ECi Competition
Get your team ready for this year's Environmental Challenge Competition!
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The ECi competition is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, Ph.D. candidates, and recent graduates (2025) in the environmental field. Teams should consist of 3 to 5 members.
ECi gives students the opportunity to put their knowledge to work. Team members will gain valuable experience working in a group, interacting with professionals, and solving problems. Plus, you get to visit Austin, it looks good on a resume, and there's the potential to earn cash prizes!
Although the challenge is somewhat qualitative, teams will be expected to address a wide range of concerns related to the environment, energy, government, transportation and health. Teams will be evaluated based on a variety of issues, including how the problem is interpreted, how conclusions were determined, and how well the team can communicate its reasoning and judgements. In addition to the scientific and technical aspects of this competition, resolution of political and community issues along with appropriate regulatory approaches will be important.
2026 Challenge: Texas Flood: Environmental Permitting Challenges for the Wave of Data Center Construction Projects in Texas
This year’s problem focuses on environmental concerns of constructing and operating data centers in Texas, including the potential strain on the state’s electric grid, potential cost increase of power, increased emissions, and the significant demand of water from an already limited supply. Residents near proposed data center projects have also mentioned concerns about property values, noise, and health impacts. Your assignment is to develop an environmental permitting plan for the construction of a new 200 MW data center in Texas that complies with state rules and regulations, and recommend a strategy for minimizing water use or offsetting the data center’s water demand. You must research existing and proposed data center construction projects in Texas, including existing air and water use permits. You should also consider the government’s role in response to a potential increase in data center projects, how your client can be a good neighbor to the residents who will be affected by this project, and the time frame needed to obtain any necessary air and water permits in Texas.
This year’s problem focuses on environmental concerns of constructing and operating data centers in Texas, including the potential strain on the state’s electric grid, potential cost increase of power, increased emissions, and the significant demand of water from an already limited supply. Residents near proposed data center projects have also mentioned concerns about property values, noise, and health impacts. Your assignment is to develop an environmental permitting plan for the construction of a new 200 MW data center in Texas that complies with state rules and regulations, and recommend a strategy for minimizing water use or offsetting the data center’s water demand. You must research existing and proposed data center construction projects in Texas, including existing air and water use permits. You should also consider the government’s role in response to a potential increase in data center projects, how your client can be a good neighbor to the residents who will be affected by this project, and the time frame needed to obtain any necessary air and water permits in Texas.
Student teams must register for the ECi by emailing Jon Greene (jgreene@cecinc.com).
Each team member must also register for the ACE Conference to participate in the ECi. If your team registers for the ACE Conference by May 15, 2026, you will each save $100 (USD).
