Hillary Hagen-Peter is a Senior Engineering Geologist at �鶹TV��վ, currently working on Oklo Inc.’s Aurora powerhouse project at Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls. As fieldwork lead and now project manager, Hillary is helping assess and prepare this Aurora powerhouse site, which supports advanced reactor technology designed to deliver low to near‑zero emission energy. Hillary explains how geoscience bridges the environmental challenges of past energy practices with the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions needed for the future.

“I am deeply passionate about my work on the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project and other advanced nuclear initiatives that are opening doors to a cleaner energy future. With today’s��ability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies, I see this work as a vital bridge between the environmental impacts of past energy practices and the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward.” –Hillary Hagen-Peter

My path into geology began long before my professional career. I was inspired by my older brother, whose undergraduate and graduate fieldwork took him from Mongolia and Italy all the way to Antarctica. Hearing his stories about working in remote, rugged places sparked my curiosity about a field that blends science, exploration and global travel. I signed up for an introductory geology course soon after and was immediately hooked. The combination of fieldwork, problem‑solving and understanding how the Earth shapes our infrastructure and communities set me on the path I’m on today.

So far, my work as a geologist has taken me across the Pacific Northwest, where I’ve led complex geotechnical and geohazard evaluation programs for nuclear and technology infrastructure projects throughout the United States and Canada. Whether hiking through steep terrain, flying by helicopter to remote sites or working in extreme weather, including temperatures dropping to –40°F (the rare point where Fahrenheit and Celsius finally agree), each location brings its own challenges and a distinct set of potential geohazards.

At �鶹TV��վ, I’ve managed large scale geotechnical programs involving comprehensive hazard assessments. One of the most meaningful has been leading geotechnical work for the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. This project is advancing a more resilient and sustainable energy future, and I’m proud to contribute to efforts that support the broader transition to clean, reliable nuclear energy.

On this project, I started out as a Fieldwork Lead for subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations before moving into full project management, overseeing drilling operations, laboratory testing and final reporting, all in compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Nuclear Quality Assurance (ASME NQA1) requirements. This work is meticulous and often challenging, but it is foundational to building safe, sustainable infrastructure.

Through both my studies and field experience, I have seen how geoscience directly shapes the success of advanced nuclear projects, helping see that innovative clean‑energy technologies are built on safe and resilient ground. From evaluating hazards such as flooding, expansive and collapsible soils, landslides, faulting, seismicity and volcanic activity, to leading subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations, geoscientists provide the critical data that informs design, safety and long‑term performance.

I’m especially inspired by the nuclear sector’s ability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies. This capability represents a vital bridge: connecting the environmental impacts of past energy practices with the low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward. When paired with renewable sources like solar and wind, advanced nuclear energy becomes part of a resilient, diversified path toward achieving the United Nation’s global goal of net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Across all of these efforts, I am reminded that sustainable energy isn’t just a technological challenge; it’s a geotechnical one. The future we build must stand on solid ground, and I’m proud to help ensure that the next generation of clean‑energy infrastructure is resilient, responsible and built to support communities for decades to come.

From coastal highways to winding mountainous roads, Hurricane Helene’s severe flooding has caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure across multiple states in the Southeastern United States. Washed-out roads and destabilized slopes have left many communities with limited safe access, compounding challenges during recovery.

�鶹TV��վ is committed to supporting these regions as the recovery process advances. With immediate needs being addressed, the focus is shifting to rebuilding vital infrastructure. We’ve helped communities through other natural disasters, and we’re ready to provide solutions and strategies that restore and reinforce roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

Infrastructure Recovery You Can Trust

Our geotechnical team is assessing and repairing damaged infrastructure. Whether it’s roadways, bridges or other critical transportation routes, our engineers have the expertise to stabilize and rebuild these essential connections.

Our specialized services include:

• Rapid site assessment: evaluating damaged areas to assess the condition of roadways and bridges, enabling swift decision-making.
• Temporary repair designs: creating innovative solutions to quickly reopen critical routes while permanent plans are being developed.
• Permanent stabilization solutions: designing long-term fixes, such as slope stabilization and embankment repairs, to ensure durability.
• Collaboration with federal programs: assisting with navigating disaster relief programs, such as Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief and Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads Program, ensuring projects meet funding requirements.

Committed to Restoring Infrastructure

As we work together through the recovery process, it’s important to look beyond immediate repairs and consider the long-term resilience of the infrastructure that supports our communities. �鶹TV��վ is dedicated to delivering solutions that restore and strengthen, providing long-term protection for our communities.

From road repairs to bridge stabilization and ensuring compliance with federal programs, we’re here every step of the way. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient infrastructure that stands the test of time.

Rebuilding Tips for Infrastructure

• Prioritize safety: Inspect roads and bridges for structural integrity before use and restrict traffic on visibly compromised roads.
• Document all damage: Take photos and keep detailed records of all damage for insurance and relief applications.
• Plan temporary repairs: Focus on reopening key routes with temporary solutions to restore mobility while planning permanent repairs.
• Work closely with agencies: Collaborate with federal and state agencies to access relief funding and align projects with program requirements.
• Build for resilience: Consider incorporating measures to enhance infrastructure’s ability to withstand future storms.

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 26, 2024 — �鶹TV��վ Technical Consultants Inc., a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, today announced that the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Southern Idaho Section has awarded the Whistle Pig Tank development the 2023 Project of the Year in the less than $10 million category.

“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional geotechnical capabilities of our Boise team,” says �鶹TV��վ CEO Jacque Hinman. “We’re proud of their hard work and look forward to their continued innovation and success.”

Addressing the critical issue of sufficient water supply, the project provides essential water storage and system resiliency for South Ada County residents and businesses.

Developed in collaboration with engineering firm Keller Associates for water utility company Veolia, the Whistle Pig Tank project faced unique design challenges. Veolia enlisted Keller to design a distinctive 2.65-million-gallon concrete tank, fully buried to harmonize with its surroundings.

Named after the groundhogs and ground squirrels native to the area, the Whistle Pig Tank was constructed within a steep hillside to minimize visibility and impact on the existing Birds of Prey site.

The tank incorporates several innovative elements: It’s filled using a series of pressure-reducing valves, and complex valving and controls manage bypass provisions. The tank’s mixing system leverages high-pressure water for mechanical mixing without the need for a pump. A small control structure on top of the tank includes provisions for future re-chlorination. Additionally, site enhancements involved challenging pipeline installations, an overflow pond, and creative grading and access improvements.

The �鶹TV��վ team successfully guided the tank’s construction into the hillside, performing specialized geotechnical investigations, calculating lateral earth pressures, designing foundations and pavements, and offering comprehensive construction recommendations.

Beyond engineering and design, �鶹TV��վ provided expertise in cost-effective construction solutions. The achievement builds on a decade-long partnership between �鶹TV��վ and Keller Associates, with mutual trust and proven success from previous collaborations playing a significant role in securing the work.

About �鶹TV��վ Technical Consultants:

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, �鶹TV��վ is a leading provider of Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions. We partner with our clients to improve performance and extend the lifecycle of built and natural infrastructure assets stressed by climate, health, and economic impacts. With 3,500+ employees nationwide, �鶹TV��վ brings deep technical expertise to public- and private-sector clients, integrating services across four primary disciplines: Environmental (ENV); Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC); Engineering & Design (E&D); and Program Management/Construction Management, and Quality Management (PCQM). To learn more about �鶹TV��վ innovations for transportation, commercial, water, government, education, and industrial markets, visit��.

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Media Contact:

Carolyn King
303-248-8882
Carolyn.King@oneatlas.com

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AUSTIN, Texas, April 9, 2024��— �鶹TV��վ Technical Consultants Inc. (�鶹TV��վ), a leading provider of infrastructure and environmental solutions, has been selected among a team of consultants to manage the geotechnical engineering and design of Brightline West — a fully electric, passenger high-speed rail (HSR) system that will connect Southern California and Las Vegas.

“As a nation, we are collectively seeking sustainable transportation solutions, and Brightline West will set a precedent for the future of mobility,” said �鶹TV��վ CEO Jacque Hinman. “�鶹TV��վ will leverage its experience from similar rail projects and other HSR initiatives to successfully deliver this project.”

Founded as an eco-friendly travel option between cities that are ‘too short to fly and too long to drive,’ Brightline West will transport an estimated 11 million passengers across the I-15 right-of-way each year. Its all-electric trainsets are expected to reduce over 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions each year.

Trains will be capable of achieving speeds of 200 mph, making Brightline West the fastest high-speed rail system in America. Its flagship station will be located at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, where it will extend 218 miles west to Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. From end to end, journeys will take just over two hours with Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.

During the four-year development period, this multibillion undertaking will create more than 35,000 jobs across the project delivery supply chain. Upon completion, Brightline expects to support more than 1,000 permanent jobs in operations and maintenance.

In December 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the project a $3-billion grant. Scheduled to open in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Brightline West is poised to revolutionize intercity travel across the U.S., providing an efficient, guest-first transportation option for residents and visitors alike.

�鶹TV��վ will lead a geotechnical investigation to assess soil conditions, seismic activity, and geological factors along the proposed route. By providing essential insights into ground stability and potential hazards, �鶹TV��վ will inform crucial decisions throughout development, mitigating risks and optimizing design for long-term reliability.

About �鶹TV��վ Technical Consultants

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, �鶹TV��վ is a leading provider of Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions. With a workforce of over 3,500 nationwide, �鶹TV��վ brings deep technical expertise to public and private-sector clients, integrating services across four primary disciplines: Environmental (ENV); Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC); Engineering & Design (E&D); and Program Management/Construction Management and Quality Management (PCQM). As a member of the U.S. High-Speed Rail (USHSR) Coalition, �鶹TV��վ is dedicated to driving progress on HSR development across the nation and is currently working on other HSR corridors in the country. To learn more about �鶹TV��վ innovations for transportation, commercial, water, government, education, and industrial markets, visit .

�鶹TV��վ Contact:
Karlene Barron
Director of Communications
770-314-5270
karlene.barron@oneatlas.com

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The No. 1 AEC industry news source, the Engineering News-Record, hand-selected Elizabeth Brown and Maria Kurniati to its annual list of standouts under 40. Join us in honoring and getting to know our ENR representatives.

Discover how you can contribute to our global impact by taking your first steps towards an exciting career: /careers/

Q&A: �鶹TV��վ’ National Practice Director of Geotech Richard Barrows shares insights into his career and passion for geotechnical engineering.��

In the 1980s, after years of working on motorcycles in his parents’ garage, Rich Barrows developed a talent for building dirt bikes.

He would haul his creations to the nearest motocross tracks and ride for hours, testing the suspension against the terrain and noting mechanical weaknesses to work on later.

Rich could picture himself competing in professional races but also didn’t want to squander his college education. So, he combed a catalog of degree programs to replace his passion for assembling motorbikes and off-roading — and loaded his schedule with the next best thing.

“Motocross was a great hobby, but the idea of living off sponsorship dollars didn’t sit well with me,” Rich said. “I was really interested in earth materials and that led me to selecting a course called Soil Mechanics. It was more of an upper-level course. I had to knock on some doors to enroll. But once I got approved, I never looked back.”

Rich Barrows, right, standing next to 80s motocross legend Roger Decoster, a five-time 500cc
Motocross World Champion and four-time US AMA Championship winner whom Rich met in early August.

Since then, Rich has built a 37-year career in civil engineering and geotechnics. We sat down with the former Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Geotechnical Engineer and Construction Chief to learn why he returned to the workforce after a brief hiatus.

What does the bulk of your work look like?

I oversee two divisions, the geotechnical engineering side with over 100 people and the geophysics side with about 22. I analyze where our gaps are, where we want to develop further, and what work areas we want to pursue. I also coordinate with business development on where we want to take the team and where we can grow.

How long have you been in Geotech?

What kind of problems are we helping our clients solve?

Tell us about why you came to �鶹TV��վ.

What’s the most challenging project you’ve undertaken?

Two come to mind.

The reconstruction of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park involved restoring a 50-mile-long corridor that crosses through the park.

It’s a narrow road lined with 130 retaining walls, most of which were built around 1927, so it was in pretty bad shape. That scope involved evaluating the walls and coming up with repair and rehab schemes. My field teams had to balance environmental restrictions and historic preservation needs without interfering with traffic flow.

We started that in 2003 and completed the reconstruction in 2019.

The other project was Salmon River Road in Idaho, a complete reconstruction of a narrow gravel road, road on very, very steep terrain.

It sits between steep canyon walls and the Salmon River. A lot of retaining walls, ground anchors, and other slope stabilization measures were required. It was just one of the toughest geographic areas I’ve ever worked in.

As a Washington local, what regional and environmental impacts do you consider while working on community projects?

Just about wherever we’re working, even if it’s in a more arid environment, I’m always considering erosion control and how our designs or our recommendations impact that.

The culverts on a lot of roads in the Pacific Northwest were designed or sized to carry storm water. They did that adequately for some time, but the designs really didn’t consider fish passage needs. Replacing culverts with more fish friendly designs is part of a big program in the Pacific Northwest.

How do you define Geotechnical Excellence?

You’re not going to know everything that you’d like to know about the ground. Excellence comes from utilizing knowledge and experience to come up with designs or recommendations that are based on what you know and is best suited for the ground.