Environment
WaterWorks News: Water shortages, EPA proposes drinking water rule, RAMSCO buys Jones Water Supply
<a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply#short">U.S. counties face water shortages due to climate change</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=3#epa"> EPA proposes updating drinking water rule to better protect public health </a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=4#ramsco">Waterworks firm RAMSCO buys Binghamton rival</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=4#crisis">Using gravity to help solve the global water crisis</a>
Approvals For TransCanada Tar Sand Pipeline Gets Sticky; Plus PMHSA Low-Stress Tug-Of-War And FERC Posting Edict
Despite criticism of his company's proposed, nearly 2000-mile pipeline, Robert Jones, vice president, Keystone Pipelines, TransCanada Corporation, says he is very confident that the U.S. State Department will approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
EPA develops software to secure nation's water supply
Scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have collaborated in developing innovative water quality software that enhances a water system's ability to detect when there has been intentional or unintentional contamination. The Canary software can help detect a wide variety of chemical and biological contaminants, including pesticides, metals and pathogens. Once contamination is detected, a water utility can issue a "Do Not Drink" order to prevent customers from ingesting the water.
Wind energy primed for new growth
According to a report released in August by the U.S. Department of Energy and prepared by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, despite grim predictions at the close of 2008, the U.S. wind power industry experienced another record year in 2009. At the same time, the report’s primary authors and scientist, Ryan Wiser and Mark Bolinger say the combination of the financial crisis and lower wholesale electricity prices has taken a toll on the wind power industry, dampening expectations for 2010.
Fracing Disclosure Main Concern In Senate Energy Bill; Incentives For NG Vehicles Included
The energy bill the Senate is to finally take up in September is primarily a "BP-response" bill. It contains none of the greenhouse gas emission reductions that Democrats had hoped to bring to a vote in a "Climate Change" bill, which is dead for this year. The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 focuses mostly on oil spill liability and response issues.
EPA Issues Clean Watershed Needs Report To Congress
The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) 2008 Report to Congress summarizes the results of EPA's 15th national survey of capital costs to address water quality or water quality related public health problems. The U.S. EPA’s Off ice of Wastewater Management conducts the survey every four years, as required by the lean Water Act.
Vacuum excavators used to help clean Gulf of Mexico oil spill
Teams cleaning up after the oil spill in the Gulf have deployed a new tool to help with their efforts--McLaughlin vacuum excavators. Vacuum excavators are being deployed on barges into the Gulf and used to remove oil from the miles of skimmers located along the Gulf Coast.
New OSHA Administrator Talks Tough; BP Accident Imperils Offshore Gas Expansion
David Michaels, the new administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is turning up the heat on industry, and critics of the agency under George W. Bush are pointing the Obama administrator toward the pipeline and underground construction industries.
Model Geothermal Installation Supports Habitat For Humanity Development
Hope Crossing, a suburban housing development in northeast Oklahoma City, may not look much different than other housing additions of attractive, moderately-priced homes, but it is unique. Hope Crossing is the largest “green” Habitat for Humanity housing development in the United States.
New EPA Regulations Will Require Machine Reconfiguring, Add Cost
In less than six months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Interim Tier 4 emission standards will go into effect for many types of off-road diesel powered equipment used in underground construction, and equipment owners and operators are devoting increasing attention to the changes they will bring.
New Holland Tier 4 Solutions
New Holland announced its solution to meet the Tier 4 interim emissions standards, which will be effective in 2011.
New Jobs Bill Has Infrastructure Funding Provision; pipeline safety issues crop up; GHG reporting
It looks like Congress will give cities and counties some new flexibility in funding drinking water and sewer projects. The Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 (H.R. 4849) that passed in the House, 246 - 178 on March 24, has a provision which allows states to issue private activity bonds for water projects without counting the value of those bonds toward state caps.
New Congressional Inquiries On Hydraulic Fracturing
Congressional concern about "fracing" took another step forward when the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to eight companies asking for details on the chemicals they use during horizontal drilling of shale gas deposits. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the committee, implied in a memorandum to committee members that the "Big Three" of fracing may have violated a voluntary memorandum of agreement they signed with the EPA in 2005.
Underground Market Faces Tier 4 Equipment Adjustments In 2011
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interim Tier 4 emission standards for off-road equipment powered by diesel engines of 175 to less than 750 horsepower will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. From that date through Tier 4’s final implementation in 2014, the equipment marketplace will begin to change for equipment manufacturers and dealers and their customers.
EVA Construction Rules In Effect; More Sewer/Water Stimulus Funds Coming?
The biggest issue for the underground construction industry in 2010 is not whether Congress and the Obama administration will unveil a second round of infrastructure spending, but whether that second helping of funds for sewers and drinking water systems will find its way into financial bloodstreams faster than the first injection did.
February Newsline: EPA, MSD water talks continue; White House Jobs Summit pushes water division project and more
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=2#epa">EPA, MSD continue talks over water violations</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=2#white">White House Jobs Summit inspires new push for water diversion project</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=3#storm">EPA releases guidance to better manage stormwater</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=4#qwest">Qwest, Level 3 telecoms spends less</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=5#report">Report says wireless,telecom in transition</a> and more
January WaterWorks News: California supply, Pennsylvania American acquisitions, Australian water outlook and more
<strong>Work begins on California water supply pipeline </strong> California American Water has begun work on a pipeline in Del Rey Oaks that will help to address water supply issues on the Monterey Peninsula.
WSSC, U.S. EPA Celebrate Start of D.C. Area Sewer Rehab Project
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) kicked off a landmark rehabilitation project Jan. 7, marking the first time WSSC has been awarded federal funding for a reconstruction project through the Maryland Department of the Environment.
January Newsline: EPA Cracks Down on Violations; Cat Invests in India; Stimulus Projects At Work
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work#EPA">EPA cites 14 municipalities for stormwater violations</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work#wind">Wind farm brings power to California</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work?page=2#tarlton">Tarlton completes historic engineering feat</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work?page=3#cat">Caterpillar to invest in India</a>
EPA Stimulus Sewer/Water Infrastructure Funds Flow Slowly
Members of Congress are raising concerns about the prospective failure of cities and counties to spend appropriated stimulus funds for wastewater and drinking water projects, a concern top Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials say is justified.
Natural Gas Price & Supply Concerns Bedevil Climate Change Bill
A Senate climate change bill passed in early November by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will probably be pushed aside by a version more acceptable to Republicans and moderate Democrats.
December Newsline: Climate change costs, U.S. export performance and more
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#report">Report estimates climate change adaptation costs, impacts to utilities</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more#birm">Birmingham mayor found guilty</a>
EPA GHG Emission Requirements Could Affect Interstate Pipelines
Pipelines dodged one Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas (GHG) bullet temporarily but may get hit by another.
Construction of Gas Pipeline Relied Heavily on HDD to Minimize Environmental Impacts
The recently completed Line 108 Replacement Project featured the use of HDD for portions of the pipeline installation beneath two rivers and two extremely sensitive natural areas.
New York Times notes sewer overflow issues
In the underground construction industry, the fact that American sewers are overtaxed and given to overflows that endanger public health is no secret. But raising public awareness is a problem, and we're happy to see items in the general interest press like Sunday's New York Times article focusing on the issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/us/23sewer.html?_r=2&hp (free registration many be required).
Geothermal Growth Offers New Options For Underground Contractors
A good case can be made that using the earth's natural energy storing capabilities is the most cost efficient and environmentally friendly way to heat and cool homes, businesses and institutional buildings.
Thompson Pump Unveils Eco-Friendly Dry-Prime Pump
Thompson Pump’s new heavy duty 4-inch eco-friendly dry-priming electric driven pump, model 4JSVC, was unveiled at the 2009 WEFTEC tradeshow in October.
JEA Takes Lead In Proactive Sewer, Water Maintenance
Most major American cities today face multiple challenges to provide basic water and sanitary services.
EPA Takes New Steps To Improve Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made available comprehensive reports and data on water enforcement in all 50 states.
Alternative Fuel Choices Limited For Construction Equipment
Alternative fuels, including petroleum based diesel and gasoline with additives, are perceived by many to be a key element in reducing world dependency on oil.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action