Weekly Briefing: October 16, 2026
Week of October 12, 2026
DOT Proposes Changes to Transit Funding Criteria, Including Birth and Marriage Rates
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposed revised guidance for its Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program that would factor regional birth and marriage rates into the federal share of major transit project costs. Projects in corridors with birth or marriage rates more than 1% above the national average could receive a five-percentage-point increase in their federal funding share.
The proposal is part of a broader revision to how FTA calculates federal funding shares, including adjustments based on cost-effectiveness and congestion relief. Projects rated low on cost-effectiveness could see their calculated share reduced by 25 percentage points.
For larger projects seeking New Starts or Core Capacity grants, the changes would require sponsors to secure commitments for at least 50% of planned non-Capital Investment Grant funding before applying to enter engineering, up from 30%. The requirement would not increase the nonfederal share of total project costs but would require a greater portion of anticipated financing to be committed earlier in development.
With 47 projects across 21 states seeking $34.5 billion in federal grant funding, the proposed changes could have significant implications for the transit infrastructure pipeline, potentially affecting project financing, design scopes, procurement timelines, and construction schedules.
Utilities Reassess Data Center Power Demand Amid Concerns Over Inflated Projections
The rapid growth of AI and data center development has led to a surge in electricity demand requests, raising concerns that utilities may be overestimating future power needs. Some developers are submitting requests for multiple potential sites, even though not all projects are expected to move forward.
According to research firm Wood Mackenzie, only 23% of disclosed data center power requests to utilities are considered "high confidence." To distinguish viable projects from speculative or "phantom" data centers, utilities are increasingly requiring developers to make greater financial commitments through longer-term contracts, collateral requirements, and engineering study fees.
Exelon, a major U.S. utility company, reduced its high-probability data center load forecast from 18,000 MW to 11,000 MW after introducing stricter requirements, including binding agreements backed by financial collateral. Similarly, Texas now requires developers to provide financial security of $50,000 per megawatt of requested electricity capacity for certain large-load projects before proceeding with engineering studies to assess their projects' impact on the electrical grid.
For AEC firms, greater scrutiny of data center demand could affect the timing and scale of investments in power generation, transmission, and related infrastructure. Stricter financial requirements may also influence which projects advance to engineering and construction, potentially reshaping future project pipelines.
October 1, 2026
Twining, a California-based engineering and construction quality firm, has acquired Murphy Burr Curry (MBC), a California-based structural engineering firm specializing in historic renovations, seismic retrofits, new building design, building inspections, and structural evaluations. This acquisition expands Twining’s service offerings, allowing it to provide clients with a broader range of solutions. “MBC’s reputation, technical expertise, and commitment to client service align closely with our own. Together, we broaden our capabilities while building on decades of trust and a shared vision for the future,” said Robert M. Ryan, CEO of Twining.
October 8, 2026
Certerra, a California-based civil engineering and testing firm, backed by OceanSound Partners, has acquired Universal Testing & Inspection Services, a New York-based engineering firm specializing in geotechnical drilling, special inspections, construction materials testing, and laboratory services for public infrastructure, building construction, and heavy civil construction projects. This acquisition strengthens Certerra’s presence in the Northeast and adds specialized geotechnical engineering, materials testing, and inspection capabilities. “Its addition enhances our capabilities in a key strategic market and creates new opportunities to deliver expanded solutions to public and private-sector clients throughout the region,” said Ed Lyon, CEO of Certerra.
October 12, 2026
McMillan Pazdan Smith (MPS), a South Carolina-based design and advisory firm, backed by PNC Erieview Capital and Providus Capital Partners, has acquired Smolen Emr Ilkovitch Architects (SEI), a Maryland-based architecture and planning firm specializing in public school planning and design. This acquisition expands MPS’s presence into the Mid-Atlantic with a new studio and grows the reach of its K-12 architecture, interior design, planning, and advisory practice. “We are excited to welcome SEI to the MPS firm family. The SEI team shares our commitment to purposeful and expert design and project execution, exceptional client service, and deep community–centered relationships and presence,” said Chad Cousins, CEO of McMillan Pazdan Smith.
October 13, 2026
Godspeed Capital (Godspeed), a Washington, D.C.-based private equity firm focused on defense and government services, solutions, and technology, has acquired GreenVest, a Maryland-based environmental infrastructure firm providing ecological restoration, compensatory mitigation, stormwater management, nature-based resilience, and environmental consulting services to private and public sectors. This acquisition establishes GreenVest as Godspeed’s new environmental platform, which it plans to grow through strategic acquisitions that expand its geographic footprint, service offerings, and customer relationships. “GreenVest has established itself as a market leader at the intersection of environmental restoration, regulatory compliance, and sustainable green infrastructure. With strong demand for watershed protection, resilience investments, and nature-based solutions, we believe GreenVest is exceptionally well-positioned for both near- and long-term growth,” said Doug Lake, Founder and Managing Partner of Godspeed.
October 14, 2026
Consor North America (Consor), a Florida-based engineering and structural assessment firm, backed by New Mountain Capital, has acquired ConeLabs, a Canada-based provider of AI-enabled infrastructure inspections and assessments. This acquisition advances Consor’s commitment to leveraging technology by using AI to enhance its infrastructure inspection services. “By combining our expertise with ConeLabs’ cutting-edge technology, we’re creating new possibilities for how infrastructure is managed, helping clients make more proactive, data-informed decisions,” said Mindy Shimanek, CEO of Consor.
The Terracon Foundation awarded a $50,000 endowment to the University of South Florida (USF) to support scholarships for first-generation students pursuing civil engineering. The initiative builds on Terracon’s support for engineering education, including a fellowship established in 2025 for doctoral students and faculty in structural and geotechnical engineering. Since its establishment in 2008, the Terracon Foundation has awarded nearly $6 million to universities, community organizations, employee-dependent scholarships, and disaster relief efforts, reflecting its mission to make a meaningful impact on Terracon employees and the communities where they live and work.
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 Fatima Moumen at fmoumen@efcg.com.
