January 2015, Vol. 70, No. 1

Robert Darrell Stevenson, 50, died Nov. 18, 2014.

Mountain Water Company crews recently installed a new water main in Missoula, MT.

The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has been awarded a project by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a Gas Situational Awareness System (GSAS) to be used for major events that require response by more than one emergency responder, utility or agency.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed a two-year alliance with the National Service, Transmission, Exploration & Production Safety Network and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities among workers in the exploration and production sector of the oil and gas industry.

Plains All American Pipeline and Enterprise Products Partners announced plans to construct a new condensate gathering system into their Three Rivers terminal, and double mainline capacity on the Eagle Ford Joint Venture (JV) Pipeline from Three Rivers to Corpus Christi, TX, in the third quarter of 2015.

As reported in the <em>Houston Chronicle</em>, Sunoco Logistics plans to invest $2.5 billion in a planned natural gas pipeline across southern Pennsylvania.

The controversial Keystone XL pipeline project to expand an oil pipeline running from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has failed the approval of Congress, after the Senate voted against the project on Nov. 18, 2014 by a vote of 59-41. The House passed its version of the bill on Nov. 21, 2014.

CH2M HILL has been awarded a program management contract for the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department’s $3.3 billion Ocean Outfall Legislation (OOL) Program.

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) announced that the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), of North Central Texas has earned the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system’s Silver award for their Line J, Section 1 Pipeline project.

Don Santa, president and CEO of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, today lauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of Representative Mike Pompeo’s legislation (H.R. 161) to improve the natural gas transmission pipeline permitting process:

A group of Clemson University civil engineering students stepped outside the classroom recently for some hands-on learning in underground construction thanks to a neighbor who happens to be an expert in the field.

Advance Metalworking Co., www.advancemetalworking.com American Augers, www.trencor.com American Pipeline Contractors Assn., www.americanpipeline.org Applied Felts Inc., www.appliedfelts.com Arntzen Corp., www.arntzenrolling.com Avanti International, www.avantigrout.com Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC, www.halliburton.com Bit Brokers, www.bitbrokers.com BKW Inc., www.bkwinc.com Copperhead Industries, www.copperheadwire.com Dam-It Dams, www.damitdams.com Ditch Witch, www.ditchwitch.com Doosan Portable Power, www.doosanportablepower.com

The <a href="http://digital.turn-page.com/i/442130">digital edition</a> of <em>Underground Construction</em>, January 2015, Vol. 70, No. 1.

Kleinfelder has appointed Daniel L. Harpstead, PE, as the firm’s new chief technical officer. Harpstead, who reports directly to Kleinfelder’s President and CEO Bill Siegel, is located in the firm’s Exton, PA, office.

Hanson Pipe & Precast has appointed Cory R. Mayo as its vice president of operations. Mayo will succeed Greg Minteer, who is retiring in the first quarter of 2015 following 33 years of service to the company.

Geotechnology Inc., a leading provider of geotechnical and environmental engineering, geophysics, water resource management, materials testing and drilling services, announced the retirement of Dominic Grana on Dec. 31, 2014.

To provide a foundation for sustainable growth in a growing market, WHC Inc. has announced plans to transition ownership to its senior management and equity partner, Alvarez & Marsal Capital Partners (AMCP).

Peter Nicholson, a well-known veteran of the oil and gas pipeline industry, is the new publisher of Oildom Publishing Co.

Designed and built in Dubuque, Iowa, the 1050K Crawler Dozer is the largest, most powerful dozer ever built by John Deere. Utilizing years of research and extensive customer feedback, the 1050K has the durability, reliability, and productivity needed for mining, quarrying, road building, and other large-scale applications.

American Augers has introduced a new Rapid Setup (RS) horizontal directional drill (HDD) model that fits just under the company’s largest drill rig.

To meet the required EPA Clean Air Act emission standards for diesel engines, Xylem has introduced new Tier 4 engines in their Godwin dewatering pumps to help reduce air pollution by minimizing particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), as well as delivering enhanced engine control and reduced engine noise.

WNR Systems has developed a machine that uses the latest technology in fiberglass to construct a joint free, continuous pipe, directly on the job site. The machine can deliver any length or wall thickness cured and ready for use in less than two minutes. The pipe will have a glass-like smoothness internally, resulting in less surface-friction and a reduction in hydraulic power and pump sizing. In addition, shut-off stations, inspection openings, and T-sections and bends may be introduced at any stage of production.

Three updated models join John Deere’s K-Series Four-Wheel Drive Wheel Loader lineup. The 744K-II, 824K-II, and 844K-II meet Final Tier 4 emissions standards while bringing added durability, productivity, increased uptime and lower daily operating costs to the jobsite.

The exclusive Gradall design allows the XL 4300 III Gradall excavators to work at the front, rear or either side of the machine without the need to use outriggers, which are an option on these Gradall models.

Midwestern’s HTU-350 and HTU-500 hydrostatic testing units are designed to automatically fill and test pipelines in one step.

The newly redesigned L20, a light tower and 20-kilowatt mobile generator combined – providing a single solution for two important oil and gas exploration and jobsite needs – power and light.

The next generation of Hitachi’s wheeled excavator models, the ZX190W-5 and ZX230W-5, are rolling out with a certified EPA Interim Tier 4/EU Stage IIIB Isuzu engine, power mode buttons for three work modes, automatic exhaust filter cleaning, auto shutdown, an enhanced monitor, centralized remote oil/fuel filter location and more.

PFERD has expanded the range of DUODISC combination cutting and grinding wheels to include 6- and 7-inch diameters.

The new CA1300 and CA1500 single-drum soil rollers are ideal for high maneuverability and visibility on parking lot, road, utility pipe and street projects.

During the 2014 International Water Association’s (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition, held in September in Lisbon, Portugal, CH2M HILL hosted a special reception honoring Dr. Glen Daigger, CH2M HILL senior vice president and chief water technology officer, who completed his second term as president of the IWA. Daigger, recognized worldwide as an expert in wastewater treatment technologies, served as IWA’s president since September 2010.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved financial assistance for a multi-phase drainage project and improvements to a local water system.

On Sept. 18, 2014, Congressman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) introduced the “Water Supply Cost Savings Act,” or “Savings Act,” legislation to provide small communities across the nation with critical information on the use of water wells and water well systems to deliver high quality, affordable drinking water.

The San Elijo Joint Powers Authority (SEJPA), in partnership with the city of Solana Beach, CA, announced the completion of its Storm Water Diversion Structure at Seascape Sur in Solana Beach.

From its inception in May 1992, the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) has been committed to educating and training its members on the use of traditional, trenchless and rehabilitation technologies, and promoting the use and application of these technologies along with addressing important trends and needs of the underground infrastructure industry.

<em><strong>EDITOR’S NOTE:</strong> This is the first installment of an occasional series focusing on what has become an essential marketing and support segment for underground construction contractors – effective, efficient, service-oriented dealerships. </em>

<em><em>EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2016, NASSCO will celebrate its 40th year of setting standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As we look forward, we also look back to those who have made significant contributions and have impacted the continued acceptance and use of trenchless technologies.</em>

NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) continues to have a positive impact on the nation’s sanitary sewer systems by establishing and improving standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure.

The disposal of drilling fluid residue has been a concern since horizontal directional drilling (HDD) was first used for underground utility construction.

The discussion around the proper design methodology of coatings and liners installed in sanitary sewer manhole structures is creating quite a roar in some circles these days.

Members of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) will gather in New Orleans from Feb. 7-12, for the association’s 54th Annual Convention.

In November 2014, Dr. Tom Iseley, founder of Buried Asset Management Institute- International (BAMI-I) and Director of Trenchless Technology Center, Louisiana Tech University, traveled to the Far East and Southeast Asia to conduct a 12-day program to promote the importance of innovation, validation and education to meet the expanding global challenges of the world’s rapidly deteriorating underground infrastructure.

The Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) has formed a new chapter covering the region from Austin through San Antonio and down to Laredo, TX.

Quadex has introduced GeoKrete, an advanced geopolymer repair mortar synthesized mostly of recycled industrial byproducts, enhanced with mono crystalline quartz aggregate that yields a strong, quick-setting repair mortar with exceptional chemical resistance.

Over a decade ago, the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) established a standardized data collection protocol for closed-circuit television (CCTV) pipeline inspection called the Pipeline Assessment and Certification Program (PACP).

LMK Technologies’ T-Liner with Insignia Hydrohat Compression Gasket Sealing System was recently named a winner of the 13th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards out of 500 plus nominees.

Root control by Duke’s Root Control and RootX.

Grouting technology & equipment by Avanti Intl., CUES, Logiball and Pipe Renewal Technologies.

Much of the country, indeed the world, is celebrating the fall of oil prices. The immediate and most obvious benefit is relief from high fuel prices.

Crawler dozers & pipelayers (sidebooms) by Midwestern Mfg., John Deere, CASE Construction Equipment, Volvo CE, Caterpillar and Pipeline Machinery Intl.

Gas producers and pipelines seem to be in general agreement about a FERC proposal to improve coordination between gas suppliers and electric transmission providers.