ADVOCACY

NSPE-NC (PENC) protects the interest of engineers through public policy advocacy and lobbying, contributing to an informed engineering population, and supporting a Political Action Committee (EPAC). On Capitol Hill and in the NC state legislature, NSPE-NC (PENC) is the voice for North Carolina's licensed engineers. The idea that engineers should be informed, politically active citizens is a guiding value of our organization. Regular legislative updates keep our members informed of pertinent legislative activity. Through EPAC, PENC contributes to candidates for office who support public health and safety and represent the best interests of engineering professionals.

Grounding Advocacy Principles

• PENC Mission: Protect the public health, safety, and wellbeing of North Carolinians
• Promote the ethical practice of engineering, and engineering as a licensed profession, maintaining public health, safety, and wellbeing at the forefront of our work.
• Promote good economic stewardship of state infrastructure development and sustainability in three main practice areas including transportation, buildings, and water/wastewater.
• Provide for the public health, safety, and wellbeing of the public as emerging infrastructure and engineering technologies develop.
• Promote beneficial use, conservation, and allocation of North Carolina's water and energy resources.
• Support continued regulatory reform that results in streamlined processes while continuing to protect public health, safety, and wellbeing.

2026 Legislative Priorities

• Ensure proposed legislation adheres to ethical practices of engineering; promotes good economic and resource stewardship of state infrastructure, energy, and natural resources; and prioritizes public health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Support building and infrastructure design and construction practices that reduce the occurrence of failures during natural disasters to help protect public health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Support funding for infrastructure improvements (including during natural disasters) to address deficient or damaged systems and the modernization of infrastructure system networks in water resources, energy, and transportation sectors.
• Encourage a recurring appropriation to the PENC Educational Foundation for NC Future City Middle School Educational Outreach Program as well as continued Legislative support for the Educational Foundation's K-12 (STEM) education outreach programs.
• Encourage a recurring appropriation for public engineering colleges in NC for the expansion of engineering programs (Engineering NC's Future).
• Support the modernization of transportation funding in the State as part of the Destination 2030 Coalition to account for population growth, economic development, and changes in driving habits, and modes of transportation to ensure our transportation infrastructure prioritizes safety and sustainability.
• Support continuing professional competency requirements for engineers as defined by 21 NCAC 56.1703.
• PENC to support June 23rd Resolution to Recognize International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
  

For more information about PENC, contact Executive Director, Vanessa LaClair at [email protected].

PENC Lobbyists - Jones Street Consulting
Jackson Stancil I [email protected] I 919-634-2487
KJ Stancil I [email protected] I 919-320-3855

EPAC is a registered North Carolina political committee and can only accept payments from individuals. Campaign finance law prohibits contributions made with a corporate credit card or from a business bank account. Contributions may not be reimbursed or deducted as a business expense. Learn More about EPAC!