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Casper Selects Wyoming Rescue Mission for 2021 Donation

Each year WPE donates $1,000 to a non-profit in each of our markets as selected by our staff through our Ways to Give corporate philanthropy program. Wyoming Rescue Mission was chosen by our Casper staff to receive their Community Investment donation for 2021....

Rapid City Invests in the Alzheimer’s Association

Each year WPE donates $1,000 to a non-profit in each of our markets as selected by our staff through our Ways to Give corporate philanthropy program. Our Rapid City team chose the Alzheimer's Association of South Dakota in 2021. This organization holds a special place...

Building System Cybersecurity

We live in an increasingly online world. Our lives, both personal and professional, are accessible with just a few clicks, swipes or taps from just about anywhere on Earth. In many ways, this kind of streamlined convenience has improved our day-to-day in ways we never...

Swiontek Earns P.E. License

Connor Swiontek recently passed his Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam and earned his license in the State of South Dakota. Connor graduated from North Dakota State University in 2015 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been a mechanical...

The Show Must Go On!

Over the past few months, the world has slowly opened its doors, thrown out the welcome mat, and gotten back together. This concept of togetherness has taken on new importance for many of us, and we doubt we're alone in feeling excited and grateful for the opportunity...

Turning the Page On Our COVID-19 Design Series

It's been a year since we made the decision to dedicate our newsletter to addressing industry and MEP design questions, concerns and considerations brought to light during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, we went with the title "COVID-19 Design Impact Series"...

Cold Storage & Food Processing Facilities Respond to Pandemic Demand

Last Spring, many of us became acutely aware of the availability (or lack) of supplies in our local grocery stores, drug stores, and other retailers. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the nation’s supply chain for food, medications, and other items we traditionally took...

Oster Named Mechanical Department Head

Mechanical Engineer Stuart Oster, P.E. has been named head of the Mechanical Department in our Sioux Falls office. In this role, he will be critical in the development and delivery of West Plains Engineering’s mechanical engineering services, as well as help mentor...

Utilizing A Planning & Programming Phase to Set the Right Course

Planning, programming, phase 1, or our personal favorite - charrette - no matter how you say it, the process of evaluating and making smart recommendations for building systems and construction can be a critical tool in the design toolbox. Traditionally, planning and...

Happy E-Week!

Feb. 21-27 is National Engineers Week! To celebrate not only our engineers but all our staff who work toward making this profession possible, we’re planning a couple of fun events including breakfast and prize drawings throughout the week. Despite the challenges we’ve...

Distributed Antennae Systems (DAS)

Our previous issue of Plains Talk introduced our COVID-19 Design Impact Series by talking about how HVAC design considerations can slow the spread. The use of UV in air handling units and isolation room ventilation both support the fight against COVID-19, but in this...

Case Study: SDSU Wagner Hall

The Proof is in the PerformanceGiving Fresh Life to SDSU's Wagner Hall Originally built in 1969, Wagner Hall has been known by many names and housed multiple programs at SDSU. The building was opened as Home Economics and Nursing (HEN) before becoming the Nursing,...

HVAC Measures to Address Virus Spread

We recently shared some initial insights into how MEP systems can impact the spread of COVID-19. Our COVID-19 MEP Design Response remains available on our website. For the next several months, we'll build on these concepts in our Plains Talk newsletter by continuing...

Mt. Rushmore Renovation Earns LEED Platinum

A major renovation to the concession building and restaurant at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial recently received LEED Platinum certification for sustainable design. West Plains Engineering provided electrical engineering design for elements of the project, which is...

Plains Talk Newsletter

The Plains Talk Newsletter is a publication of West Plains Engineering highlighting our projects, challenges and, most importantly, solutions.

Sign up today to receive the Newsletter, or download the latest issue below.

2024

  • September/October – MEP Impact on the IIJA
    • Transportation Take Off: Sioux Falls Regional Airport Expansion
    • The MEP Factor: Bringing IIJA Infrastructure to Life
    • Exploring New Waters: Lewis & Clark Regional Water System
    • Infrastructure Integration: Alliance Solar Farm Transmission Line
  • July/August – Designing for the Next Generation
    • Review Before Renovations: White River School District
    • Student-Centered MEP Design Approach
    • Combatting Crowded Classrooms: Tri-Valley Elementary & High School
    • Making Good Bones Great: Lisbon High School
  • May/June – Factories of the Future
    • Backyard Building – Maven Outdoor Equipment Company
    • Post-Pandemic Manufacturing Growth
    • Manufacturing Modern Tech: BAE Systems
    • Small Business Boom: Scherer, Inc.
  • March/April – Hats Off to Higher Education
    • Beyond Books: SD Mines Devereaux Library Modernization
    • Putting Design on the Docket: USD Knudson School of Law Upgrades
    • Upping Their Game: SDSU Stanley J. Marshall Center Improvements
  • January/February –  40th Anniversary
    • WPE 40th Anniversary Announcement
    • A Message from WPE President, Marty Christensen
    • Daren Beckloff, P.E. Promoted to Engineering & Operations Director

2023

  • November/December
    • 2023 in Review
  • September/October
    • Preserving the Past: MEP Design for Historic Renovations
    • Doubling Down on Deadwood: Historic Franklin Hotel Renovations
    • Repurpose with a Purpose: Colonial Building Affordable Housing Conversion
    • Governing Through the Ages: Weston County Courthouse Repairs & Renovations
  • July/August
    • MEP Underground: Campus Steam Tunnel Design
    • Campus Growth 101: SD Mines Utility Infrastructure Study & Upgrades
    • Chilling with the Jacks: SDSU SW Quadrant Utility Repairs & Extensions
    • Powering Progress: Northwest College Medium Voltage Upgrades
  • May/June
    • Specialty Medical Design: How MEP Impacts Procedures
    • Environments For Imaging: Black Hills & Sioux Falls VA Health Care Systems MRI Site Preparation
    • Filling the Gap: Casper Medical Imaging Expansion
    • Understanding the Nuances of Care: Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital
  • March/April
    • Building Management Made Better: The Benefits of BAS
    • Intelligent Automation: Thinking Outside the BAS Box
    • Control & Monitoring Standards: USP Requirements of Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • January/February
    • Beyond Bars & Fences: Design For Secure Prison Spaces
    • Keeping Up With the Times: Mike Durfee State Prison Barracks HVAC Upgrades
    • Cross-Functional Corrections: South Dakota State Women’s Prison
    • Safety First: 6th Judicial District Facility Improvements

2022

  • November/December
    • A Letter from Doug Feterl, P.E. – WPE President
    • Looking Back at 2022 By the Numbers
  • September/October
    • Strategic Direction Report: Electric Vehicle Charger Design Considerations
    • The Federal Response: EV & the Existing Transportation Infrastructure
    • The Adoption Trend: EV Stations & Existing Fueling Sites
  • July/August
    • Strategic Direction Report: The Serious Work of Student Safety
    • Stronger Together: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School & Fieldhouse
    • Getting Ahead of the Curve: Chamberlaid CSD Elementary & HS Gym
    • Finding Space: Cotter Elementary Addition & Renovation
  • May/June
    • Strategic Direction Report: Finding Non-Linear Approaches to Design Delivery
    • Working Backward Underground: SDSTA 3650 Pump Room Rehab
    • Parallel Procurement: Bringing On Sub-Constractors Prior to Design Completion
  • March/April
    • Strategic Direction Report: Geothermal/Water Source Heat Pump Systems
    • Military Mechanical Sustainability: South Dakota Army National Guard
    • What’s Remotely Possible: Sutton Bay Golf Course & Resort
    • Thinking Long Term: Geothermal Systems for Schools
  • January/February
    • Strategic Direction Report: Putting the IQ in IDIQ
    • Prime Opportunity with a World-Renowned Client: SDSTA
    • As-Needed for Any Need: UIHC
    • On-Call MEP for M&R: South Dakota State University

    Plains Talk Archives

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