IEEE PI2 Aus 10/28/25 Tech Mtg: Electrical Issues & Considerations in Floodplains
IEEE (PI)² Austin, October 28, 2025, Tech Meeting In-Person 6 PM Central / 7 PM Eastern at
Balcones Country Club, 8600 Balcones Club Drive.Austin, TX 78750
3-course Dinner Provided
Abstract:
The Code of Federal Regulations, 44CFR60.3, mandates that utilities shall not be installed in a regulated flood plain below the base flood elevation (BFE). Many well-meaning Floodplain Administrators have mistakenly tried to regulate utility operators by denying transmission towers in a floodplain which has resulted in a lot of heartache (costs, delays, investigation, discussion and education) all individuals involved.
James Mercier, with his vast experience and knowledge in both civil and electrical design, permitting and construction, will explain what the referneced CFR actually means when it says “utilities” and how utility operators can properly work with an adamant Floodplain Administratorto reach agreement. He also will show an entertaining LCRA video relevant to the recent hill country flooding.
Details:
A three-course Dinner and soft beverages will be provided for those with reservations. If you do not have a reservation, you will not be able to eat but still must pay. The charge defrays the room and dinner cost.
IF REGISTERED IN ADVANCE (By October 25th, 2025)
Members and Non-Members:
Select Register & Pay now, $25.00 Paypal from your credit card when registering - you do not need a Paypal account to use it.
Click through to the credit card/debit page.
OR
Select Register Now and Pay Later and pay $25.00 cash or credit/debit with Square at the meeting.
IEEE Student Members:
Free (must register in advance before October 25th with your IEEE member number) Skip the payment
All who register After October 25th , 2025: Pay $30.00 at the the meeting in cash
Attendees must be registered before the event for food accommodations. Unfortunately, we are charged more for the meals after the advance registration date
For PDH hours, please email the (PI)² Secretary, pi2-secretary@ieee.org.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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Add Event to Calendar
- Balcones Country Club
- 8600 Balcones Club Dive
- Austin, Texas
- United States 78750
- Contact Event Hosts
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Officers
Chair: melvin.moncey@gmail.com
Vice Chair: r.hebner@ieee.org
Treasurer: neminer@sandia.gov
Secretary: cgoertz@us.tuv.com
- Starts 08 October 2025 08:00 PM UTC
- Ends 28 October 2025 05:00 AM UTC
- Admission fee ?
Speakers
James Mercier
James Mercier is licensed as a professional engineer (Civil) in Texas and five other states, and a Texas licensed Master Electrician. He is an American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Life Member and an IEEE Life Senior Member, having joined both in college. In the Central Texas Section, his past duties included Membership Development Chair, Sr. Member Upgrade Coordinator, and Treasurer. He also is a Past-Chair of the IEEE joint chapter (PI)² (PES/PELS/IES/IAS/PSES). His nickname is “Honeybadger”due to his persistence, but he is much more sociable and ebertaining. James was a 2020 George F. McClure Citation of Honor recipient for his superior dedication to IEEE and his Chapter.
Biography:
James Mercier has an eclectic history. After serving 4-years in the Air Force, he worked and completed a four-year Apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1979, making him a qualified construction electrician. The training specialized in industrial and commercial wiring. Then, in 1986, he graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BS in Civil Engineering and worked as an Environmental Engineer in the private sector. In 1994, James was hired into the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to work in the Roadway Illumination and Traffic Signals Sections where he specialized in reviewing electrical plans, specifying grounding practices, inspecting installations for code compliance, improving design practices, and lightning protection.
In 2001, James transferred to the TxDOT Bridge Division Hydraulics where he specialized in river and stream flows through culverts and bridges. James used his multiple and varied experiences to design a collapse detection and motorist warning system for the Queen Isabella Causeway Bridge in south Texas. James also was a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and an instructor for the Texas Floodplain Management Association. He retired from TxDOT in 2015 so that he can enjoy doing what he wants to do!