Associations
PPI Division’s New Name Reflects Expanding Use Of HDPE Conduit
The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), the major trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry, has renamed its Conduit Division as the Power & Communications Division (PCD). This change was prompted by growth within the division, uses of conduit in rapidly developing applica..
How To Get The Most From Your PACP-Certified Software
By NASSCO Member Ronnie Flannery-Guy, Business Development, Aqua Data Software certified by NASSCO’s Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) is required to generate and import a standard database file that is fully compatible with PACP. Contractors and system owners across the country have..
Big Crowd Enjoys PCCA Convention
Max Clark didn’t drop the mike when he closed the 2017 Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) annual convention, but he did drop some serious knowledge on an appreciative audience about how to look at your life’s work, how to run a business, and how to love your family. Max provided a ..
ASCE Publishes Updated Practices For Auger Boring
Horizontal Auger Boring Projects, Second Edition, is a comprehensive manual of practice covering horizontal auger boring techniques for pipeline crossing. The second edition of MOP 106 presents current practices for the planning, design and construction of pipelines under highways and railroads usin..
CIGMAT 2017 Highlights Challenges, Changes
The University of Houston’s Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT), and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering organized and hosted its 22nd annual conference and exhibition at the college on March 3. Titled “Infrastructure, Energy, Geotechnical, Flooding and..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Marilyn Baron
If someone would have told me, back when I was a young woman growing up on Long Island, NY, that I was going to make a long and distinguished career in the world of sewers, I would have told them they were crazy. From a very early age, I had my eyes set on the world of fashion. I attended the New Yo..
PLCAC Works To Promote Industry
The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) and its members generally had a good, solid year in 2016, believes the association’s President Neil K. Waugh. The PLCAC represents pipeline contractor members in labor relations with the four craft unions (whose members are involved in pipelin..
Digging Safely Starts With A Call To 811
Whether you are a professional excavator, contractor, engineer or utility owner, you play an important role in keeping people safe with every dig. Laws governing excavation vary by state, and they can be confusing. Answering the question, “Do I have to call 811?” can be difficult if you don’t unders..
PLCA Draws 548 Delegates To 69th Annual Convention
The Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) 69th Annual Convention was held at the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale, AZ, with 584 attendees. Many past presidents and honorary members attended the convention, and elected officers for 2017 were announced. Robert C. Osborn, senior vice president of the Pi..
Many Positives From Common Ground Alliance DIRT Report
The latest Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) report released in October 2016 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) contained the good news that efforts to reduce accidental damage to the nation’s underground utility infrastructure and build awareness of the free 811 service are making significa..
APCA Looks To Strong Future
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) closed out the year 2016 stronger than ever and with a high level of optimism for the energy policies of a new president and administration. “Over the past 12 to 18 months, APCA members were involved in building the majority of new natural gas in..
WRF Releases Results From Direct Potable Reuse Study
The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of potable reuse research, has released interim results from the ongoing study, “Blending Requirements for Water from Direct Potable Reuse Treatment Facilities” (#4536). The objective of this project is to provide guidance for the appropriate us..
Controversial BLM Rule Could Stimulate Gathering Line Construction
It is not often that a federal regulatory dictate is good for one section of the oil and gas industry but bad for another. But the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is part of the Department of Interior, manages to create that divergence with its November final rule which affects nearly 100,000..
Water Council Establishes ICE Institute Focused On Technology
The Water Council, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, launched a groundbreaking commercialization initiative that will match manufacturers, utilities and the agricultural industry with promising water and water-related technology research and innovations for advancement into the marketplace. The ICE (..
Municipal Sewer Grout School
The tradition continues as Aries, Avanti and Logiball join forces to bring hands-on demonstrations of equipment performance, and test and seal process of injection grout for compliance with the NASSCO/ICGA Operating Standard, Jan. 11-12, at Avanti International in Houston. Catering to those who spe..
Guy Leslie Joins Trio Vision As VP Sales
Guy Leslie has joined Trio Vision LLC as vice president of sales to help develop the manufacturer of closed-circuit television inspection equipment and grow its portfolio of regional, national and global accounts. Leslie brings a wealth of experience within the wastewater and water management indus..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Rudy Fernandez
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant contributions and impacted the cont..
Christine Wehrman Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Christine Wehrman, CEO and executive vice president of the American Rental Association (ARA), was presented with the European Rental Association (ERA) Lifetime Achievement Award. Wehrman, who previously announced her planned retirement from ARA, was honored by the recognition. “It has truly been a..
Pipeline Safety Bill Becomes Law; New Proposed Regs Become More Significant
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring transmission pipelines to plug methane leaks at compressor stations includes some softening of earlier-proposed requirements, but will still impose substantial costs as companies move to repair leaks at new or modified compressors and co..
Infrastructure Vision 2050 Names “Dream” Phase Winners
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced five winners in the second, “Dream”, phase of the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge. Launched earlier this year, the three-phased competition challenges a community of innovators to reimagine personal mobility, freight movement, and ..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Andy Drinkwater
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant contributions and impacted the cont..
DCA/AGA Workshop Dives Into New Issues, Workforce Development
The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) and American Gas Association (AGA) recently held the Third Annual DCA/AGA workshop in Chicago. The workshop has grown in interest, attendance and in the range of issues addressed by a host of panels and speakers. These sessions discussed ways to improve..
INGAA Says Aspects Of New Methane Emission Limits Troublesome
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring transmission pipelines to plug methane leaks at compressor stations includes some softening of earlier-proposed requirements, but will still impose substantial costs as companies move to repair leaks at new or modified compressors and co..
GTI Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) celebrates 75 years as a leading research, development and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry and government. GTI has provided high-impact technologies and te..
AEM’s Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group Identifies Priorities
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) new Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group is one of approximately a dozen created in response to the association members’ needs for executive-level, product-specific groups dedicated to the resolution of technical, regulatory, legislative or market-related ..
CIGMAT 2016 Focuses On Further Advancement
The Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, hosted its 21st annual, one-day conference and exhibition on at the University of Houston, March 4. More than 330 individuals and 14 invited speakers..
Uniform Soil Groups For Pipe Installation
By Amster Howard, P.E. The language in pipe installation specifications should be as clear, concise and consistent as possible. The engineer often relies on American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Standards of Testing and Measurement (ASTM) standards and manuals to prepare the project ..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Ray Bahr, Jr.
I was born in Hamden, CT, and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut. In 1951, I joined the Air Force where I attended pilot training school. After serving three years as an Air Force pilot, I left the military and returned to Connecticut to work for my father, Ray Bahr, Sr...
$546 Billion Needed in U.S., Canada Energy Infrastructure Investment
The United States and Canada will require annual average midstream natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids midstream energy infrastructure investment of about $26 billion per year, or $546 billion (real 2015$) total over the 21-year period from 2015 to 2035, a new study finds. The report, “N..
Water Leaders Discuss Lead Line Replacements
More than 100 water utility leaders from across shared strategies for removing the lead service lines connecting millions of older homes to water mains at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2016. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) hosted the event during Drinking Water Wee..
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis