Electric
Utility Achieves Methane Capture Milestone
SmSouthern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the company has passed the one million cubic foot mark in its ongoing methane capture initiative. This innovative process allows for gas that would otherwise be vented to the atmosphere during pipeline replacement work to be saved and reinject..
90% of Power Outages Restored in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Floridians are still without power more than a week after Hurricane Irma slammed into the state. The state’s emergency management division reported Monday that more than 407,000 homes and businesses are still without electricity. That’s nearly 4 per..
Furukawa Electric to Expand Fiber Optic Cable Production Capacity
Furukawa Electric Company today announced plans to nearly double its 2016 fiber optic manufacturing capacity by 2019 and to also increase its fiber optic cable manufacturing capacity. Between 2014 and 2016, the company increased its global fiber production capacity by 20% and initially planned ..
Hydro One and Avista File Applications for Regulatory Approval of Merger
Hydro One Limited and Avista Corporation have filed Applications requesting regulatory approval of the proposed merger of the two companies that was announced on July 19, 2017. The applications have been filed with state utility commissions in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Alaska, as w..
Water Technology Program Now Accepting Applications
Pipeline H2O announced it is now accepting applications for the 2018 class. Supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations, Pipeline H2O is looking for companies working on water technologies that solve various aspects of the world’s water issues such..
Cross Bore Analysis Review of Best Practices And Changing Trenchless Market
Since the first cross bore discovery in Kenosha, WI, in 1976, investor-owned utilities and municipalities have completed substantial research and discovery into cross bore prevention, trenchless construction innovation and safety awareness. As trenchless technology has improved, the ability of the c..
Arcadis Acquires E2 ManageTech
Arcadis, the leading global design and consultancy firm for natural and built assets, has acquired enterprise technology solutions firm E2 ManageTech, which provides information technology and business services for the environmental, health and safety (EHS) information market. “Our clients around t..
$26 Million Construction Contract Awarded in Texas
Sterling Construction Company, Inc’s subsidiary, Texas Sterling Construction Co., has been awarded a $26.6 million construction contract for the City of Frisco Main Street project in Frisco, Texas. The City of Frisco Main Street project includes widening a three mile section of Main Street from FM 4..
Axalta Unveils Latest Addition to Internal Pipe Coatings Portfolio
Axalta Coating Systems has released the Nap-Gard 7-0015 Tan Internal FBE, a thermosetting epoxy powder designed to pass Saudi Aramco’s 09-SAMSS-091 (2011) specification that delivers high adhesion properties to effectively protect pipelines subject to H2S, CO2 and CH4 exposure. “Axalta is excited t..
Now a Tropical Storm, Irma Hits Florida with Wind, Flooding
TAMPA, Florida (AP) — A weakened but still dangerous Irma pushed inland Monday as it hammered Florida with winds and floodwaters that created hazards even for rescuers trying to help beleaguered residents. Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm over Florida, but it still had winds near hurricane f..
Orange County Water District Awarded Grant to Improve Water Quality
The Orange County Water District (OCWD), in a partnership with the University of Maryland and CosmosID, Inc., has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant that will aid the water industry in its continued effort to improve water quality. The $100k award will be used to apply metagenomics, ..
OFS Expands the AccuRibbon® DC Fiber Optic Cable Family
OFS announced it has expanded the AccuRibbon® DC Fiber Optic Cable product family to include fiber counts up to 864. These gel-free ribbon cables will be available in dielectric and metallic/armored versions. Currently, AccuRibbon DC cables are only offered in fiber counts up to 432. OF..
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Approves Sempra Energy-Oncor Merger Agreement
Sempra Energy today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the merger agreement that Energy Future Holdings Corp. (Energy Future) entered into with Sempra Energy on Aug. 21, 2017. This approval is an important step in Sempra Energy’s proposal to acquir..
Patent Awarded for “In-place” Coating to Protect Pipes Against Water Loss Due to Leaks
Pipe Restoration Technologies, LLC has been granted U.S. patent #9744561. This patent is related to the ePIPE system of in-place pipe restoration, which provides protection to underground pipes against leaks and harmful lead and copper leaching. “ePIPE is providing superior solutions in response to..
American Water Resources Collaborates with Dispatch to Improve the Customer Repair Experience
American Water Resources has entered into an agreement with Dispatch to help deliver faster service when customers need repairs on their water and sewer service lines, in-home plumbing, and other home services covered under American Water Resources protection plans. Dispatch is an enterprise custom..
Ditch Witch, Utilicor Join Forces to Simplify Utility Repairs
Ditch Witch®, a Charles Machine Works Company, has partnered with Utilicor Technologies, Inc. to bring the benefits of advanced keyhole technology and reinstatement to contractors, municipalities and utilities globally. Due to the partnership, utility contractors will now be able to operate a nimbl..
NASSCO: Purdue's CIPP Report Flawed
The National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) has released its response to the Purdue University study, Worksite Chemical Air Emissions and Worker Exposure during Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Pipe Rehabilitation Using Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP), published July 26, 2017 in the Environ..
Drones to Detect Power Outages in Illinois
URBANA, Ill. (AP) — An electrical and natural-gas service company in central Illinois is using a fleet of drones to detect power outages, inspect power lines and poles and plan for construction projects. The News-Gazette reports that Ameren Illinois officials demonstrated the drones Tuesday in Urba..
SoCalGas Streamlines Processes to Support Renewable Gas Projects
Southern California Gas Co. has announced new initiatives that will make it easier for renewable gas production facilities to connect to the company’s natural gas pipeline system. First is the creation of a downloadable toolkit to help renewable gas producers and developers who are interested in in..
Juneau Utility's New Owners Say Company Not for Sale
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The company buying Alaska Electric Light & Power Company’s parent corporation said in a letter it is not interested in selling Juneau’s electric utility any time soon. KTOO.org reports (http://bit.ly/2xs20Gw ) Hydro One CEO Mayo Schmidt wrote a letter to the City and Bor..
Kansas City Selects Electro Scan Technology to Assess Sewer Mains
The City of Kansas City, Missouri has selected Electro Scan’s Next Generation leak detection technology for condition assessment of 15-inch and smaller diameter sewer mains as part of a pilot project. The partnership with Electro Scan will include the assessment of 100 pipe segments with an approxim..
Sempra Energy Bids $9.45B for Oncor, Topping Buffett Offer
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Sempra Energy is buying Texas power transmitter Oncor for $9.45 billion in cash, wresting it away from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Sempra said Monday that it will also pick up $9.35 billion of the company’s debt. To gain possession of Oncor, Sempra will acquire the reorgan..
Buffett's Firm Maintains $9 Billion Bid for Oncor
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company is maintaining its $9 billion bid for Texas power transmitter Oncor despite competition from a private equity fund. Greg Abel, who leads Iowa-based Berkshire Hathaway Energy, said he doesn’t plan to increase the offer for Oncor, which serves about 10 mill..
Ohio Utilities Board Signs off on FirstEnergy Rate Hike
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio regulators have rejected appeals of an earlier decision that allows FirstEnergy Corp. to impose electricity rate increases for three years. The move will give FirstEnergy an additional $204 million each year. Homeowners using an average of 750 kilowatt-hours of electricit..
Arizona Regulators OK Utility Rate Hike
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona utility regulators elected with confirmed or suspected financial backing from the state’s largest electric utility on Tuesday approved a rate increase for the company and cuts to how much its new rooftop solar customers will be paid for excess power. The 4-1 vote by the Arizo..
Arizona Regulators to Ponder Rate Boost for APS
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona utility regulators are set to consider a rate increase for the state’s largest electric company that could go into effect as soon as next month. Tuesday’s planned meeting by the Arizona Corporation Commission comes months after Arizona Public Service reached a deal with..
Clearfield's Fiber Optic Technology Now Telcordia Certified
Clearfield, Inc. today announced that its fiber termination process used to manufacture Clearfield LC/UPC 900 μm 1.6 mm and 2.0 mm jumpers and fiber assemblies have been tested by an independent test lab compliant to the Telcordia, GR-326-Core requirements. With the Telcordia GR-326 achievement, the..
CEO: Westar-Great Plains Merger Plan to Be Filed This Month
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The CEO of Westar says the utility and Great Plains Energy will file their new merger plan with Kansas regulators later this month. CEO Mark Ruelle says meetings will be scheduled later this year for a shareholder vote on the proposal. Ruelle updated investors Wednesd..
After Weeklong Outage, North Carolina Islands Get Power Back
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Power was restored Thursday to two North Carolina islands after a weeklong outage that hit the local economy at the height of the lucrative summer vacation season. Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative announced that transmission lines were pumping electricity to all of Hatt..
Utility Plans to Restore Island Power by Weekend
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina officials say power will be restored to Hatteras Island on Friday, a week after it was hit by a massive outage and thousands of people were ordered to leave. Dare County officials announced that visitors will have unrestricted access to the island starting Friday..
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
- CGA’s 2023 DIRT report shows fewer utility damages, urges action on locating delays
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller
- Excavator Causes Puerto Rico Power Outage