Magazine
UCT: Former Orlando PWD Named 2023 MVP
(UC) — The Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry will be honored as part of the Underground Construction Awards (UCA) on Feb. 6, at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
RehabZone Embraces Modern, Exciting Technology
(UC) — The RehabZone has been a regular part of the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition since 2002, providing information about technologies and products for trenchless rehabilitation of underground utility infrastructure.
New Products
Latest industry developments
Rehab News: HammerHead Engineer Appointed to ISO Committee; New Fulfillment Center Opened
(UC) — David Kozman, senior applications engineer at HammerHead Trenchless, was appointed as a technical expert representing the United States in ISO Technical Committee 138 (TC138), Subcommittee 8 on Rehabilitation of Pipeline Systems.
Newsline: $40 Million Detroit Project to Increase Capacity in Local, Regional Sewer System
UC's November Newsline features information about a $40 million Detroit project to increase capacity in local, regional sewer systems, a jury decides $10.4 Million award for Portland gas explosion trauma, aging infrastructure that led to E. Coli in Baltimore water, and more of the latest industry developments.
Washington Watch: INGAA Opposes New Pipeline Safety Mandates
(UC) — Interstate gas pipelines will have nine months to comply with some of the significant new safety regulations from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The agency has been working on these rules for a decade ever since the San Bruno, Calif., gas explosion on a PG&E pipeline in 2010, which killed eight people.
Editor’s Log: Blame Game
(UC) — California Governor Gavin Newsom just can’t say enough dreadful things about the oil and gas industry. That mindset is apparently ingrained in his DNA and despite the facts, Newsom seems to live in his own mythical version of reality.
UCT 2023: RehabZone: A Trenchless Experience
(UC) — A UCT exclusive, RehabZone™ is the original, hands-on, interactive educational experience, in the exhibit hall, for the sewer and water industry. This self-paced, walk-through exhibit-within-the-exhibit provides a comprehensive look at modern rehabilitation methods in a no-sell environment.
Rehab News: Prime Resins PR 10L Acrylamide Succeeds as Water Barrier, Soil Stabilizer
(UC) — PR10L ACLM is a very-low-viscosity acrylamide grout that yields a gel upon reaction. As thin as water, the grout solution can infiltrate water for sealing leaks or to deeply penetrate soils for soil stabilization.
UCT 2023: Register Early and Save!
(UC) — Do you need affordable training? We’ve got you covered! With UCT’s low rates, everyone can attend without breaking the training budget. Register today at UCTonline.com and save.
New Methane Fee Could Hit Pipelines Hard
Numerous interstate pipeline companies have facilities which emit enough methane – in some cases much more than enough – in order to get hit by the new methane fee contained in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) President Biden signed in August.
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.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis