Associations
UCT Daily News: Wednesday, Jan. 26
Here's the latest from the UCT International Conference and Exhibition going on now at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. What are you missing? Yesterday, trenchless industry association UCTA bestowed its annual Most Valuable Professional Award on CIGMAT's Dr. Cumaraswamy Vipulanadan, Ph.D. Barbco unveiled a much-requested disc cutter, debuting at UCT after over a decade's wait for a commercial offering. UCT's first ever SafeZone started offering attendees a shot at locating a tricky line on-site, while the Rehab Zone showed off with live demonstrations of three separate technologies.
PLCA Activity Levels Remain High
Since its inception, a primary responsibility of the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) has been to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with the four international unions with pipeline jurisdiction--the Teamsters, United Association, Operating Engineers and Laborers.
Accomplishments Accumulate For NASSCO
This past year (2010) was a busy and eventful period for NASSCO (the National Association of Sewer Service Companies). There were many highlights, said NASSCO President Brad Dutruch, including:
FERC Investigates Pipeline Rates; PHMSA Rejects INGAA Pleas
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is investigating the possibility that two interstate pipelines are charging unreasonable rates. The FERC opened mid-November investigations of Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC and Ozark Gas Transmission LLC, a unit of Spectra Energy Partners LP., based on reviews of Form 2 cost of service and revenue information submitted by the two companies for 2008 and 2009.
Irv Gemora: Taking NASSCO To New Heights
For the first time in decades, Irv Gemora doesn’t have a “regular” job to go to each day. After retiring as executive director of NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) last August, Gemora helped with the transition of the association’s new executive director, Ted DeBoda, and he remains on the payroll as a consultant until February.
Right Time, Right Opportunity For New NASSCO Executive Director
Ted DeBoda took over as executive director of NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) in August 2010 and has settled in quickly, managing on-going association programs and looking ahead to the challenges of the future.
NASTT Trenchless Good Practices Programs schedule released
The North America Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) has released a schedule of its Trenchless Good Practices courses for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011. These programs benefit utility contractors and municipal organizations alike. NASTT educational and training programs cover a wide range of trenchless methods and are designed for experienced professionals, as well as newcomers to the industry.
INGAA releases white paper on pipeline energy efficiency
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) released a white paper, Interstate Natural Gas Pipeline Efficiency, analyzing the achievements and challenges in connection with optimizing the energy efficiency of natural gas pipeline transportation.
INGAA Has Record Attendance At Las Vegas Annual Meeting
More than 280 key transmission, engineering, contracting and vendor personnel attended the INGAA Foundation’s 20th Annual Meeting at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas this past November. In addition to committee meetings presentations included “Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Natural Gas Industry” by Keith Rattie, chairman of Questar Corp...
Overlooked – Again
When President Obama came out with his “bold” vision for renewing and expanding infrastructure in America, it was much lauded by the White House as a plan that combines a long-term vision for the country’s infrastructure future with new investments.
Solutions For Lateral Rehab
In many American cities, the sanitary sewer laterals that connect homes and commercial structures to sewer main lines have been allowed to deteriorate and become a significant source of sewer system inflow and infiltration (I&I), along with other problems.
INGAA responds to San Bruno fire disaster
A subdivision in the city of San Bruno, CA, was engulfed in flames when a natural gas pipeline exploded on Sept. 9. Pacific Gas & Electric Co., which owns the pipeline, and federal investigators are probing the pipeline blast that killed at least four people and damaged 58 homes in the hilly neighborhood. Three people remain missing at the time of this report.
CIGMAT Report: Update From This Unique, Industry-Specific Ongoing Research Program
The Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) Research Center was established in 1994 at the University of Houston, Houston TX. CIGMAT’s goals are to foster improved understanding of grouting and coating materials under various applications. Also of interest are other competing and complementary materials and technologies to grouting and coatings used in the construction and rehabilitation of civil infrastructure and offshore pipelines.
Proper Nozzle Selection In Sewer Cleaning
Choosing the correct nozzle (or nozzles) for a sewer cleaning job can be a daunting task for the uninformed. However, with a little bit of information and understanding of the task at hand, this process can be quite simple. The purpose of this installment of NASSCO’s Tech Tips is to provide the buyer and the end user a quick guide to the initial purchase and field usage of the proper sewer tool.
NASSCO Selects New Executive Director
The National Association of Sewer Service Companies’ (NASSCO) Board of Directors has selected Ted DeBoda, P.E., to succeed Irvin Gemora as executive director. In October 2009, Gemora announced his decision to retire effective February 2011. He purposely made an early announcement because he knew that it would take considerable time and energy to recruit the best candidate.
PLCA Canada Holds 56th Annual Convention In Newfoundland
Roughly 280 delegates braved the weather and travel to attend the 56th annual meeting held at the Sheraton in St. John’s Newfoundland. There were representatives present from 16 regular and 46 associate member firms, plus the pipeline craft unions and various guests including several past presidents. At the end of 2009 the association had 34 regular members and 66 associates.
NASSCO Names DeBoda Executive Director
The National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) Board of Directors has selected Ted DeBoda, P.E., to succeed Irvin Gemora as Executive Director. DeBoda is currently manager of the URS Corporation’s Baltimore Office.
Sanitary Sewer Operations: Blockage Removal
Of all sanitary sewer operations, blockage removal is perhaps the most demanding and highly visible. For the purpose of this discussion a blockage is defined as the “stopping or interruption of sanitary sewerage flow.”
NASTT Celebrates 20th Anniversary
In 2010, the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founded in 1990, NASTT is composed of trenchless professionals who are concerned with underground systems and the applications of trenchless technology.
Pressures in Sewer Cleaning
Without a doubt, the most misunderstood facet of sewer cleaning is the relationship between flows and pressures. Generally, pressure is mistakenly viewed as the wildcard or the reason for concern, and flow is usually ignored. Operators often misunderstand the operation of their pump, the relationship to hose diameter and length to performance and other variables of jetting.
GPS Technology Enhancing Underground Utility Locating
Communication in the underground locating business is vital to providing accurate and timely information between one-call centers, utilities, locators and excavators. However, often even the best lines of communication can break down, whether it’s transferring data or just communications between the different stakeholders.
Association’s New Name Better Reflects Its Role
The Gulf Coast Trenchless Association has launched a new name to better reflect the association’s role within the underground construction industry.
Editor's Log: Raising The Rehab Bar
Cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation technology for sewer systems has been an industry force for decades. The technology is generally well-accepted as an excellent trenchless alternative to dig-and-replace.
DCA Looks To New Leadership, Better Economy
During 2009, members of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) dealt with the effects of a continuing economic recession as well as making a transition in leadership with the retirement of longtime Executive Vice President Dennis Kennedy and hiring as his replacement Robert (Rob) Darden.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Nearly 90 attendees heard the city of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department Director Michael Marcotte address the Dec. 9, 2009 luncheon of the Underground Construction Technology Association held in Houston.
PLCA Market Remains Strong
In spite of a worldwide recession that has affected most areas of construction, members of the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) were busy throughout 2009, said association President Don W. Thorn.
Changing Of The Guard At DCA
Every year is busy and eventful for the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), one of the most visible and active trade associations representing the interests of its contractor members in the underground construction industry.
NASSCO Continues With Diverse Program Development
The past year has been another busy one for NASSCO – the National Association of Sewer Service Companies – as the association continues to make significant contributions to the storm and sanitary sewer rehabilitation industries.
Billions Needed To Meet Long-Term Natural Gas Infrastructure Supply, Demands
Projected growth in North American natural gas supplies and market growth in the U.S. and Canada will require billions of dollars of additional investment in pipeline, storage and other midstream infrastructure through 2030, according to a new study released by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation Inc.
NASTT Michael E. Argent Memorial Scholarship
The North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) has announced a new student scholarship program established in the memory of Michael E. Argent, one of the five founders of NASTT and a motivating force behind the growth of trenchless technology in the United States.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure