Legal
U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Appalachian Trail Dispute
The Supreme Court on Monday paved the way for a critical permit for the Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail, siding with energy companies and the Trump administration.
Supreme Court Rejects Narrow View of CWA in Maui Wastewater Case
The Supreme Court ruled that a Maui treatment plant's discharge of polluted water into the ground, rather than directly into nearby waterways, does not relieve it of complying with the Clean Water Act.
Water Company Pleads Guilty to Hazardous Waste Violations
A California company that produces Crystal Geyser bottled water pleaded guilty to illegally storing and transporting hazardous waste and agreed to a $5 million fine, federal prosecutors said.
Stricter EPA Lead Rule Could Boost Water Pipe Replacement Demand
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed updates to its lead rule for drinking water that could add demand for pipeline replacement projects throughout the United States.
Weldbend, Boltex Win False-Claims Lawsuit Against Ulma Forja
A jury returned a verdict in favor of Weldbend and Boltex on all counts in a lawsuit by the American carbon steel flange manufacturers against a Spanish company, Ulma Forja – part of the Mondragon Corp. – and its U.S. subsidiary, Ulma Piping.
Trump Administration Drops Obama-Era Water Protection Rule
The Trump administration on Thursday revoked an Obama-era regulation that shielded many U.S. wetlands and streams from pollution but was opposed by developers and farmers who said it hurt economic development and infringed on property rights.
Judge Blocks Obama-Era Water Initiative Pending Revision
A federal judge in Georgia has blocked enactment of the 2015 Waters of the United States rule in Georgia and nine other states that filed suit against the measure while it's under review by the Trump administration.
Georgia-Based Colonial Sues Contractor over Alabama Spill
Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline Co. has sued an Alabama contractor over a spill that threatened gasoline supplies along the East Coast three years ago.
EPA Expected to Limit State Authority over Pipeline Approval Process
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was scheduled to release a proposed rule in August limiting the ability of states to delay or even prevent the building of pipelines, by delaying approval of water quality certifications required under the Clean Water Act.
Markwest Agrees to Payment for Pipeline Installation Issue
A subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum's MPLX midstream partnership agreed with West Virginia regulators to pay $124,030 for environmental violations related to a pipeline installation.
Lawsuit Filed Against Firms in Michigan Sewer Line Collapse
A lawsuit has been filed against three companies in connection with a sewer line collapse north of Detroit that cost $75 million to repair.
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Permit Vacated
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal appellate court vacated a key permit granted to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, saying Tuesday that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided no specific limits for the allowable impact on threatened and endangered species. The order’s immediate impact was in dispute. ..
Contractors Sued After Raw Sewage Floods Maine Home
FARMINGTON, Maine (AP) – A Maine man is suing his town and two contractors after he was forced to leave his home when it became flooded with raw sewage. The Kennebec Journal reports Joseph Pinkham is seeking more than $500,000 in damages in his lawsuit filed last month against Farmington, Bruce A. ..
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Constitution Pipeline over New York Permit
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday dealt another setback to a proposed natural gas pipeline running from Pennsylvania to New York, rejecting Constitution Pipeline Co’s bid to challenge New York state’s refusal to issue a needed water permit for the project. The high court left ..
Group to Sue New Jersey Town over Lead in Water
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — An environmental group has filed a notice of its intent to sue the city of Newark over what it says are elevated levels of lead in the city’s drinking water. The Natural Resources Defense Council has 60 days to file a lawsuit. In its notice filed this week, the group cited a fe..
Eyeglass Lens Maker Fined $750K for Illegal Sewer Discharges
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has fined an eyeglass lens manufacturer $750,000 for repeatedly discharging hazardous waste into Clackamas County’s sewer system in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon fined Carl ..
Workers Admit Taking Bribes to Lower Water, Sewer Bills
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Two municipal water department workers have admitted taking bribes in return for reducing the water and sewer bills of numerous customers. Joseph DeBonis and William Ortiz both pleaded guilty Friday to official misconduct. Both had been suspended from their jobs with the ..
Former Water Superintendent Charged with Taking $300K
ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former water department superintendent in Tennessee has been charged with using the position to steal more than $300,000 from the department. A Hawkins County grand jury this week indicted 49-year-old Shawn Hatchett, who is the former superintendent of the Rogersvi..
Court Denies Hawaiian County's Plea to Reverse Wastewater Ruling
WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) — An appeals court denied Maui County’s request for a full-panel review of its Feb. 1 decision that the county pumped treated wastewater into injection wells at its Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility for more than three decades, thereby violating the Clean Water Act. “We’r..
Judge Lifts Restraining Order Against Pipeline Protesters
UNION, W.Va. (AP) — A judge has lifted the restraining order against natural gas pipeline protesters sitting in trees in West Virginia. News outlets report Judge Robert Irons denied the injunction, reversing course less than two weeks after granting Mountain Valley Pipeline a 10-day restraining ord..
API NY: Valley Lateral Pipeline Critical To New York’s Consumers, Workers
The New York branch of the American Petroleum Institute (API New York) today issued a statement applauding the federal district court decision to reject attempts by New York state regulators to block Millennium Pipeline’s Valley Lateral Project – a natural gas pipeline project in Orange County that ..
New York Loses Appeal to Block Millennium Natgas Pipeline
(Reuters) – A federal appeals court on Monday denied New York State’s petition to review orders from federal energy regulators that authorized Millennium Pipeline Co to build a natural gas line to a power plant in Orange County, New York. “We certainly disagree with the decision, and are reviewing ..
Mountain Valley Pipeline Construction Could Soon Start on Private Land in Virginia
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — Work on a natural gas pipeline in southwestern Virginia could soon begin on private land despite property owners’ objections. The Roanoke Times reports that a federal judge on Friday granted Mountain Valley Pipeline access to the areas. The company gained access through the laws..
Water Districts Challenge Judge in Navajo Settlement
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Water districts in northern New Mexico sought to disqualify a state judge Tuesday and overturn a major settlement with the Navajo Nation in a simmering dispute about rights to water from the San Juan River. A motion filed with the New Mexico state Court of Appeals seeks to dis..
Plumber Gets Probation in Trench Collapse that Killed Worker
PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pennsylvania plumber who pleaded guilty to violating federal workplace regulations before a trench collapse that killed a man has been placed on probation for two years. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that 67-year-old Wayne George, of Hookstown, apologized in court Wednesda..
3M, Minnesota Settle Lawsuit, Establish Environmental Partnership
3M and the State of Minnesota today announced they have reached a resolution concerning the state’s lawsuit against the company related to certain PFCs present in the environment. Under the terms of the settlement, 3M and the state will partner to invest in the environment and community. 3M will pr..
$5 Billion Case over 3M Chemicals Halted in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge halted jury selection Tuesday in the trial of Minnesota’s $5 billion lawsuit against manufacturer 3M Co., and both sides planned an afternoon announcement signaling a possible settlement. The lawsuit, filed in 2010, focuses on the company’s disposal of chemicals once used..
Judge Stops Village from Cutting Water to Mobile Home Park
MALVERN, Ohio (AP) — A judge has issued a temporary restraining order to stop an Ohio village from cutting off water to residents of a mobile home park. The Canton Repository reports the village of Malvern was about to stop water service at Sandy Creek Estates Mobile Home Park because those respons..
Judge Refuses to Delay Hearing on Pipeline Land Acquisition
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has refused to postpone a hearing in a lawsuit brought by developers seeking possession of land in several Virginia counties for a controversial pipeline project. Atlantic Coast Pipeline is seeking possession of several properties in Augusta, Bath, Buckingha..
West Virginia Jury Sides with Contractor in Sewer Dispute
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia jury has ruled that the Charleston Sanitary Board must pay an Upshur County contractor more than $1 million for breaching its contract with the firm. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the jury recently awarded J.F. Allen Corporation $1.3 million in damages..
- Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
- Fatal Shawnee trench collapse linked to Oklahoma contractor’s repeated safety violations, OSHA reports
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- DeLa Express moves forward with 690-mile Permian-to-Louisiana pipeline
- OSHA cites contractor for fatal trench collapse in New Canaan, Conn.
- CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Construction worker dies after being found unconscious in trench box
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Florence, S.C., to fund $537 million sewer, water upgrade with bonds and 5% rate hike