Business
USG Water Solutions to enhance U.S. water, wastewater infrastructure following “significant” milestone
USG Water Solutions announced the opening of USG West in Ontario, California, its newest service center. This location―its second on the West Coast―marks another significant milestone in the company's work to enhancing water and wastewater infrastructure asset and operations management services for utilities and private water companies across the United States.
Fiber Broadband Association launches new state broadband office membership program
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced a new membership program for State Broadband Offices. Open to all state and territory broadband offices, this program includes access to FBA research, events, and the OpTIC Path™ fiber optic technician training program, as well as networking and social events.
Delek Logistics adds over 250 miles of buried Permian assets with H20 Midstream acquisition
Through greenfield development, organic growth and the integration of several strategic acquisitions, H2O Midstream developed a system comprised of 250+ miles of buried pipe across a ~400 square mile footprint.
California American Water acquires Yerba Buena Water Company’s water distribution system
California American Water has entered into an agreement to acquire Yerba Buena Water Company’s water distribution system, which serves approximately 249 customer connections in unincorporated Ventura County.
Business People
Meet the latest business leaders making waves in their industries.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires trenchless utility firm Oxbow Construction
Azuria Water Solutions, the leader in technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the acquisition of Oxbow Construction, a trenchless utility company based in Troutdale, Oregon.
CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
A pioneer in trenchless rehabilitation and boring/tunneling, Robert "Bob" Affholder passed away Friday, July 26.
McElroy receives OSHA SHARP recognition for workplace safety
McElroy has been recognized for its commitment to workplace safety with a new designation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
Plastics Pipe Institute releases free instructional video library for underground piping materials
Called Training Shorts, the teaching modules focus on piping materials such as CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, PP. Topics include joining, installation, fusion, trenching, design, testing, sustainability plus other subjects important to those involved in drainage, natural gas, heating, plumbing, water, and sewer systems plus conduit projects.
Felting Trailers hosts annual FT-3 utility trailer auction to support Backing the Blue Line nonprofit
Felling Trailers, Inc. is hosting its twelfth annual online auction of an FT-3 drop deck utility trailer to support a nonprofit organization. The 2024 beneficiary is Backing the Blue Line, an organization dedicated to supporting the law enforcement community.
Energy Transfer, Suncor combine to operate 5,000 miles of oil, produced water pipelines in Permian basin
Energy Transfer will serve as the operator of the joint venture and contribute its Permian crude oil and produced water gathering assets and operations. Sunoco will contribute all its Permian crude oil gathering assets and operations to the joint venture.
Diversified expands with 500 miles of natural gas pipelines in East Texas acquisition
Diversified Energy Company has agreed to buy natural gas assets, including over 500 miles of pipelines and compression facilities, in eastern Texas from Crescent Pass Energy for $106 million.
Gulf Energy Information appoints Catherine Watkins as chief commercial officer to drive market expansion
Gulf Energy Information, a premier B2B media company in the global energy sector, proudly announces the transition of Catherine Watkins from chief financial officer to chief commercial officer, effective immediately.
GTI Energy appoints internationally recognized utility leaders to Board of Directors
GTI Energy elected Kelcey Brown, President and CEO of MidAmerican Energy, and William (Bill) Yardley, as directors. Additionally, Nickolas Stavropoulos, an internationally recognized utility safety culture leader, and John Somerhalder II, an energy industry executive experienced in governance and strategy execution, will serve as Chair and Vice Chair of GTI Energy’s Board of Directors.
Bird to acquire B.C. construction firm Jacob Bros for $135 million
(UI) — Bird Construction Inc. is set to acquire Jacob Bros Construction, a B.C.-based civil infrastructure contractor, for $135 million. The deal is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2024, pending regulatory approvals and other conditions.
Business News
Discover the latest innovations and industry collaborations in underground construction.
Inside Infrastructure: 8th DCA/AGA workshop bolsters communication, cooperation
The 8th annual DCA & AGA Workshop, held in Kansas City, brought together 140 industry representatives and featured discussions on pipeline safety, workforce development, cybersecurity, and legislative challenges, highlighting the critical importance of collaboration in the gas distribution industry.
20-year underground construction veteran named VP of Prime Resins
Jeremey Sukola, who will continue in his role as Water and Wastewater Market Manager for Carboline, brings to this new leadership role extensive experience spanning over 20 years in the underground construction and corrosion control industry.
New Jersey American Water to invest $50 million over 10 years to improve Salem’s water, wastewater infrastructure
These investments include a robust capital improvement plan, including critical system upgrades, implementation of PFNA treatment and repairing the City’s aging water and wastewater infrastructure.
EarthGrid successfully field tests tunnel boring robot, launches two-torch plasma excavation system
With a more powerful and efficient tunneling system on the horizon for the EarthGrid team, this technology will create underground pathways to connect transmission and fiber cabling from providers to homes, data centers and businesses, delivering reliable and resilient energy and internet access nationwide.
McElroy celebrates seven decades of business with new company museum
The museum is made up of a series of vignettes, each one showcasing a milestone in McElroy’s history. This includes the first products designed by founder Art McElroy, the company’s foray into fintube and butt fusion equipment, and the evolution of its digital and equipment offerings.
Atwell expands Gulf Coast presence with Hydro Consultants acquisition
Founded in 1984, Hydro Consultants services include land surveys, hydrographic surveys, pipeline route surveys, industrial site surveys, GIS, and more.
Phillips 66 sells interest in 1,700-mile Rockies Express Pipeline for $1.28 billion
REX, a 1,714-mile pipeline system, is one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the United States and provides over 5 billion cubic feet per day of bi-directional natural gas transportation service between the Rockies, Appalachia and the northeastern United States.
Avanti names new directors in sales teams reorganization
The new appointments inlcude: Chris Hamilton, Director, Municipal Division; Jacob Swanson, Director, Geotechnical Division; Keith Sisson, Director, Industrial & Dealer Channel Divisions; and Chris M. Hamilton, Director, National Accounts.
NW Natural Water acquires Puttman Infrastructure and ICH, expands into California market
This acquisition will add approximately 4,200 water, wastewater, and recycled water customers across Oregon, Idaho, and California, with an expected growth to 19,000 connections at full buildout.
Enbridge adds over 21,000 miles of natural gas distribution, transmission pipelines with Questar Gas Company acquisition
Questar Gas's asset portfolio includes over 21,000 miles (over 33,500 km) of natural gas distribution and transmission pipelines, a liquefied natural gas storage facility that enhances system reliability, and interconnections to multiple interstate natural gas pipelines.
GridHawk to expand critical utility damage prevention services with MidOcean investment
GridHawk offers utility locating, watch & protect, advanced locating, leak detection, infrastructure mapping, and other damage prevention services for high consequence subsurface infrastructure including natural gas, electric, telecom, water, and sewer utilities nationwide.
Energy Transfer adds 6,000-mile pipeline network to Permian portfolio with $3.25 billion WGT Midstream acquisition
6,000-mile pipeline network serves significant operators in some of the most active areas of the Midland Basin including Martin, Howard, Upton, Reagan and Irion counties.
Subsurface infrastructure services provider Pro-Vac acquiers hydro-excavation company Kinetic
Pro-Vac, a provider of essential subsurface infrastructure services, has acquired Kinetic, a provider of hydro excavation services in the Rocky Mountain region and DMV-area. The combination significantly enhances and expands Pro-Vac’s scale and geographic reach.
Business People
Meet the latest business leaders making waves in their industries. Tsurumi Pump appoints John Hartz as sales engineer, Woolpert welcomes Kristi Norman as market director, Yanmar honors three service professionals with the Yanmar Service Awards, and SGH adds Payman K. Tehrani and Ikpoto Udoh, Ph.D., to its senior leadership team. Stay informed with the latest updates in the business world!
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Sinkhole in Texas town accrues over $800,000 in sewer rehabilitation costs
- Water and Sewer Damage Awareness Week highlights infrastructure challenges
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- GasTracker Accurately Locates Plastic Gas Pipes
- Union County, Ga., breaks ground on $20.5 million fiber broadband expansion project