Weekly Briefing: September 25, 2026
Week of September 21, 2026
DOE Selects 31 Grid Projects for $1.9 Billion in Federal Funding
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to provide $1.9 billion for 31 grid-improvement projects across 26 states through its SPARK initiative. Recipient contributions would bring total investment to $5.25 billion.
Recipients are expected to replace conductors on or rebuild more than 1,500 miles of transmission lines and deploy grid-enhancing technologies across nearly 21,000 miles. The DOE estimates these upgrades will unlock more than 23 gigawatts of additional grid capacity.
The projects emphasize expanding capacity within existing rights-of-way, including replacing existing conductors with higher-capacity alternatives to relieve congestion and avoid costly new transmission construction.
For AEC firms, the focus on existing transmission systems points to continued demand for modernization work that combines traditional infrastructure upgrades with advanced grid technologies to expand capacity and improve performance across existing networks, creating opportunities for firms that design and manage infrastructure upgrades.
States Sue to Block $1.5 Billion in Offshore Wind Lease Buyouts
California filed a lawsuit, and a coalition of eight other states filed two more, challenging federal agreements to pay Invenergy and Bluepoint Wind a total of $1.5 billion to give up their offshore wind leases. The agreements would redirect the payments toward fossil fuel and geothermal projects, largely outside the affected states.
The affected projects represented more than 10 gigawatts of planned generation capacity across the New York Bight, Gulf of Maine, and California's Morro Bay area. New York argues that the lost capacity comes as electricity demand rises, projecting 8% growth by 2030 and 24% by 2040.
The buyouts also put related state investments in question. California has invested more than $100 million in offshore wind planning, ports, and transmission facilities. In 2024, California voters approved Proposition 4, which set aside $475 million for offshore wind infrastructure. Invenergy's original lease bid had also included $33 million for workforce and supply chain development.
For AEC firms, the continued legal challenges prolong uncertainty around offshore wind development and the timing of related port, transmission, and other infrastructure work. The buyout agreements reflect ongoing federal efforts to redirect investment toward other energy sources and could influence where future construction and engineering opportunities emerge.
September 18, 2026
H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), a Miami-based alternative investment firm, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MISTRAS Group (MISTRAS), a New Jersey-based technology-enabled industrial asset integrity and laboratory testing firm serving markets including oil and gas, aerospace and defense, power generation and transmission, and infrastructure. This acquisition extends H.I.G.’s experience partnering with industrial services businesses that support mission-critical operations. “MISTRAS has built an impressive platform supported by a highly skilled workforce and longstanding customer relationships, and we look forward to bringing H.I.G.’s experience and resources to support the Company’s next phase of growth,” said Matt Gullen, Managing Director of H.I.G.
September 22, 2026
Willdan Group (Willdan), a California-based technical services firm focused on energy and infrastructure solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Mantis Innovation (Mantis), a Texas-based building controls, energy efficiency, energy advisory, and facility management firm. This acquisition expands Willdan’s commercial market presence in industries such as food and beverage and healthcare, while strengthening its energy procurement and industrial energy efficiency offerings. “Our expected acquisition of Mantis executes on our strategy to further diversify across our core markets and broaden our commercial and industrial capabilities,” said Mike Bieber, CEO of Willdan.
September 23, 2026
WSB, a Minnesota-based multidisciplinary firm serving government, commercial, and infrastructure markets, backed by GHK Capital Partners, has acquired Poly, an Alabama-based architecture and engineering firm with expertise in civil and environmental engineering, geological and hydrogeological services, and federal and military facility design. This acquisition strengthens WSB’s municipal, environmental, and federal design platform and expands its presence in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast. “Poly is widely respected for its technical excellence, responsive client service, and community-centered approach to architecture and engineering. Their expertise complements our existing services and strengthens our ability to deliver integrated infrastructure and facility solutions for our clients,” said Bret Weiss, President and CEO of WSB.
September 23, 2026
Osmose Utilities Services (Osmose), a Georgia-based utility infrastructure assessment and life extension firm, backed by EQT Infrastructure, has acquired the assets of the Utility Services division of Alamon, a Montana-based technology solutions firm serving telecommunication, energy, and utility companies, including a team specializing in non-destructive pole assessment technology and Alatrac, a proprietary cloud-based software platform driven by GIS mapping and AI data analysis. This acquisition strengthens Osmose’s core assessment capabilities and expands its software offering to optimize grid performance. “By combining their innovative software and capabilities with our technical expertise and industry experience, we can deliver even greater value to utilities through even more data-driven insights and solutions that will help our customers address aging infrastructure and evolving network demands,” said Mike Adams, CEO of Osmose.
September 24, 2026
DLR Group, a Nebraska-based global integrated design firm, has acquired Conran and Partners, a London and Hong Kong-based interior design and architecture firm specializing in luxury hotels and resorts, branded residences, high-end residential development, and bespoke workplace and retail environments. This acquisition establishes DLR Group’s first studio in Europe and provides London and Hong Kong locations for expansion into adjacent geographies in Europe and Asia. “Conran and Partners adds a luxury design studio and a level of craft that immediately elevates our work for clients at the premium end of the market in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States,” said Steven McKay, CEO of DLR Group.
Klingner & Associates (Klingner) recently donated $13,427 to the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities. The engineering, architecture, and land surveying firm raised the money through Klingner Cares, an annual employee fundraiser that involves staff from Klingner's nine offices across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Employees earned points through direct donations, community volunteering, and social media posts supporting local nonprofits, with Klingner providing a dollar-for-dollar match based on the points earned. Each office nominated a nonprofit, and Klingner ultimately chose the Children's Therapy Center as this year's beneficiary. Founded in 1949, the center offers speech, occupational, physical, and feeding therapy to children throughout the Quad Cities region, with a primary focus on children from birth to age five. According to the center, the donation is enough to cover a full year of therapy for two children.
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.
