Associations

New Pipeline Safety Proposal Contains Multiple New Requirements

Pipeline industry executives are pouring over the 500-plus page pipeline safety proposal from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an effort that will take some time before informed comments can be made. The initial comment deadline is at the end of May. “The typical 6..

WEF, WateReuse Analysis Demonstrates SRF Benefits

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association released a new economic benefits analysis on the impacts of increased funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), May 3, 2016. The analysis revealed a requested $34.7 billion of federal SRF spending ..

ARA Projects Revenue Growth for Equipment Rental Industry

The American Rental Association (ARA), which offers quarterly updates to its 5-year forecast for rental equipment industry revenue to reflect the most up-to-date economic factors, released its second quarter outlook, May 2. The total U.S. rental revenue in 2016 is expected to reach a record $47.9 b..

AWWA, Water Sector Celebrate Drinking Water Week

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and water professionals across the country kicked off Drinking Water Week, May 1. Throughout the week, AWWA and the water community will celebrate Drinking Water Week with the theme “Your Water – To Know It Is To Love It”. Recognizing the vital role water..

DCA 2016 Convention Draws Record Attendance

Coming off a strong year for construction, the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) attracted a near record attendance of 460 people to its annual convention in Naples, FL. The five-day meeting was filled with social events, networking opportunities and committee meetings such as HDD, Govern-..

Registration Opens For UESI/ASCE Pipelines 2016 Conference

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ newest institute, the Underground Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI), will hold its annual Pipelines Conference in Kansas City, MO, from July 17 -20. This year’s conference is appropriately titled “Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Not Out Of Risk.” The Pipel..

Property Values Unaffected By Presence Of Pipelines, New Report Finds

The presence of an underground natural gas transmission pipeline does not affect the sales prices or value of residential properties, according to a new study, Pipeline Impact to Property Value and Property Insurability, conducted by Integra Realty Resources (IRR) on behalf of the Interstate Natural..

The DCA Safety Award: Building A Culture Of Safety

Each year the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) recognizes member contractors for achieving outstanding safety records the previous year. The DCA has been recognizing safe practices with the award since 1986. In recent years, about 85 companies have submitted entries. The award’s namesake,..

National Safe Digging Month 2016 One Call List

Whether you are a professional excavator, contractor, engineer or utility owner, you play an important role 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 understan..

INGAA, CEPA Boards Vote To Certify Pipeline Inspectors By 2018

The board of directors for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of American (INGAA) and INGAA Foundation, along with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) and the CEPA Foundation, voted to endorse a program tailored to certify pipeline inspectors conducting work for their member companie..

John Nelson Played Significant Role in Establishing NASSCO Vision and Objectives

NASSCO Standard Bearers: John Nelson 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..

NASSCO Celebrates 40th Anniversary Hawaiian Style

The National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) celebrated its 40th anniversary in style by holding their annual convention at the Sheraton Resort in Maui, HI. A record crowd of more than 200 attended the convention, enjoying warm weather, blue skies, sandy beaches and clear ocean water..

$3.2 million Approved for California Water Audit Validation

In an action approved by the California State Water Resources Control Board earlier this year, the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) will receive $3.2 million over the next two years to assist California’s water agencies in producing validated system wate..

DCA Has Near Record Attendance in Naples

Coming off a strong year for construction, the Distribution Contractors Association attracted a near record attendance of 460 people to it’s annual convention in Naples, Florida. The five day meeting was filled with social events, networking opportunities, committee meetings (including the HDD, Gov..

INGAA Board Reiterates Commitments, Supports Adoption Of Industry Standards

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) board of directors voted to reaffirm the organization’s commitment to underground natural gas storage integrity and accelerate implementation of industry storage standards in February. In addition, the board voted to support the Pipeline and..

NASSCO: 40 Years Of Trenchless Rehab Leadership

by Robert Carpenter, Editor-In-Chief In 1976, a fledgling association was born to serve the rehabilitation sewer market. From those humble days, through many ups and downs, the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) has grown into the leading trenchless rehabilitation organization..

PLCA President Expects Strong Near-Term Construction Market

By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor It was business as usual in 2015 for the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) and its contractor members, said the association’s president, Frank Welch. “However, we believe that’s going to change,” said Welch. “We’re expecting a boom in 2016, and most members ar..

Momentum For NASSCO Initiatives Continues

by Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor It seems like every year is an eventful time for National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), the national organization dedicated to improving standards relating to the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground wastewater infrastructure. ..

Vactor Announces AEM Participation

Vactor Manufacturing, a provider of vacuum excavators for utility, oil and gas, telecommunication and industrial water system applications, announced its participation in the Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) Vacuum Excavator Leadership Group – a group formed to develop essential marketi..

New Year, Big Changes For UCTA

By Chantel Green, Associate Editor UCTA Training, Education 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 u..

NASSCO Standard Bearers: Harold Kosova

This month, NASSCO honors Harold Kosova and his many contributions to the rehabilitation industry. Kosova was born in 1935 in Chicago and graduated from DeVry Technical Institute. His career began at National Power Rodding Corp. in 1960 and continued until he retired as president in mid-2014. Nation..

AEM Launches Competition to Address $3.6 Trillion Infrastructure Problem in America

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) today announced the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge— a three-phased, crowd-sourced competition to award a total of $150,000 in prizes for innovative ideas to overhaul the crumbling infrastructure that Americans rely upon to move people, materials..

DCA Continues To Expand Influence

Members of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) will gather in Naples, FL, Feb. 15 – 20 for the association’s 55th Annual Convention. DCA Chief Executive Officer Rob Darden expects more than 400 members and spouses will attend the annual convention at the Naples Grande Beach Resort situate..

Earn CEUs/PDHs at UCT!

Earn CEUs/PDHs at UCT by attending the UCT primary education program  as well as seminars and workshops hosted by industry partners, Monday, Feb. 1 through Tuesday, Feb. 2. These programs will be held at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Advance registration is necessary as seating is limited. Take ..

Industry Coalition Addresses Workforce Challenges

The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) is forming a multi-industry alliance to recognize and assess problems in relation to workforce capacity challenges faced by the energy construction sector, where instability is expected to strain the financial resources, leadership and personnel within ..

NASSCO Standard Bearers: Michael Burkhard

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 trenchle..

Contractor Workforce Standardized Training

Training Contractor Workforce Top Priority At the first-of-its-kind Distribution Contractors Association/American Gas Association (DCA/AGA) Utility Contractor Workshop in Chicago, presenters and attendees were single-minded in their focus on one goal: to ensure the growing contractor workforce has ..

Sheehan Construction’s Riess elected INGAA Foundation chairman

The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation’s board of directors elected Robert A. Riess, Sr., president and chief executive officer of Sheehan Pipe Line Construction Company, as its new chairman. Riess will serve a one-year term which began on November 7, 2015. In 2004, Ri..

Senate Hears About Inadequacy Of Gas Transmission Proposal

Don Santa showed increasing frustration with the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) continued failure to move forward with important pipeline safety regulations. At Senate hearings on Sept. 29, the INGAA chief said that gas transmission pipelines are hesitant to make e..

INGAA launches America’s Energy Link campaign

In response to the heavy natural gas pipeline development across the U.S., the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) and the INGAA Foundation, its research sector, have launched a campaign focused on educating American consumers on the benefits of natural gas and natural gas pipeline..