams Architects Associated (BDW), an Alabama-based professional architectural and design services provider. The acquisition strengthens the combined groups' presence and capabilities in the Alabama market. Johnny Raines, Partner at BDW Architects, said, “Joining the L&M Group is an exciting step for the entire team at BDW. The group’s core values and commitment to excellence aligns with the foundation we built at BDW. We look forward to new opportunities for collaboration across our client base and across the member firms.”
April 22, 2025
SitelogIQ, a Minnesota-based energy services and facility improvement solutions provider to the public sector and commercial and industrial end markets, backed by AEA Investors, has acquired Path Company (Path), a Missouri-based energy services company serving the municipal and higher education markets. This acquisition integrates two firms with complementary service offerings to create a leading provider of energy solutions for both the public and private sectors. Kelly Schuller, SitelogIQ Chief Executive Officer, said, “The addition of Path significantly expands our deep bench of talent, highly specialized building and infrastructure improvement service offerings, and network of customers. With this strategic combination, we’re confident SitelogIQ is poised to deliver even greater value to existing and new customers across the U.S., while continuing to thoughtfully expand our footprint.”
April 24, 2025
Egis, a France-based global architecture, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services firm, backed by GENEO Capital Entrepreneur, has acquired Omnia Projects, a UK-based engineering consultancy specializing in electricity transmission and distribution. The acquisition bolsters Egis' capacity to aid the UK's shift towards sustainable energy, improving its expertise in energy infrastructure, grid connections, and substation design. Francois-Xavier Basselot, Managing Director at Egis, said, “The UK is undergoing a fundamental shift in its energy infrastructure, requiring significant investment in network reinforcement, new connections and grid modernization. Omnia Projects’ technical excellence and specialist expertise make them an ideal partner as we expand our capabilities to support the energy transition.”
April 24, 2025
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), a Massachusetts-based multidisciplinary civil engineering consulting and design firm, has joined forces with Waterway Surveys & Engineering (Waterway), a Virginia-based surveying, engineering, and environmental consulting firm specializing in marine environments, and Harbor Engineering (Harbor), a Rhode Island-based ocean and waterfront engineering firm. This move will bolster VHB’s coastal engineering presence. Jake San Antonio, VHB’s New England Environmental Services Leader, noted “These strategic mergers will deepen our skillsets, expand our resources, and enable us to offer a comprehensive range of innovative solutions for coastal and waterfront improvements.”
The Fort Worth team at Freese & Nichols was proud to join their community and participate in the 28th annual Victory Over Violence Walk/Run at Fort Worth’s Trinity Park. This event supports The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, which is an organization that holds anti-violence programs with an overall mission to inspire and empower women, men, and children to overcome violence, crisis, and poverty. Freese & Nichols has been a steadfast supporter of the Women’s Center and their mission for a long time.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.