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Sustainable Development
2025
Sustainable Development and Resilient Infrastructure
Case #24-05
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Duty to the Public
Employer
Faithful Agents and Trustees
Misrepresentation/Omission of Facts
Professional Reports, Statements, Testimony
Political Contributions, Gifts, Commissions
Duty to Disclose
Harassment and Anti-Discrimination
Community Service/Civic Affairs
Sustainable Development
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Questions:
- Engineer K personally believes the Sustainable Approach is better. Should Engineer K have only presented information about the Sustainable Approach?
- Does Engineer K have any ethical obligations after the City approves the Traditional Approach?
Conclusions:
- Engineer K should present both approaches to the City if Engineer K believes both are viable solutions.
- Because Engineer K has entered into a contract to design the new flood water control system, Engineer K has an ethical obligation to act as a faithful agent or trustee. Engineer K is ethically obligated to fulfill their contractual obligations to the City and continue to design the Traditional Approach as approved by the City.
2023
Excess Stormwater Runoff
Case #23-2
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Questions:
- Was it ethical for City Engineer J to review and approve plans prepared by Firm BWJ, given that City Engineer J formerly worked for Firm BWJ?
- What are Principal Engineer R's ethical responsibilities under the facts?
Conclusions:
- Given the facts, the Board interprets that Engineer J’s transition from the private sector to the public sector was not recent and there does not appear to be a conflict between J’s former work at BWJ and their current work for City C.
- Although flood damage and independent consultant Firm IBM’s analysis show larger flows, Principal Engineer R and Principal Engineers R’s firm should confirm whether an error exists – essentially, they should re-review Firm IBM’s analysis. If Firm BWJ determines they made a mistake, Principal Engineer R is responsible to acknowledge errors.
2022
Sustainability - Lawn Irrigation Design
Case #22-10
Synthesized
Questions:
- Was it ethical for Cutting Edge Engineering and Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task?
- Was it ethical for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse to perform the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system?
- If the traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work, what can Engineer Jaylani’s firm do to complete the...
Conclusions:
- It was ethical for Engineer Jaylani to accept the irrigation system design task.
- As a matter of personal conviction, it was ethically permissible, but extreme, for Engineer Intern Wasser to refuse the task of design development for the proposed irrigation system. Performing the design task would not have been manifestly unethical, and refusal likely cost Wasser his job.
- Under the facts, traditional lawn irrigation system design is an ethical expression of engineering work. In awareness of sustainability principles, Engineer Jaylani’s firm is in a position to better serve its clients and the public by introducing and offering “green” irrigation alternatives.
Siting a Truck Stop
Case #22-6
Synthesized
Questions:
- Has Engineer R fulfilled ethical obligations by raising concerns and providing public testimony?
- Is it ethical for Engineer H to speak before the Drainage Board if Engineer H is not licensed in State I?
- After R learns that Engineer H is not licensed in State I, does R have any additional responsibilities? Note that in the public record, H is...
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Conclusions:
- Engineer R fulfilled ethical obligations regarding environmental concerns at the site of the truck stop through public testimony. If R believes that there is a danger to public health, safety and welfare, R could choose to raise the concerns to a higher regulatory authority.
- Engineer H’s testimony constituted the unlicensed practice of engineering and was consequently unethical. [However, practitioners should consult the governing statutes and regulations to determine the applicable definition of the practice of engineering.]
- Engineer R has an obligation to report H’s unlicensed practice of engineering to State I authorities.
- Engineer H did not act ethically by failing to address the potential for leaks in underground storage tanks during the presentation and questioning, whether by explaining how the issue had been addressed or by agreeing to re-examine the plans in light of the issue.