Environment
Congress approves measure to toss Biden’s water protections
Congress on Wednesday approved a resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s protections for the nation’s waterways that Republicans have criticized as a burden on business, advancing a measure that President Joe Biden has promised to veto.
Mountain Valley secures water permits for pipeline project in Virginia
(UI) — The 303-mile proposed pipeline is permitted to pass through the state's streams and wetlands thanks to a permit issued by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality, according to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Army Corps further delays decision on Great Lakes oil tunnel
The Army Corps' Detroit district office said it revised the schedule after receiving more than 17,000 public comments during an initial “scoping” period. The agency in December ordered Enbridge to redo measurement of wetlands that could be damaged from roads and structures for tunnel construction.
Construction entities call for punishment for pipeline attacks, improved mapping in pipeline safety
(UI) — The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) have published a letter urging Congress to take action to address the enduring problem of physical attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
Groups accuse Alabama of discrimination in wastewater funds
Environmental organizations filed a civil rights complaint against Alabama on Monday, accusing the state of discriminating against minority communities in how it distributes funding for wastewater infrastructure, including money for families who need help dealing with raw sewage in their yards.
Communities await first US limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to propose restrictions on harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water after finding they are dangerous in amounts so small as to be undetectable. But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.
Mayor: Water pressure should return to NJ city after break
Officials say water pressure should gradually return to a small New Jersey city across the Hudson River from Manhattan stricken by a water main break that left most residents with no water service or low water pressure.
Judge sets Aug. 1 as deadline for Flint’s lead pipe project
A judge has ordered Flint, Michigan, to replace any remaining lead or steel water lines by Aug. 1, the latest intervention after a series of missed deadlines. More than 10,000 pipes have been replaced, though at least 1,000 addresses still haven’t been inspected, according to the NRDC.
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
U.S. appeals court re-establishes Trump-era water rule, energy industry celebrates
The Trump-era rule reinterprets part of the Clean Water Act that allows states and Native American tribes authority to deny approvals for interstate pipelines and other projects that pollute waterways in their areas. The new rule keeps states from blocking such projects unless they can prove the projects will directly pollute their waterways.
Toxic wastewater from Ohio train crash to be transported to Texas
The wastewater is being sent to Texas Molecular, which injects hazardous waste into the ground for disposal.
Atlas Copco launches fully electric self-priming dewatering pump range solution
(UI) — The E-Pump range, which comprises the PAC High Head and High Flow models, offers an electric alternative to diesel-powered dewatering pumps. This allows customers to reduce their CO2 footprint and operate in emission-restrictive areas with no fuel consumption. This flexible solution is ideally suited for many applications like sewage bypass, dewatering in mining, and urban construction projects with access to a power source.
EPA won’t challenge largest federal utility on new gas plant
The gas plant decision by the Tennessee Valley Authority came Jan. 10, capping a months-long conflict between the TVA and the Environmental Protection Agency — two federal agencies that are both charged with a mission to protect the environment.
Regulators propose $125K settlement with coal company over water pollution
West Virginia regulators have proposed a $125,000 settlement of a penalty order with a Kentucky coal company for alleged water pollution violations, according to a published report.
Oil spill settlement for undisclosed amount reached with California businesses
A pipeline operator said that it has reached a settlement with Southern California tourism companies, fishermen and other businesses that sued after a crude oil spill off the coast last year near Huntington Beach.
Oilfield wastewater spill reported in northwest North Dakota
State regulators are investigating the spill of oilfield wastewater from a broken pipeline in northwestern North Dakota.
Former Pittsburgh water and sewer supervisor gets probation for river pollution
Between 2010 and 2017, two supervisors of the Aspinwall Drinking Water Plant discharged clarifier sludge into the river and directed employees to discharge sludge into the river.
Water crisis looms without big cuts to over-tapped Colorado River
The cuts would force hard decisions about who has to live with less. Water bills could rise as states tap other sources and adopt technology such as wastewater recycling to make up the difference.
Judge rules to keep Michigan-Enbridge pipeline dispute in federal court
A federal judge Thursday kept jurisdiction over a lawsuit seeking to close an oil pipeline crossing a section of the Great Lakes, rejecting Michigan's effort to shift the case to state court.
Ontario creek dredging to remediate 24 billion liters of leaked sewage
A valve on Hamilton, Ontario’s combined sewer overflow system was left ajar for four years, allowing 24 billion liters of sewage to spill, and some settled on the bottom of Chedoke Creek.
Oregon hikes Port of Morrow water pollution fine to $2.1 million
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations.
Partly treated sewage found running into Blackstone River
Environmental officials are urging residents to avoid a stretch of the Blackstone River after finding that sewage was leaking into the river from a wastewater treatment plant on Sunday.
Congress considering investigation of DC’s water supply
A Washington, D.C. based congresswoman introduced provisions to the Water Resources Development Act that would study whether D.C. needs to increase its water supply.
UN: Droughts increase nearly a third since 2000
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification said droughts are continuing to happen more frequently and last longer, accounting for a 29% increase in number and duration since 2000.
Finnish city plans to use heat from sewage to achieve net zero emissions
Turku, Finland, has cut its emissions by more than 50%, and is now looking to achieve net zero emissions by using industrial heat pumps to extract energy from waste flowing from the city's drains and sewers.
About 6 million Californians ordered to cut water use amid drought
Southern California’s gigantic water supplier has taken the unprecedented step of requiring about 6 million people to cut their outdoor watering to one day a week as a drought plagues the state following another dry winter.
New Jersey lakes getting $10 million to fight algae blooms, stormwater runoff
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection launched a $10 million lakes management grants program to mitigate stormwater and runoff pollution at public lakes, ensuring they can be used for recreation or properly conserved.
Biden restores rigorous environmental review of big infrastructure projects
The Biden administration is restoring federal regulations that require rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells — including likely impacts on climate change and nearby communities.
Nebraska advances $1M for study of troubled ethanol plant
A new bill in Nebraska could spend up to $1 million to study the long-term health and environmental consequences of a troubled ethanol plant that released polluted wastewater.
Water contaminations increase Native Hawaiians' distrust in military
After a Navy fuel tank contaminated the water supply for many Pearl Harbor residents, the incident triggered Native Hawaiians' increased distrust in the military.
- Winners of the Underground Construction Awards Honored at UCT
- Oregon halts construction on water pipeline project after 12 years and $38 million
- Much of Florida Keys loses water pressure after main break
- EPA launches initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement in Wisconsin
- Water utilities to be affected by EPA’s proposed PFAS regulations