Join Committee on the Environment and learn more about what our local mechanical engineers are doing to meet MEP 2040 goals. Speakers:

Andrew Lopreiato, Energy Engineer at BR + A Consulting Engineers

Maggie Deatrick, Assistant Mechanical Department Manager, Bala Consulting Engineers

Elizabeth K. Larsen, M.S., LEED Green Associate, Fitwel Ambassador, Senior Sustainability Engineer, Bala Consulting Engineers

Andrew Lopreiato is an energy engineer at BR+A Consulting Engineers with experience in energy modeling, decarbonization, and mechanical systems. He has specialized in energy analysis, post-occupancy measurement and verification, and decarbonization master planning for healthcare, higher education, and laboratory buildings. He leads BR+A’s embodied carbon analysis and process development efforts, including MEP 2040 implementation.

Andrew will discuss how BR+A is approaching its MEP 2040 commitment, including analysis of MEP embodied carbon and requesting manufacturer data. This process includes engaging vendors and manufacturers throughout the design process, gradually refining calculation methods, and developing specifications to require embodied carbon disclosures. Addressing MEP embodied carbon is challenging, since there is little data available and few design strategies for reduction in high intensity buildings. However, designers, manufacturers, and architects all play a role in advocating for quantification and reduction of embodied carbon for MEP equipment.

Maggie Deatrick is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer with more than 14 years of industry experience. Her portfolio ranges from building infrastructure to high-rise design, cogeneration island power and cooling, and tenant fit-outs. She has worked in a broad swath of sectors, including life science, healthcare, corporate, multi-family, higher and lower education, and lifecare. Originally a North Texas engineering graduate, most of Maggie's experience has been in regions along the Northeast Corridor.

Elizabeth is Bala’s Senior Sustainability Engineer and leads the Sustainability Practice as well as the Sustainability Operations Team, a team of engineers and technical experts who educate and research sustainability strategies and initiatives to help reduce the built environment's impact on climate change. She is passionate about designing projects that prioritize well-being, reducing our impact on the planet, and better serving our communities.

In addition to leading Bala’s Sustainability Initiatives, Elizabeth also plays an educational role in the industry. Elizabeth has been a featured speaker at companies of various sizes up and down the East Coast and has presented at sustainability-focused conferences and on panels for organizations such as 7x24, CTBUH, Green Building United, and more.

Elizabeth has a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree from South Dakota School of Mines and completed her Master’s in Sustainable Engineering from Villanova University.