Magazine
2022 Utility & Communications Construction Update
(UC) — Interpreting the direction of the economy in the middle of the volatility of the past three months is a confusing and uncertain exercise. However, after discussing the various scenarios with business owners, manufacturers and researching teams, my view is not whether the economy is in a recession but, rather, how long the downturn will last and what the impact might look like.
UCT 2023: Vital Intel to Grow Your Skills, Business
(UC) — Preparations for Underground Construction magazine’s 28th Annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) are kicking into high gear. UCT will be in Orlando, Fla. at the Orange County Convention Center, Feb. 7-9, 2023.
Artificial Intelligence Speeds Houston’s Sewer Inspections Under Sharp Eye of EPA
(UC) — Working with California-based Sewer AI, through engineering and consulting firm HR Green, Houston has made artificial intelligence a core piece of its inspection and repair workflow since 2021 – the same year a federal judge approved its agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its co-plaintiffs, including the state commission that administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
Editor’s Log: Is Anybody Out There?
(UC) — Where have all the workers gone? That’s a legitimate, important and critical question when it comes to the economic health of our country and, indeed, the world.
New Products
Ditch Witch MT164 Helps Boost Productivity, Reduce Costs Built to help power and fiber-optic contractors easily create a clean, narrow trench in one pass, the new Ditch Witch MT164 microtrencher attachment offers maximum compact cable installation performa..
Trenchless Technology Center Report: TTC Research Initiatives Booming
(UC) — The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University is in the midst of the most active research year of its existence and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB), again, hit an all-time high in 2022. The TTC has recovered from the lull of the global pandemic in all aspects except in-person training, which is expected to bounce back this fall.
Newsline
Vermeer Chair Emeritus, Former CEO Bob Vermeer Dies at 78, Houston-Area Flood Officials Consider $30 Billion Tunnel Project, Primoris Services Corporation Acquires PLH Group for $470 Million, California Submits Proposal for 45-Mile Water Tunnel and more.
FERC Rate Change Posting Proposal Controversial
Responding to a June 2021 petition from interstate pipeline customers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed upgraded website posting requirements when pipelines file for a Section 4 rate change.
Newest EPA Methane Proposal Hits Pipelines Hard
(UC) — The United States Senate bill on climate change, which includes a fee on pipeline emissions of methane, puts a new emphasis on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) two rulemakings on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Editor’s Log: Trendsetters or Irresponsible Dreamers?
(UC) — Leave it to the state of California. Always the trendsetters, for better or for worse. It used to be clothes, hair styles and fashion choices that started first in California then spread throughout the land. Hollywood counter-culture movies became stalwarts of the cinema as well.
NASSCO Tech Tips
Styrene emissions from the CIPP process are a concern when they exceed regulatory levels. NASSCO contracted with the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University (TTC) to delineate styrene levels at various parts of the CIPP process.
New Products
Latest industry developments
FERC Considering Pipeline Sales of ‘Responsibly Sourced Natural Gas’
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) appears likely to approve the first application from a pipeline company to sell “responsibly sourced natural gas” (RSG) at a premium price. Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP), a major delivery pipeline on the east coast has in essence been trying to work out an acceptable tariff with FERC for sales of RSG.
EPA, USACE Double-Team Pipeline Construction
The Biden Administration is at it again with its latest regulatory effort to stymie pipeline development. A few months ago, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) suggested new restrictions on general pipeline repair permit NWP 12, which includes minimal dredge and fill near “waters of the U.S. (WOTUS).”
The Road to Safety Starts with Stability
Safety is the highest priority on any construction job site, but not every equipment solution aids in attaining that safety goal. In fact, in 2020, more than 174,100 injuries and 124 deaths occurred on construction job sites throughout the United States.
Equipment Spotlight: Compact Excavators (under 25,000 pounds)
Bobcat, CASE, Caterpillar, Doosan Infracore North America, Hitachi, Hyundai and more.
UCT 23: New Features, Old Favorites, Fresh Opportunities
(UC) — For the first time in its 28-year history, the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) will be held in Orlando, Fla., from Feb. 7-9, 2023. In fact, this is only the second time UCT has been in Florida, where the 2010 event was held in Tampa.
Construction Theme Park Opens in Texas
The 3.5-acre park is located at Katy Mills Mall (west of Houston) with its main entrance facing Interstate 10. Dig World in Katy, Texas, was recently unveiled and is now open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Editor’s Log: Launch of the Big Event
(UC) — There’s a good chance by now that most of our readers have seen announcements for the evolution of the next big event for underground industry awards – a very special occasion that will reward accomplishments and people of the underground infrastructure industry in a unique, personal and deserving fashion.
New Products
Latest industry developments
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
Spotlight: Manhole and Pipe Coatings
Moving PACP Data Between Systems
After many successful Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) inspection projects end, there is a large amount of collected data that some PACP-certified professionals, engineers and utility workers do not understand.
Spotlight—Linings
Applied Felts (276) 656-1904; appliedfelts.com Using only the highest quality raw materials available, Applied Felts’ decades proven, PU-coated, all-felt AquaCure® liners, with stitched or flame-bonded seams, are built to ..
Pressure Pipe Cleaning and Preparation for Rehabilitation
Pressure pipes, like gravity pipelines, need to be cleaned and prepared for rehabilitation. This NASSCO Tech Tip will discuss pressure pipe cleaning methods and requirements before a pipe rehabilitation is completed.
Annual UCT ShowStopper Awards Feature Innovative Exhibits
Exhibitors at trade shows compete with hundreds of other exhibitors to capture attendees’ interest in their booths and the specific products and services being promoted.
RehabZone
As always, the 2022 edition of RehabZone was a vital part of 2022 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) held this past January in in Ft. Worth, Texas,
UCT 2022 Hosts Flood of Re-Engaging Attendees
After battling through more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the underground infrastructure industry took another significant step towards normality in January as a strong crowd of interested attendees packed educational sessions and the exhibit hall at the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition.
Industry study takes hard look at 811 process, facility locating
At a time when excavation construction is at an all-time high, and much more is on the horizon after landmark infrastructure legislation enacted in 2021, protecting underground infrastructure during excavation activity is more important than ever.
Modern mud systems bring large benefits to big HDD jobs
In today’s environment of strict environmental regulations, rising costs and intense competition for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) jobs, mud reclaimer systems have become an indispensable companion to large-diameter HDD rigs.
- 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