Magazine
Excavation-Related Damages to Utilities Cost the U.S. Approximately $30 Billion in 2019
A Common Ground Alliance study on 2019 damage reporting found that an estimated 532,000 excavation-related damages to underground facilities occurred in the United States in 2019.
Justifying Evils of EVs
Electric vehicles present an intriguing transportation future. But it all has to be balanced with practicality, reality of purpose and cultural empathy, and it can’t be rushed until a lot of issues resolved.
AWWA Releases Second Edition of Polyethylene Pipe Manual
The American Water Works Association has released the newest edition of M55, PE Pipe – Design and Installation manual.
API Fact-Checks Presidential Debate Energy Positions
Responding with a fact-check of the presidential debate, API called for bipartisan solutions that do not force a false choice between protecting the environment and growing the U.S. economy.
Biden Calls for ‘Transition’ from Oil
Democrat Joe Biden’s remark that he would “transition” away from oil in the U.S. in favor of renewable energy drew quick attention Thursday night from President Donald Trump, who saw it as a boon to his election chances in key states.
Explosion at Thai PTT Gas Line Kills Three, Injures 28
A gas pipeline exploded in Thailand on Thursday killing three people and injuring 28.
Kleinfelder Completes Acquisition of Gas Transmission Systems
San Diego-based Kleinfelder Group said it has acquired utilities and pipeline services firm Gas Transmission Systems (GTS) for an undisclosed sum.
USDA Awards Alaska Utility $22 Million for Fiber Installation
Alaska Power & Telephone Company has been awarded $21.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install more than 200 miles of fiber optic cable in rural Alaska.
Caterpillar D9 Dozer Lowers Owning, Operating Costs
Available in the fourth quarter of this year, the Cat D9 dozer replaces the D9T model and offers customizable configurations to meet application needs around the world.
EPA Eliminates Methane Emission Restrictions for Pipelines
The new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule, freeing interstate pipelines from Obama-era rules that set volatile organic chemical (VOC) and methane emission restrictions, is headed for a federal court date.
Army Corps Proposes New Pipeline Permit
The Army Corps of Engineers is moving to make changes in its Nationwide Permit 12, which allows pipelines whose construction poses minimal impact on wetlands to enter a simple, quick regulatory permit approval process.
CGA Report Reveals Utility Damages Cost U.S. $30 Billion in 2019
The 2019 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report compiled by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) revealed that excavation-related damages to utilities cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion last year.
Bright Spots and the MVP is …
These are treacherous times indeed for the underground infrastructure markets.
Oregon City Completes In-Pipe Hydropower Project
The City of Hillsboro, Ore., has completed a project that generates electricity by harvesting excess pressure from a city water pipeline.
$56M Settlement Approved in Massachusetts Gas Explosions
A $56 million settlement has been approved in the case regarding a series of natural gas explosions and fires in Massachusetts in 2018.
T.D. Williamson Crews Isolate Burning NGL Pipeline for Repair
Crews at T.D. Williamson isolated a ruptured 14-inch NGL pipeline, while gas continued to flare off, enabling them to repair the system while it remained in service.
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Announces Acquisition of Murphy Pipeline Contractors
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation announced it has completed the acquisition of Murphy Pipeline Contractors.
Vermeer Introduces New Reclaimer for Large-Diameter Pipe HDD Projects
Vermeer has launched a new reclaimer designed for HDD projects with large-diameter pipes.
UCT Moves to Late Spring
The Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) has been moved from late January 2021 to May 18-20 at Music City Center in Nashville.
Traverse City Utility Builds out New Fiber Network
A utility in Traverse City, Michigan is building out a new fiber broadband network across the city which includes installation of nearly 15 miles of underground cable.
New Fusion Guides for Gas Piping Available from PPI
The Plastics Pipe Institute has developed two technical new reports on the fusion of polyethylene and PA12 pipe.
Michigan Governor Announces $500 Million Water Infrastructure Plan
The governor of Michigan has announced a $500 million dollar plan to upgrade the state's water and wastewater infrastructure.
Study Predicts $52 Billion in Water Utility Trenchless Technology Investments over Next Decade
A new study by Bluefield Research expects the economic recession combined with aging water infrastructure across the country will spur over $50 billion in trenchless technology investments.
Northwest Pipe Company to Provide Pipe North Carolina Water Transmission Line
Northwest Pipe Company has been selected to provide the pipe for a steel water pipeline system as part of a water infrastructure upgrade project in North Carolina.
Illinois Regulators Approve Report on Condition of Chicago Gas Distribution Network
Regulators in Illinois have agreed with the conclusion of a report that found a natural gas distribution network replacement program in Chicago from Peoples Gas will increase public and customer safety.
West Virginia Drinking Water Projects Receive Federal Funding
West Virginia is receiving over $11 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water projects.
Oklahoma Gas Pipeline Explodes Near Oklahoma City
A natural gas pipeline exploded near Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.
Nearly $14 Billion Ready to Invest in Post-COVID Economic Recovery — Report
A new report from the Consumer Energy Alliance details nearly $14 billion worth of economic activity is being threatened by delays, obstructions and cancellations of pipeline infrastructure projects.
Analysis: Laura Reminds of Louisiana’s Fragile Water Systems
The high water and flooding in Louisiana from Hurricane Laura last month brought into sharp relief the fragility of the state's water systems, three years after the state's drinking water infrastructure received nearly a failing grade.
PHMSA ratifies industry request on MAOP
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in mid-July granting transmission pipelines the changes they requested after publication of a big final rule last October titled, “Safety of Gas Transmission Pipelines: MAOP Reconfirmation, Expansion of Assessment Requirements, and Other Related Amendments.”
- 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