Regulatory
GOP lawmakers criticize New York for halting $500 million pipeline project
In a Dec. 5 letter addressed to Governor Hochul, Republican lawmakers from New York and Pennsylvania expressed strong criticism of New York State's decision to block the Northern Access Pipeline, a $500 million natural gas infrastructure project.
OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
OSHA has cited two Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Inspectors found workers exposed to cave-in hazards without proper protections, prompting citations for willful and serious violations.
Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
The Biden-Harris administration has announced an $849 million investment to upgrade aging water delivery systems across the western United States, aiming to bolster drought resilience and improve water infrastructure.
OSHA extends comment period for proposed heat rule
OSHA has extended the public comment period for its proposed heat injury prevention rule to Jan. 14, 2025, allowing stakeholders more time to provide feedback.
Iowa American Water making progress on EPA mandate, with nearly 1,300 lead service lines replaced so far
Iowa American Water has successfully replaced almost 1,300 customer-owned lead and galvanized steel water service lines to date as part of its ongoing lead service line replacement program, the company announced.
FERC approves Texas-Louisiana expansion project by Natural Gas Pipeline Company
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the Texas-Louisiana Expansion Project, filed by Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, according to a FERC filing on Nov. 21.
Permitting reforms seen as crucial to Northeast, nation’s energy woes
The state of Massachusetts earlier in 2024 joined its fellow New England states, along with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for coordinating their activities to improve interregional transmission planning and development.
Editor's Log: The anticipated return of pipelines
The underground infrastructure sector anticipates significant changes with Trump’s return, especially for pipeline construction, as easing regulations and renewed support signal a potential boom. Underground Infrastructure will spotlight these shifts at its upcoming conference.
EPA launches initiative to combat PFAS in drinking water systems in disadvantaged communities
The initiative, part of the EPA's Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) program, will provide no-cost technical assistance to help public drinking-water systems in 200 communities over the next three years.
Construction set to start on $627 million Toledo Bay View wastewater facility in 2025
(UI) — Construction on the Bay View Wastewater Treatment Plant in Toledo is set to begin in Spring 2025 following the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's completion of a Limited Environmental Review.
Enbridge Line 5 reroute clears hurdle with Wisconsin DNR permit approval
Enbridge's proposed relocation involves replacing a 41-mile segment of its 645-mile Line 5 pipeline with a new 30-inch diameter pipe running through Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron counties.
New York’s Erie County Water Authority sues PVC pipe makers for alleged price-fixing
New York's Erie County Water Authority has filed an antitrust lawsuit against major U.S. PVC pipe manufacturers, alleging they conspired to fix prices, artificially raising costs for PVC pipes used in public water systems and wastewater treatment nationwide.
South Carolina construction firm enters penalty phase over delayed sewer project completion
A $12 million sewer expansion project known as Sewer South Phase 2, overseen by a construction company from Anderson County, has exceeded its Oct. 29 completion deadline, mainly due to outstanding final tasks.
Worker deaths decline amid OSHA crackdown on high-risk trench and fall hazards
According to preliminary data, fatalities in key high-risk areas like trench collapses and falls, which are among the leading causes of death for construction workers, have notably declined.
Top federal court slaps FERC’s hands-on project approvals
Two recent federal appeals court decisions make it unlikely that 2024 and beyond will see an improvement in that statistic, even as interstate pipeline building becomes more important, given increased demand from electric generators, data centers and auto electrification.
Federal court rejects four new pipeline safety rules
Not only has the DC Federal Court of Appeals upended FERC decisions, it has now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
Federal charges filed against contractors for failing to remove lead pipes in Newark, N.J.
Two officials from a construction company contracted to remove lead pipes in Newark have been charged with fraud, accused of deceiving the city by leaving the hazardous pipes in place while falsely claiming to have replaced them.
Federal court halts permits for 32-mile Tennessee gas pipeline project
A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked key permits required for the construction of a 32-mile natural gas pipeline in Tennessee, following legal challenges from environmental groups
EPA mandates lead pipe replacement within 10 years, allocates $44 million to New Jersey for clean water
The Biden-Harris Administration has introduced a new rule requiring U.S. water systems to replace all lead pipes within the next decade, aiming to reduce lead exposure and provide cleaner drinking water.
Water utilities race to complete lead line inventories as EPA deadline looms
As the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oct. 16 deadline approaches, water utilities across the U.S. are scrambling to submit detailed inventories of lead service lines as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
FERC backs Williams in Texas-Louisiana pipeline dispute with Energy Transfer
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has rejected Energy Transfer's request to challenge the jurisdictional status of a major pipeline project by The Williams Companies Inc. (Williams), according to a Sept. 27 ruling.
Wisconsin Whey Protein settles for $350,000 over wastewater violations
Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. has agreed to pay $350,000 and install a new cooling system to resolve violations of state wastewater and stormwater laws at its Darlington cheese and whey plant.
2024 water infrastructure bill gains Senate approval for key U.S. projects
The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance key water infrastructure projects across the nation, including West Virginia.
California governor signs bills to improve sewer systems, expand access to clean water
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation aimed at addressing failing sewer systems in California communities, such as East Orosi. The new law gives the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) greater authority to intervene where sewer services are inadequate.
Enbridge agrees to reapply for key permit, stalling Line 5 tunnel project
The Army Corps of Engineers has extended its environmental review, pushing the project’s potential start date to 2026. Enbridge must now apply for a new water resources permit incorporating updated wetland data before moving forward.
Texas trench fatalities rise despite OSHA safety regulations
(UI) — Trench collapses continue to be a leading cause of preventable worker deaths in Texas, despite existing safety regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
The Environmental Protection Agency recently established new federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS, requiring states to adopt these standards to maintain regulatory control over their water systems.
Federal government must address construction workforce shortage with better policies, survey finds
The nation’s failure to invest in construction workforce education and training programs is having a real, measurable impact on the country’s ability to build infrastructure and other construction projects, according to the results of a workforce survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Arcoro.
Virginia’s Loudoun County to weigh in on Dominion Energy’s transmission line plans
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will hold a public hearing in Loudoun County on Sept. 5, to gather testimony on Dominion Energy Virginia’s proposed Aspen-Golden and Apollo-Twin Creeks electric transmission line projects.
Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
FERC has given a preliminary green light to East Tennessee Natural Gas to build 122 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, providing about 300,000 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas transportation to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant.
- 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