Weekly Briefing: October 24, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Oct 24
- 4 min read
Week of October 20, 2025
DOE Grants a Loan of $1.6B for Transmission Upgrades in the Midwest
The Department of Energy approved a $1.6 billion loan to American Electric Power (AEP) Transmission to upgrade 5,000 miles of transmission lines for five states, primarily for fossil fuel-powered energy, aiming to support growing electricity demand from AI and data centers.
The Trump administration emphasized its support for fossil fuels by canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants, including major hydrogen projects in California and the Pacific Northwest.
The AEP loan is the first under the newly branded Energy Dominance Financing initiative, requiring loan-funded utility companies to share financial benefits with customers.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the AEP loan, emphasizing its aim to modernize the grid for long-term reliability and affordability.
The Stakes for Infrastructure in the Nov. 4 Off-Year Elections
High-profile gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia on Nov. 4 could signal public sentiment toward the Trump administration’s energy and infrastructure policies, with candidates split on renewable energy and utility investments.
Voters across the U.S. will decide on billions in state and local infrastructure funding, including $1.9B in Columbus, OH; $895M in Denver, CO; and nearly $900M in Maricopa County, AZ, targeting utilities, housing, health care, and public safety.
Texas voters will consider creating an endowment for technical college infrastructure, while New York voters will decide on a constitutional amendment for Olympic facility upgrades and environmental protections in Lake Placid.
Dominion Energy’s $10.8B offshore wind project faces $500M in added costs due to tariffs, while the state’s booming data center industry raises concerns over energy and water use, both of which are influencing legislative races.
October 17, 2025
AKS Engineering & Forestry (AKS), an Oregon-based civil engineering, water resources, surveying, and land use planning firm, backed by Align Capital Partners, has acquired Lancaster Mobley (Lancaster), an Oregon-based traffic engineering and transportation planning firm. The acquisition will integrate traffic engineering and transportation planning with AKS’ land use planning, civil design, and community development services. Blair Carlson, CEO of AKS, said, “We know Lancaster’s team well – many of us have worked with them for years. We respect their work and have built strong working relationships. The workflows moving forward should be natural because we already have such strong relationships with their teams. Adding traffic engineering services in-house will provide additional value and efficiencies to our clients and opportunities for cross-training to our teams.”
October 17, 2025
Cumming Group, a New York-based pure-play project management and cost consultancy firm, backed by New Mountain Capital, has been joined by Seneca Group, a Washington-based real estate advisory and development management firm. The merger will bolster Cumming Group’s ability to serve blue-chip clients backed by Seneca Group’s local expertise and Cumming’s existing suite of PM, cost consultancy, and advisory services. “We are thrilled to welcome the Seneca Group team,” said Derek Hutchison, President and CEO of Cumming Group. “By combining their long-standing client relationships and reputation with Cumming Group, we are positioned to deliver greater value, broaden our reach, and reinforce our position as a preeminent provider of owner advisory services for complex, large-scale projects internationally.”
October 20, 2025
Pape-Dawson Engineers (Pape-Dawson), a Texas-based civil engineering, environmental, and surveying firm, backed by Palm Beach Capital, has acquired Innerlight Engineering, a Florida-based civil engineering, surveying, and land planning firm. The acquisition will add regional expertise and resources to Pape-Dawson's work in Florida. “Florida is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Expanding our team here means more opportunities for our employees, stronger partnerships with our clients, and a greater ability to serve Florida’s communities,” commented Trey Dawson, President of Pape-Dawson. “Innerlight Engineering’s expertise and reputation in the Florida panhandle make them an ideal partner, and we are excited for what we’ll accomplish together.”
October 20, 2025
WSB, a Minnesota-based infrastructure engineering consulting firm, backed by GHK Capital Partners, has acquired Agbara Engineering (Agbara), a Florida-based power delivery engineering firm. The acquisition will strengthen WSB’s presence in the energy sector, allowing them to support the full lifecycle of energy infrastructure projects. “The acquisition of Agbara Engineering marks a pivotal moment in WSB’s journey to build a national energy practice,” said Bret Weiss, President and CEO of WSB. “Agbara’s deep expertise in transmission, distribution, and substation design perfectly complements our existing capabilities and allows us to deliver more comprehensive, future-focused solutions to our clients. Together, we’re not just expanding our services—we’re empowering our teams, strengthening our culture, and positioning WSB as a leader in the power/energy space.”
October 20, 2025
Trinity Consultants (Trinity), a Texas-based global EH&S firm providing services in the compliance, ecology & water, built environment, and life sciences sectors, backed by Oak Hill Capital, has acquired GeoSystems Analysis (GSA), an Arizona-based provider of hydrology and natural resources consulting services. The acquisition will bolster Trinity’s water and ecology division where GSA will operate as a business unit. “GSA and Trinity’s missions are intrinsically linked, united by an ambition and ability to solve some of the world’s most complex environmental challenges,” stated Mike Remsberg, Divisional President of Water & Ecology at Trinity. “Together, our synergistic services, strong cultural alignment, and shared values will enable us to preserve what works, amplify what makes us special, and deliver higher-value, higher-impact services to clients around the world.”
Recently, IMEG shared that each of its 90+ offices around the globe has a Community Involvement Committee (CIC), whose mission is to identify ways of supporting local communities throughout the year. In the recent past, employees from the firm have collected canned food and built structures at a Canstruction event. Other activities include building homes with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and walking in support of the American Heart Association, demonstrating the impact that firms in our industry have on the people and communities around them.
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.