Magazine
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.
Utility & communications construction update
The pandemic exposed the frailty that exists in current supply chains and the war in Ukraine has placed those concerns into overdrive.
New FERC pipeline policies worrisome
By Stephen Barlas, Washington, D.C. Editor Potential impact of Europe’s new need for U.S. liquid natural gas (LNG) is now reverberating inside and outside the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), as it attempts to implement two new policy statements..
Newsline
U.S. Interior Earmarks $1.7 Billion Tribal Water Settlements U.S. Department of Interior announced that it will use $1.7 billion from the recently enacted federal infrastructure bill to fund 16 tribal water rights settlements. The funds are to pay for infrastructure that provides access to water t..
Good math, bad math
By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-chief First the good math The over two-year COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc through the lives of virtually everyone in the world. That also held true for the business world and certainly the underground infrastructure indust..
Rehab Technology: 5 Questions to Help Municipalities Choose the Right Utility Inspection Equipment
By Patrick Iyonsi, utility inspection product manager, Subsite Out of sight, out of mind. This is the general population’s stance towards the 2 million miles of underground pipe in the United States and even more around the world. And rightfully so. As a service provided and supported by municipa..
Convention Preview: NASSCO Thrives in Virtual World; ‘Live’ Annual Convention in Scottsdale
By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor In spite of the COVID-19 epidemic, NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) stayed true to its mission of setting standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, and assuring the continued acceptance and grow..
HDD: Mud Systems
American Augers americanaugers.com, (800) 324-4930 The new M300DH fluid cleaning system helps contractors working in tight job sites stay agile and efficient. Its high-cleaning power circulates drilling fluids with 100,000-to-240,000 pounds of pullback and a 480-volt generator enables agitatio..
Directional Drilling: Muddy Waters: 3 Ways Fluid Cleaning Systems Can Improve Job-Site Success
By Richard Levings, American Augers Project Manager & Ben Clark, Derrick Corp. Civil Global Manager As demand for underground construction projects continues to increase, getting the most from your equipment is vital to job-site success. For HDD operators, drilling fluid plays a crucial role in eff..
Convention Preview: APCA Plans Scottsdale Convention to Tackle Important Business
Working in a rapidly evolving industry and facing serious challenges from a variety of sources, American Pipeline Contractors Association members are traveling to sunny Scottsdale, Ariz., March 25–30, for the 2022 APCA Convention. The meeting features an outstanding slate of speakers, important educ..
First Look: Tesmec Offers All-Inclusive Truck Approach to Conventional Fiber Microtrenching
By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor A variety of construction methods can be used to install fiber optic cable to expand broadband networks. While horizontal direction drilling (HDD) receives most of the trade press coverage abo..
New Products
WrapidSeal Controls Infiltration, Prevents Deterioration, Provides Structural Integrity of Manholes Manholes deteriorate, as a result of soil stresses, groundwater, exposure to sewer gas, structural movement from traffic loading, and soil movement from wet/dry or freeze/thaw cycling. Over time, th..
Business People
Freese and Nichols Alan Hutson, P.E., vice president/principal of professional consulting firm Freese and Nichols, has a new role as division manager-Central Plains, at the Oklahoma City office. He will lead the continued diversification of services for state and local clients in Oklahoma and the ..
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut