Finance
Utility & communications construction: Investment trends and sector growth update
Strong investment by investor-owned utilities, the federal government, states and municipalities have led to quality project opportunities that brought significant growth to the contractors serving those markets.
OSHA hits Georgia-based company with $300,000 fine after fatal trench collapse
A Georgia-based company faces a hefty fine exceeding $300,000 from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to alleged safety breaches stemming from a trench collapse incident that resulted in the death of a worker in Macon.
North Carolina to invest $238 million in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater projects
North Carolina is set to allocate $238 million towards water infrastructure projects. The funding will support 114 projects aimed at improving drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
State audit finds thousands of dollars missing or misspent by Dunklin County Sewer District
(UI) — A state audit led to a state police investigation into the Dunklin County Sewer District, according to the office of the Missouri State Auditor.
Texas to vote on $1 billion water infrastructure proposal
(UI) — Texas voters will have a chance to weigh in on securing safe, clean, and accessible drinking water for communities statewide. Proposition 6 would amend the state constitution to create the Texas Water Fund and provide $1 billion dollars to address aging water infrastructure and gaps in access to clean drinking water.
Former fiscal officer repays mishandled sewer fees in Ohio's Gallia County
(UI) — A former fiscal officer has reimbursed $7,047 in sewer receipts collected from customers but not deposited into the Village of Centerville's accounts in Gallia County, as announced by Auditor of State Keith Faber.
Pittsfield, Mass., officials approve $206 million budget plan, including 12% water, 25% sewer rate hike
(UI) — By a 7-4 vote, the council approved raising water and sewer rates to cover the increasing cost of materials and rebuild savings within city enterprise funds. The plan set aside $18 million for the city's water, wastewater, and sewage budgets.
EPA releases 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment
(UI) — The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that the EPA conduct a survey and assessment every four years to examine the needs for infrastructure improvements and maintenance at public water systems. The 7th DWINSA estimates that $625 billion will be needed for infrastructure improvements over the next 20 years — a 32% increase from the $472.6 billion projected in 2022.
Biden approves federal disaster relief for utilities in Vermont communities affected by winter storm
On Tuesday Gov. Phil Scott and the three members of the state’s congressional delegation said a preliminary damage assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency identified nearly $3 million in eligible costs from public and non-profit utilities in communities recovering from the storm.
New Jersey American Water Announces Water Infrastructure Investment Program
New Jersey American Water is partnering with state authorities to develop a state-wide water and wastewater infrastructure investment program.
USDA Invests $281 Million in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing more than $280 million to help rural communities improve their water and wastewater infrastructure.
Aqua Pennsylvania Acquires Delaware County Wastewater Assets
The municipal water authority for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has agreed to sell its wastewater assets to a subsidiary of Aqua America for $276.5 million.
Quanta Acquires Hallen Construction, 2 Specialty Contractors
Quanta Services said it has completed the acquisition of Plainview, N.Y.-based Hallen Construction, a large gas utility contractor serving key markets in the U.S. Northeast, along with two Southeast specialty contractors for $330 million in cash and stock.
Montana Governor OKs $400 Million in Infrastructure Spending
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed a series of bills that allow for spending nearly $400 million on buildings, bridges and water systems across the state — an effort aimed at creating jobs, boosting the state's economy and clearing up a backlog of needed work.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure