Month: April 2024

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

A record 28 “billion-dollar” weather and climate disasters struck the United States in 2023, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), causing an estimated $92.9 billion in damages. The year was not an outlier but part of a rising trend in disruptive natural disasters increasing in intensity, frequency and resulting cost. Such extreme events – compounded by aging infrastructure, changing demand patterns, supply chain issues and workforce changes – can be expected to continue, endangering the critical energy, water and communications infrastructure that drives business and underpins our quality of life. It’s putting utilities under increasing pressure to actively manage their risks and increase their resilience.

Water Sector: Time to Prep for Required Updates

Water utilities have a mechanism to address the pressure. The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) was passed into law in October 2018 and, through amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, introduced a new requirement for water systems serving more than 3,300 people to conduct a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) and prepare an emergency response plan (ERP) that incorporates the findings of the RRA. Both elements need to be reviewed and updated every five years and certified by the utilities to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

With the first round of certifications completed during the 2020-2021 timeframe, water utilities are coming up on the next round. They must re-certify to USEPA that they have conducted, reviewed, or updated their RRAs and ERPs by the following dates.

Served Population1 
More than 100,000

RRA due by 
March 31, 2025ERP due by 
September 30, 2025

Served Population1 
50,000 to 99,999

RRA due by 
December 31, 2025ERP due by 
June 30, 2026

Served Population1 
3,301 to 49,999

RRA due by 
June 30, 2026ERP due by 
December 31, 2026

1The total served population must include consecutive systems served by the utility, if any.

Taking a Consistent Approach to Risk and Resilience Assessments

Although the EPA does not require the use of specific standards, methods or tools for completing RRAs, it has recommended the use of available standards and tools from the Agency and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). These standards and tools include the AWWA J100-21 Standard for Risk and Resilience Management of Water and Wastewater Systems, and the EPA’s Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT). The J100 methodology is based on a seven-step process to assess risk and resilience and develop options for long-term resilience management.

7-Step Risk, Resilience Management Process

ASSET CHARACTERIZATION 
What assets do I have? Which are critical?THREAT CHARACTERIZATION 
What threats and hazards should I consider?CONSEQUENCE ANALYSIS 
What happens to my assets if a threat or hazard happens?THREAT ANALYSIS 
What is the likelihood that a hazard will strike my facility?VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS 
What are my vulnerabilities that would allow a threat or hazard to cause these consequences?RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT 
What is my current level of risk and resilience?RISK AND RESILIENCE MANAGEMENT 
What options do I have to reduce risks and increase resilience? What are the benefits and costs?

Black & Veatch has synthesized the spectrum of available tools and processes and developed a practical, spreadsheet-based tool to assist in the completion of an RRA. Our in-house team of experts has assisted water utilities of all sizes across the U.S. in their initial certifications, providing them with a repeatable and structured process based on the AWWA J100 standard for completing their RRA and ERP development and updates. AWIA tools developed by Black & Veatch use the J100 methodology as a general framework and are further strengthened by VSAT tool features, a suite of cybersecurity assessment tools, lessons learned from numerous AWIA assessments, and the multitude of AWIA guidance documents provided by the USEPA over the initial AWIA certification period.

Implementing a Successful Resilience Program

In the annual surveys that inform Black Veatch’s Strategic Directions Reports for the water sector, resilience has been consistently ranked within the top three challenges utilities are facing. The good news: studies show every $1 spent on risk mitigation reduces future disaster costs by $4 to $6. A range of solutions are available through Black & Veatch for different scales, complexities and maturities of organizations to help utilities define their resilience “stance,” assess their current maturity and invest in practical, actionable improvement plans to meet their resilience goals cost-effectively.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

The big fact

Microbusiness owners in the U.S. skew older than those in the U.K. In the U.S., 63% of microbusiness entrepreneurs are Generation X (age 40-54) or baby boomers (age 55+), compared to 49% in the U.K., where millennials (age 25-39) take the lead. 

Older generations make more in the U.S.

One in six microbusiness owners from all generations earn over $100K or £180K, but the breakdown in age groups differs between the U.S. and U.K.

In the U.S., the older the microbusiness owner, the more they make, compared to the U.K., where earnings are more evenly split among age groups. In the U.S., 60% of Gen X and 62% of baby boomers earn over $100K, while 25-26% of Generation Z, Gen X and baby boomers from the U.K. report revenue over £180K.

US & UK Entrepreneurs

Which generation has the most entrepreneurs?

US: 41% Gen X (40 – 54)

33% Millennials (25 – 39)22% Baby Boomers (55+)3% Gen Z (18 – 24)

UK: 45% Millennials (25 – 39)

37% Gen X (40 – 54)12% Baby Boomers (55+)6% Gen Z (18 – 24)

Breakdown of those earning over $100k or £180k

US: 62% Baby Boomers (55+)

60% Gen X (40 – 54)56% Gen Z (18 – 24)

UK: 26% Gen Z (18 – 24)

25% Gen X (40 – 54)25% Baby Boomers (55+)

Source: GoDaddy Venture Forward U.S. & U.K. National Surveys. August 2023 (N-U.S. = 3.525 // N-U.K. = 2.651

More money, less optimism

Despite being the highest earners, baby boomers in the U.S. report less optimism about their overall expectation for their business during the next six months, with only 65% indicating a positive outlook, compared to 77% of Gen Z respondents.

Additionally, entrepreneurs who generate significantly more revenue, particularly those with over $600K or £500K, reported higher levels of stress, anxiety and burnout.

Younger generations may be more entrepreneurial

Not only is Gen Z the most optimistic group of microbusiness owners in the U.S., but they may also be the most entrepreneurial. 37% of Gen Z in the U.S. always dreamed of starting their own businesses, versus the 22% of Gen X and 15% of baby boomers, according to Venture Forward data. A recent study revealed that 50% of Gen Z aspire to become an entrepreneur.

And, in the U.S., 75% of Gen Z hope to turn their microbusiness into their primary source of income, compared to 58% of baby boomers, who often start a side business after retirement or continue one as a hobby.

The research

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics. 

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

The big fact

Microbusiness owners in the U.S. skew older than those in the U.K. In the U.S., 63% of microbusiness entrepreneurs are Generation X (age 40-54) or baby boomers (age 55+), compared to 49% in the U.K., where millennials (age 25-39) take the lead. 

Older generations make more in the U.S.

One in six microbusiness owners from all generations earn over $100K or £180K, but the breakdown in age groups differs between the U.S. and U.K.

In the U.S., the older the microbusiness owner, the more they make, compared to the U.K., where earnings are more evenly split among age groups. In the U.S., 60% of Gen X and 62% of baby boomers earn over $100K, while 25-26% of Generation Z, Gen X and baby boomers from the U.K. report revenue over £180K.

US & UK Entrepreneurs

Which generation has the most entrepreneurs?

US: 41% Gen X (40 – 54)

33% Millennials (25 – 39)22% Baby Boomers (55+)3% Gen Z (18 – 24)

UK: 45% Millennials (25 – 39)

37% Gen X (40 – 54)12% Baby Boomers (55+)6% Gen Z (18 – 24)

Breakdown of those earning over $100k or £180k

US: 62% Baby Boomers (55+)

60% Gen X (40 – 54)56% Gen Z (18 – 24)

UK: 26% Gen Z (18 – 24)

25% Gen X (40 – 54)25% Baby Boomers (55+)

Source: GoDaddy Venture Forward U.S. & U.K. National Surveys. August 2023 (N-U.S. = 3.525 // N-U.K. = 2.651

More money, less optimism

Despite being the highest earners, baby boomers in the U.S. report less optimism about their overall expectation for their business during the next six months, with only 65% indicating a positive outlook, compared to 77% of Gen Z respondents.

Additionally, entrepreneurs who generate significantly more revenue, particularly those with over $600K or £500K, reported higher levels of stress, anxiety and burnout.

Younger generations may be more entrepreneurial

Not only is Gen Z the most optimistic group of microbusiness owners in the U.S., but they may also be the most entrepreneurial. 37% of Gen Z in the U.S. always dreamed of starting their own businesses, versus the 22% of Gen X and 15% of baby boomers, according to Venture Forward data. A recent study revealed that 50% of Gen Z aspire to become an entrepreneur.

And, in the U.S., 75% of Gen Z hope to turn their microbusiness into their primary source of income, compared to 58% of baby boomers, who often start a side business after retirement or continue one as a hobby.

The research

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics. 

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

Eastman

A network of pollinator gardens — the brainchild of an Eastman engineer — has been recognized by Keep America Beautiful with a 2023 Innovation Award, one of only 10 presented across the country.

Neil Brown, who specializes in life cycle assessment, was on hand when Keep Kingsport Beautiful leaders accepted the award in San Diego, California. Brown said dozens of people could have stood alongside him — including many co-workers.

Keep Kingsport Beautiful led the local partnership of volunteers, schools and businesses that combined forces to create over 5,000 square feet of garden space at four elementary schools in Kingsport, Tennessee: Johnson, Lincoln, Kennedy and Washington. Eastman was one of the organizations that contributed grant funding for the gardens, and its people were among the dozens of volunteers who contributed tools, time and labor.

For two years, Brown has recruited people from Eastman to contribute a few hours on evenings or Saturdays to the gardening project. About 50 company volunteers contributed.

“We’ve got a lot of people at Eastman who are passionate about sustainability and the environment, so I’m not surprised about the response,” Brown said. “It’s great to be able to lean on colleagues. They’ve really shown up.”

Gardens illustrate environmental connection

For weeks, dozens of volunteers gathered outside Washington Elementary School after the workday and on Saturdays, determined to turn a nondescript, grassy field into a pollinator garden.

Craig Leonberg, an Eastman mechanical engineer, will never forget the start of the project when shovels were useless against the hard ground.

“We had to get a tiller,” Leonberg said, “and we broke the first tiller we rented.”

They still finished the garden. Like the others, it’s now populated with native perennial plants that provide food and habitat for a broad range of animal species — butterflies, moths and bees, some birds, and even bats — that pollinate plants and trees critical for a healthy ecosystem.

Leonberg and his wife, Alanna, have two children who were students at Washington Elementary, and Alanna, as president of the parent-teacher association, was instrumental in working with school leaders to get the project going.

At Eastman, Leonberg works on the decarbonization strategy as well as building and refining digital tools to increase energy efficiency. His work can be difficult to explain to younger generations, so he relished a project that illustrated the importance of sustainability so well. Now, students can see how gardens with plants such as milkweed and bee balm can make a difference for creatures that are vital in many ways. For example, one in three bites of food you eat depends on the plant fertilization provided by pollinating species.

“Even if I’m not able to explain all the details of what I do at Eastman to my kids, they understand that what we’re doing is protecting the environment,” Leonberg said. “And now they can see a project on a different scale that’s also about the environment. This is a way for students to get involved at an early age, learn about life cycles and biodiversity, and start thinking about what they can do to have a positive impact when they grow up. It’s all connected.”

The Keep America Beautiful recognition aside, the work isn’t done. Keep Kingsport Beautiful plans to build two additional gardens this spring at Jackson and Jefferson elementary schools.

“We’re going to be very aggressive this spring,” Brown said. “We know we can count on a lot of volunteers who are already involved, and we’re going to recruit more.”

Eastman

A network of pollinator gardens — the brainchild of an Eastman engineer — has been recognized by Keep America Beautiful with a 2023 Innovation Award, one of only 10 presented across the country.

Neil Brown, who specializes in life cycle assessment, was on hand when Keep Kingsport Beautiful leaders accepted the award in San Diego, California. Brown said dozens of people could have stood alongside him — including many co-workers.

Keep Kingsport Beautiful led the local partnership of volunteers, schools and businesses that combined forces to create over 5,000 square feet of garden space at four elementary schools in Kingsport, Tennessee: Johnson, Lincoln, Kennedy and Washington. Eastman was one of the organizations that contributed grant funding for the gardens, and its people were among the dozens of volunteers who contributed tools, time and labor.

For two years, Brown has recruited people from Eastman to contribute a few hours on evenings or Saturdays to the gardening project. About 50 company volunteers contributed.

“We’ve got a lot of people at Eastman who are passionate about sustainability and the environment, so I’m not surprised about the response,” Brown said. “It’s great to be able to lean on colleagues. They’ve really shown up.”

Gardens illustrate environmental connection

For weeks, dozens of volunteers gathered outside Washington Elementary School after the workday and on Saturdays, determined to turn a nondescript, grassy field into a pollinator garden.

Craig Leonberg, an Eastman mechanical engineer, will never forget the start of the project when shovels were useless against the hard ground.

“We had to get a tiller,” Leonberg said, “and we broke the first tiller we rented.”

They still finished the garden. Like the others, it’s now populated with native perennial plants that provide food and habitat for a broad range of animal species — butterflies, moths and bees, some birds, and even bats — that pollinate plants and trees critical for a healthy ecosystem.

Leonberg and his wife, Alanna, have two children who were students at Washington Elementary, and Alanna, as president of the parent-teacher association, was instrumental in working with school leaders to get the project going.

At Eastman, Leonberg works on the decarbonization strategy as well as building and refining digital tools to increase energy efficiency. His work can be difficult to explain to younger generations, so he relished a project that illustrated the importance of sustainability so well. Now, students can see how gardens with plants such as milkweed and bee balm can make a difference for creatures that are vital in many ways. For example, one in three bites of food you eat depends on the plant fertilization provided by pollinating species.

“Even if I’m not able to explain all the details of what I do at Eastman to my kids, they understand that what we’re doing is protecting the environment,” Leonberg said. “And now they can see a project on a different scale that’s also about the environment. This is a way for students to get involved at an early age, learn about life cycles and biodiversity, and start thinking about what they can do to have a positive impact when they grow up. It’s all connected.”

The Keep America Beautiful recognition aside, the work isn’t done. Keep Kingsport Beautiful plans to build two additional gardens this spring at Jackson and Jefferson elementary schools.

“We’re going to be very aggressive this spring,” Brown said. “We know we can count on a lot of volunteers who are already involved, and we’re going to recruit more.”