Welcome to the Atlas Insider: Market News at a Glance (Vol. 2)
Atlas Ranks No. 49 on ENR for Top 500 Design Firms
Atlas is proud to be ranked No. 49 on the 2024 Engineering News-Record (ENR)’s Top 500 Design Firms list!
We extend thanks to our employees for your commitment to technical excellence — and to our clients for partnership and continued trust in our design services. The future looks bright, and we’re very excited to keep pushing the boundaries of sustainable infrastructure and environmental development.
NOAA Predicts Record 2024 Hurricane Season
The NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration anticipates that the 2024 hurricane season will be the most intense on record.
Forecasts indicate 17 to 25 named storms, with eight to 13 developing into hurricanes, and four to seven escalating into major hurricanes with winds exceeding 111 mph.
Driven by near-record sea surface temperatures that are as warm as they typically are in August, this year’s projection breaks all previous records since NOAA began issuing predictions in 1998. It significantly surpasses the average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
Experts from leading universities support NOAA’s prediction. The Atlantic’s sea surface temperatures are averaging 82.5°F, well above the usual 78.5°F. This trend is worsened by weak trade winds and reduced Saharan dust.
Although seasonal forecasts are becoming more accurate, uncertainties remain. The 2024 hurricane season is expected to be extraordinarily active.
For insights on how our environmental professionals can help and what our clients can do to handle hurricanes, learn how to "Weather the Storm" from our team on the Atlas Sphere.
Airline Passengers to Receive Automatic Refunds and Fee Transparency
Travelers, rejoice! The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has introduced new mandates ensuring that airlines provide automatic refunds for cancellations, delays, or substantial changes, and disclose all fees upfront.
Announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, this move aims to enhance transparency and alleviate the hassles associated with air travel.
Now, a “significant” delay is uniformly defined as three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights, standardizing passenger entitlements to refunds.
Furthermore, any additional fees for services like checked baggage and seat selection must be clearly displayed before ticket purchase.
Set to phase in from October, these regulations promise a smoother and more predictable flying experience for all.
So take those plans out of the group chat — and book those flights!
EPA Invests $9 Billion to Eradicate Lead Pipes
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has embarked on a monumental $9-billion campaign to remove approximately 1.7 million lead service lines across the U.S. over the next three years.
Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), this initiative will help the government and partnered agencies target and eliminate lead exposure particularly harmful to children.
With a significant portion of the budget designated towards disadvantaged communities, the EPA’s strategy includes not only the physical removal of lead pipes — but also community education on the dangers of lead.
By prioritizing states with the most critical need, the EPA endeavors to ensure safe drinking water for all Americans, addressing a longstanding public health issue head-on.
Atlas Names Sarah Hilty as New Chief Legal Officer
We are excited to announce that Sarah Hilty has joined Atlas as our new Chief Legal Officer. Sarah brings more than 25 years of experience leading a wide range of strategic legal and business matters.
“Sarah’s extensive experience and history of results make her a valuable addition to our leadership team,” said Atlas CEO Jacqueline (Jacque) Hinman “We look forward to her contributions as we continue to grow and strengthen our position in the market.”
Before joining Atlas, Ms. Hilty served as the Chief Legal Officer of Skillsoft Corp., an NYSE-listed, educational technology company. She was also the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Nasdaq-listed cinema advertising company, National CineMedia.
She previously held the Deputy General Counsel role for corporate enterprise matters at global engineering company, CH2M. And started her career at Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells) as business and finance group partner.
To read the full press release, visit https://loom.ly/rHFXblc
Maui Community Mobilizes to Protect Water Quality Post-Lahaina Fires
In the aftermath of the devastating August 2023 wildfire, the Lahaina community in Maui is rallying to safeguard water quality.
The blaze, which obliterated over 2,000 buildings and tragically claimed more than 100 lives, raised alarms about potential chemical runoff affecting nearby coral reefs.
Enter Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a local group working alongside researchers and agencies to monitor water quality.
Initial concerns of severe contamination have somewhat eased, with recent tests revealing lower-than-expected pollution levels. This prompted the Hawaii Department of Health to declare the water safe for recreational activities.
However, scientists urge caution; understanding the long-term impact on the coral reef will take years. Water samples continue to show contaminants like copper and zinc, though most remain below levels harmful to humans. The fire’s broader environmental repercussions — especially concerning toxin buildup in marine life — are still being studied.
In essence, while the community celebrates small victories, the road to full environmental recovery mirrors the efforts of Lahaina’s resilient residents.
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AI Images Boost Public Support for Car-Free Cities
A fascinating study published in Nature reveals that AI-generated images can significantly influence public opinion on sustainable infrastructure.
Researchers at MIT Sloan School of Management showed 3,100 participants a hypothetical $500-million proposal to replace half of all U.S. car lanes with bus lanes, bike lanes, and wider sidewalks. They used Google Street View photos alongside AI-generated alternatives depicting pedestrian-friendly environments.
Results were striking: participants who viewed AI illustrations were more likely to support the bill than those shown simple slides or cartoons. Notably, the AI images, crafted by DALL-E 2, significantly swayed voters, boosting their support ratings for the bill.
The researchers, including co-authors from Princeton University, suggest that such visualizations can help create a unified vision, potentially reducing controversy around sustainable infrastructure policies.
They plan to delve deeper into how AI-generated images can shape public policy, leveraging the technology for quick and effective illustrations.
In short, a picture isn’t just worth a thousand words — it might just be worth a billion-dollar policy shift.
Reintroducing Grizzlies to the North Cascades
In the remote village of Newhalem, near North Cascades National Park, a heated debate is unfolding over the proposed reintroduction of grizzly bears.
Federal agencies have presented three plans, aiming to establish an initial group of 25 bears over five to ten years, with a long-term goal of 200 bears within 60 to 100 years.
These bears would be transported from other regions in the US and British Columbia.
One Upper Skagit Indian Tribe Elder emphasized the deep historical connection between his tribe and the grizzlies, who roamed these lands for millennia before being wiped out by fur trappers and hunters in the 19th century.
Public reaction is mixed, with ranchers and locals fearing for their livestock and safety, while others value wilderness preservation.
The debate highlights divergent views on ecosystem membership and the role of apex predators. Proponents argue that reintroducing grizzlies could restore ecological balance, as they help disperse seeds and aerate soil, contributing to biodiversity.
Although translocating grizzlies is challenging, past efforts in similar ecosystems have succeeded.
Despite the logistics and potential conflicts, many believe that the North Cascades’ lush vegetation could provide ample food for the bears, making this a viable plan for ecological restoration. Should agencies hibernate on it a little longer, or is that bearable?
High School Students Tackle Orphaned Oil Wells
A group of high school students from Gary, NC, is on a mission to tackle climate change, one plugged well at a time.
Orphaned oil and gas wells are notorious for leaking methane, a potent greenhouse gas that exacerbates climate change. With approximately 3.9 million aging wells in the US and at least 126,000 classified as abandoned, community and non-governmental efforts are vital.
Inspired by an AP environmental science class, these students realized that individual actions can significantly reduce methane emissions from abandoned wells.
They successfully raised $11,000 to plug a methane-leaking oil well on a horse farm in Ohio.
Collaborating with the Well Done Foundation , a nonprofit dedicated to sealing orphaned wells, their project marked the 45th well capped by the foundation.
The family who purchased the property in 2016 were unaware of the hazardous well beneath their land.
Thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Well Done Foundation , the well was sealed, representing a significant victory in the fight against orphaned wells.
Now, the group is preparing to raise funds for a second well this summer.
Manhattanhenge: A Spectacular Urban Phenomenon
Twice a year, New Yorkers and visitors experience the awe-inspiring phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge.
During this event, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan’s street grid, creating a stunning visual as it dips below the horizon framed by towering skyscrapers.
This unique occurrence attracts photographers and onlookers alike, all eager to capture the breathtaking moment.
The term “Manhattanhenge” was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in a 1997 article, inspired by his visit to Stonehenge. However, unlike the ancient builders of Stonehenge, the planners of Manhattan’s grid never intended to align with the sun; it was pure coincidence.
Manhattanhenge takes place approximately three weeks before and after the summer solstice. On May 28 and July 13, the sun will be half above and half below the horizon at the moment of alignment. On May 29 and July 12, the entire sun appears to hover between buildings before sinking into the New Jersey horizon across the Hudson River.
Similar phenomena occur in other grid-lined cities, like Chicagohenge and Baltimorehenge. But Manhattanhenge steals the spotlight with its awe-inspiring infrastructure and seamless Hudson River views, turning it into an urban sunset show.
Bridging Continents: Meet Shuhui Yang, EIT
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we spoke with Shuhui to learn how her Chinese heritage has shaped her worldview. May was dedicated to honoring the rich cultural heritage and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, recognizing their significant contributions across various sectors.