Electric
John Deere and AGTEK Collaboration Increases Customer Support
As contractors increasingly use 3D digital models and GPS technology when grading a job site, John Deere is joining forces with AGTEK − a leading provider of takeoff and 3D modeling software for the civil construction industry − to increase efficiency and ease the takeoff and modeling process across..
Officials Probing After Several Manholes Explode in Massachusetts Town
BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — An electricity distribution company is investigating a series of manhole explosions in Brockton. Officials say firefighters found six manhole covers had blown off their bases early Monday. Fire shot up from the ground. At least two businesses had to evacuate. National Grid s..
Water Technology Program Names Inaugural Class
Pipeline H2O, a new water technology commercialization program managed by The Hamilton Mill, has announced its first class of companies. Supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, Pipeline H2O’s goal is to..
America Will Lose One-Third of its Electricity Generation Capacity Without More Infrastructure
A new report released by Consumer Energy Alliance found that rejecting pipeline infrastructure would remove almost one-third of U.S. electricity generation capacity by 2030, dangerously raising electric rates nationwide, especially for poverty-stricken households. The report, titled “Families, Comm..
SoCalGas to Use Fiber Optic Technology to Monitor Pipelines in Real Time
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) will be one of the first natural gas utilities in the United States to incorporate innovative fiber-optic cable technology to detect impacts and leaks along its transmission and high-pressure pipeline system. The technology uses fiber-optic strands to tran..
Eversource Files Appeal Over Gas Pipeline Capacity Agreement
Eversource has filed an appeal with the New Hampshire Supreme Court to overturn a regulatory decision on the company’s proposal to purchase natural gas pipeline capacity to be used to create electricity. The additional gas would be made available by the expansion of an existing pipeline and used to ..
Houston To Build Massive Northeast Transmission Waterline
The city of Houston is building the 16.5-mile Northeast Transmission Waterline as part of its Surface Water Transmission Program (SWTP) to meet the region’s projected 2040 water demand. Ultimately, the waterline will provide up to 96 million gallons per day (MGD) to the city and 269 MGD to local wat..
Company Increases Use of Drones to Inspect Electric Transmission Lines
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is increasing the use of drones for such things as inspecting equipment, navigating remote areas and managing some emergencies, as the utility tries to improve safety and efficiency while also saving money, company officials said. Westar and Kansas State University..
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Acquires the Empire District Electric Company
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. has announced that a subsidiary of Liberty Utilities Co., Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. wholly-owned regulated utility business, successfully completed its acquisition of the Empire District Electric Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximate..
University of Michigan, Google Create Flint Water Crisis App
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and Google have teamed up to create an app and website aimed at helping Flint residents and officials deal with the lead-contaminated water crisis. Mywater-Flint was developed by computer science researchers at the university’s Flint and Ann Arbor camp..
Willbros UTD Segment Announces Contracts Worth $105 Million
Willbros Group, Inc.’s Utility Transmission & Distribution segment has been awarded two new contracts worth an estimated value of $105 million. The first is the formalization of a discrete contract for the construction of an underground transmission duct bank. Construction by Willbros’ Utility Tran..
New Power Lines in Western U.S. Receive Federal Approval
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Two power line projects that won federal approval Tuesday will give a big capacity boost to the Western energy grid, including power for up to 1 million homes from what’s on track to become the biggest wind farm in the U.S. The TransWest Express project will help Califor..
Michels Upgrades Sewer and Catch Basin Cleaning Service
Michels Pipe Services has added a cost-effective, environmentally sound approach to sewer and catch basin cleaning in the Midwest. The service augments Michels’ comprehensive water and sewer maintenance and rehabilitation services throughout the nation. Michels recently purchased eight Camel 1200 w..
Michigan Legislators Focus on Energy Laws
LANSING (AP) — With just days left in the two-year term, the Michigan Legislature may be inching toward votes on what is billed as a comprehensive rewrite of state energy laws — legislation that Gov. Rick Snyder has made clear is his highest priority. The bills, which have divided majority House ..
Study: Electric and Gas Utilities Post All-Time High Customer Satisfaction
According to the 2016 Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement™: Residential study from Market Strategies International, customers are satisfied with electric and natural gas utility service but don’t trust their advice or digital competency. Consumers also doubt the industry’s ability to keep tr..
Colorado Celebrates “Water Research Foundation Day”
Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper proclaimed December 5, 2016 “Water Research Foundation Day,” in honor of The Water Research Foundation, a leading sponsor of innovative research supporting the water community. Originally based in New York, WRF has been a member of the Colorado business commun..
Energy Company Plans to Close Michigan Nuclear Plant in 2018
COVERT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — An energy company announced plans Thursday to permanently close the Palisades nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan in 2018, which could mean hundreds of job cuts for a major employer in the region if regulators approve the closure. New Orleans-based Entergy Cor..
The Great Lakes Water Utility Energy Challenge Launches
The Great Lakes Protection Fund and American Water Works Association have launched The Water Utility Energy and Efficiency Challenge, an innovative program which engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. The competition is aimed at connectin..
Major Underground Utility Infrastructure Conference Brings Education, Equipment To Fort Worth, TX
The 2017 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) is taking its benchmark education program to the Fort Worth Convention Center, Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Presented by Underground Construction magazine, UCT is the largest event in the United States focusing on undergroun..
Power Line to Link Canada, New England Gets Key US Permit
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A power line planned to run under Lake Champlain and link suppliers in Canada with consumers in southern New England has won a key federal permit, clearing its last big regulatory hurdle. Transmission Developers Inc. announced Monday its TDI-New England subsidiary had receive..
Commission: Michigan Should Spend $4 Billion More Annually on Infrastructure
(AP) – A report ordered by Gov. Rick Snyder says Michigan must spend $4 billion more annually to upgrade infrastructure that includes roads, water systems and the power grid. The study released Monday says the state and local governments spend less than the U.S. average and in surrounding states. ..
Vermeer RTX750 Ride-On Tractor
The Vermeer RTX750 Ride-On Tractor is powered by a 7-horsepower, Deutz TD2.9L4 diesel engine, has a max torque of 192 ft-lb and operator ear rating of 91 d(B)a. When equipped with rubber tires, the RTX750 is 72 inches wide, with a max transport speed (forward/reverse) of 5 mph. If difficult ground c..
Toro Pro Sneak 365
The Toro Pro Sneak 365 offers powerful plowing in a compact, maneuverable package — perfect for installing drip irrigation lines, electrical cable or other utilities in tight spaces. The narrow tire configuration, which spans 36” in width, allows for passage through gates or other obstacles, and the..
Water Research Foundation Appoints John Albert as Chief Research Officer
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has appointed John Albert as Chief Research Officer. Albert will contribute to the strategic direction of WRF as part of the Senior Management Team and as director of Research Services and Subscribers Services. “We are excited that John has accepted the role of C..
Carylon Purchases Pipeline Asset Management And Investigative Technologies
Carylon Corporation, a North American comprehensive environmental maintenance service provider, has purchased several state-of-the-art pipeline asset management and investigative technologies from JD7 that allow Carylon to inspect and conduct condition assessments in live pressure water mains across..
SoCalGas Deploys Sensors to Detect Methane and Enhance Public Safety
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has completed demonstration testing of new gas detection sensors employing its Advanced Meter communication system as part of its overall pipeline safety efforts. The sensors can detect natural gas leaks quickly near natural gas pipelines and serves as an e..
John Deere Integrates SmartGrade Technology Into 750K, 850K Dozers
John Deere is building on its lineup of SmartGrade crawler dozers with the integration of the machine control offering on the 750K and 850K models. “The launch of our 700K SmartGrade dozer was a huge hit earlier this year, and many of our customers asked for the grade control technology to be integ..
UT Austin Engineering Becomes New Home for EPA Water Infrastructure Center
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $3.9 million to researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin to establish the new Center for Infrastructure Modeling and Management, which will develop and improve open source water infrastructure mo..
Vactor HXX ParaDIGm® Vacuum Excavator Wins Award at 15th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards
The Vactor HXX ParaDIGm®, a compact vacuum excavator, has been named a winner at the 15th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The Chicago Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative new products or services brought to market or public service in the Chicago area each year. The award was presented..
Utility Eyes Burning Thinning Debris to Protect Water Supply
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona water and power utility is conducting an experiment to add forest-thinning debris to coal burned by an electricity-generating plant. It aims to make thinning more economical to help avoid devastating wildfires producing runoff that would contaminate reservoirs. A tes..
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- Hudson Tunnel Project set to generate 95,000 jobs during construction phase, report says
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action