August 2020 Vol. 75 No. 8
Newsline
Newsline
Remembering Ron Halderman
Ron Halderman, a widely respected HDD pioneer whose more than 35 years of experience helped define the future of trenchless technology, died at 72 in Billings, Montana, after battling cancer.
Throughout his career in the design and management of HDD projects, including design build and EPC delivery methods, Ron never ceased to find a better way to serve his clients in the industry. A registered professional engineer, he held a degree in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and graduate studies from the University of Idaho.
Ron managed a number of award-winning projects across the globe, published many articles and presented numerous papers, and played a prominent role in the trenchless curriculum for the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, co-sponsored by Underground Construction magazine.
He was involved in many “firsts” in this industry, including the first mile-long drill, first drill under an airport runway and first mile-long drill in rock. He held two HDD-related patents entitled “Apparatus and Method for Recirculating Mud When Drilling under an Obstacle” and “Drilling Fluid Recovery when Drilling under an Obstacle or Water Body.” He also was the co-creator of thixotropic thermal grout (No-Set™) for high voltage electrical transmission systems.
Ron was inducted into the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) Hall of Fame in 2015 for his contributions to the advancement of both the trenchless technology industry.
Ron served as director of special projects for Mears Group, where he was admired as a pillar of integrity and accomplishments. “Mears was privileged to have a person of Ron’s stature in its ranks and is thankful for his innovativeness and passion for his work,” the company said in a statement. “He will always remain part of the Mears family and is an integral part of the company’s history as a truly remarkable person.”
He was also a beloved father, husband, son and friend to many. His wife, Lynn, who was always present and supportive of his career, can attest to his quirky humor, but also of his grounded stability and love for his family.
The family will be donating to Colorado School of Mines in memory of Ron. Contributions can be made by check payable to Lynn Halderman.
Supreme Court Reinstates Permit 12 but Excludes Keystone XL
The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the Army Corps of Engineers’ use of Nationwide Permit 12 but refused to let TC Energy resume construction on the U.S. portion of its Keystone XL pipeline under the fast-track permit.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris of Montana ruled in April that the Corps violated federal law by failing to adequately consult on risks to endangered species and habitat, and that it must comply before it can apply the nationwide permit to any project. That ruling not only impacted Keystone XL, but also threatened to delay more than 70 pipeline projects across the United States and add up to $2 billion in costs, according to industry estimates.
The Trump administration in June asked the Supreme Court to revive Permit 12 and allow Keystone XL and other new oil and gas pipelines to resume construction across waterways. In July, the high court accepted the request to lift a court-ordered freeze on the program but singled out the Keystone XL project in a one-paragraph order without explaining the rationale for its decision.
TC Energy said it remains “fully committed” to the Keystone pipeline but will continue to evaluate its 2020 U.S. scope.
PG&E Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after Confessing to Wildfire Deaths
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after successfully completing its restructuring process and implementing a reorganization plan that was confirmed in late June by the U.S. bankruptcy court.
Completion of the lengthy case came only days after the San Francisco-based company confessed to killing 84 people in one of the most devastating wildfires in recent U.S. history. That plea came during a dramatic criminal court hearing punctuated by a promise from the company’s outgoing CEO that the nation’s largest utility will never again put profits ahead of safety.
PG&E CEO Bill Johnson personally appeared in the Butte County courthouse to plead guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter stemming from a November 2018 wildfire ignited by the utility’s crumbling electrical grid. The blaze nearly wiped out the entire town of Paradise and drove PG&E into bankruptcy.
“Our equipment started that fire,” Johnson acknowledged. ”PG&E will never forget the Camp Fire and all that it took away from the region.”
PG&E’s complicated bankruptcy case was used to work out $25.5 billion in settlements to pay for the damages from the fire and others in 2017. The bankruptcy deals include $13.5 billion earmarked for wildfire victims.
Developers Cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline Despite Positive Court Ruling
The developers of the long-delayed, $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline announced that they have cancelled construction of the multi-state natural gas project, citing uncertainties about costs, permitting and litigation.
The decision came in spite of a victory at the U.S. Supreme Court over a critical permit, which would have allowed the pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail.
Dominion Energy and Duke Energy said in a news release that “recent developments have created an unacceptable layer of uncertainty and anticipated delays” for the 600-mile project, which was designed to cross West Virginia and Virginia into North Carolina.
Separately, Dominion, which serves more than 7 million customers in 20 states, announced it agreed to sell substantially all of its gas transmission and storage assets to an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway for $9.7 billion.
Utility Ordered to Pay $53 Million Fine for Fatal Pipeline Blasts
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts was ordered to pay a $53 million criminal fine for violation of the Pipeline Safety Act when it caused a series of natural gas explosions in 2018 that killed one person and damaged dozens of homes. It is the largest criminal fine ever imposed under the pipeline safety law.
The judge also sentenced the company to a three-year probation period during which its operations will be monitored to ensure its complying with safety regulations.
The sentencing came about three months after the company pleaded guilty in federal court to causing the blasts. After that plea deal was announced in February, Eversource said it agreed to buy Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ natural gas assets for $1.1 billion. Federal authorities said the three-year probation period will last until Columbia Gas is sold.
The plea deal is separate from a $143 million settlement reached last year with residents and businesses affected by the blasts.
Authorities blamed the explosions on overpressurized gas lines, saying the company failed to account for critical pressure sensors as workers replaced century-old cast-iron pipes in Lawrence. That omission caused high-pressure gas to flood the neighborhood’s distribution system at excessive levels.
California Announces $83.9 Million in Grants for Water Resilience Projects
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has awarded $83.9 million in grants to communities in the Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Diego, Sierra and Central Coast regions for water infrastructure projects.
Provided through DWR’s Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program, these funds will support projects that address aging infrastructure, flood control, depleted groundwater levels and other critical needs in communities throughout the state.
Key projects awarded funding include $3.7 million to divert stormwater runoff in San Diego County to a biofiltration basin
where pollutants will be removed and will also replace old concrete lining in the creek with more fish-friendly natural streambank reinforcement. It also includes $3.8 million to replace and improve infrastructure in the Oroville Region for collecting, treating and reusing wastewater.
Additional awards went to the Merced Irrigation District ($1.32 million) to reduce flood risk and improve drinking water supplies, as well as the Central Coast Wetlands Group and City of Salinas ($1 million); Lower Cosumnes River ($1 million); and Mariposa County Resource Conservation District ($700,000).
The remaining award of about $37 million for the Los Angeles/Ventura funding area will be announced.
Industry Survey Shows Construction Activity Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels
A June survey by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and data from construction technology firm Procore showed that construction activity was returning to pre-coronavirus levels in many parts of the country, and some firms were adding workers.
The economic data, however, also showed some future projects were being canceled and many others were being delayed by supply chain issues and labor shortages, underscoring the need for additional federal recovery measures, association officials said.
Construction activity had returned to pre-coronavirus levels in 34 states, based on data on workers’ hours analyzed by Procore, including Dallas and Miami. But the survey predated a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in both Texas and Florida in late June and July.
AGC’s survey found that only 8 percent of construction firms were forced to furlough or lay off workers in June while 21 percent reported adding employees, compared to 25 percent of firms letting workers go between March and May.
“But it is important to remember that construction activity typically increases quite a bit between March 1 and the end of May as the weather improves and more work gets underway,” Simonson commented. “Getting to March 1 levels is a sign of progress, but it doesn’t mean things are back to normal.”
Aegion Corporation Awarded $6 Million Wastewater Rehabilitation Contract
Aegion Corporation announced that its Insituform Technologies subsidiary was awarded a mainline sewer rehabilitation contract valued at $6 million in East Richland County, South Carolina.
Insituform will rehabilitate more than 8,900 linear feet of sewer pipelines using 54-inch, cured-in-place (CIPP) pipe. Crews will also perform cleaning and closed-circuit TV (CCTV) activities, manhole rehabilitation, service lateral lining and bypass pumping.
Other elements of the project will include several “over-the-hole” CIPP installations, as well as erosion control and restoration of grasses around a private golf course and temporary construction entrances.
The project is expected to begin this summer and conclude in late 2020. •
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