Regulatory
Residents in St. Croix sue government over water contaminated with lead and copper
A group of residents have sued a public utility company in the U.S. Virgin Islands after authorities there reported finding high levels of lead and copper in the tap water on St. Croix. The report caused panic and forced tens of thousands to rely on bottled water.
Drought-prone California advances controversial water tunnel project despite environmental opposition
A long-sought and disputed project in drought-prone California aimed at capturing more water during heavy rain storms reached a key milestone on Friday when Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration finished an environmental review for an underground tunnel.
Regulators’ recommendation would mean 3% lower electric rates for New Mexico residential customers
Staff for New Mexico’s utility regulators have recommended new rates for the state’s largest electric provider that would result in about a 3% decrease for residential customers instead of the 9.7% increase Public Service Co. of New Mexico was seeking.
Montana challenges EPA rule to protect water quality certifications, foster infrastructure development
(UI) — Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and ten other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule on Dec. 5 stating that it makes "sweeping and unlawful" changes to federal regulations governing state-issued water quality certifications.
US officials want ships to anchor farther from California undersea pipelines, citing 2021 oil spill
Federal officials on Tuesday recommended increasing the distance from undersea pipelines that vessels are allowed to anchor in Southern California, citing a 2021 oil spill they said was caused by ships whose anchors were dragged across a pipeline after a storm.
Biden administration targets US oil and gas industry with new rule on methane emissions
The Biden administration on Saturday issued a final rule aimed at reducing methane emissions, targeting the U.S. oil and natural gas industry for its role in global warming as President Joe Biden seeks to advance his climate legacy.
Michigan regulators approve $500 million Great Lakes tunnel for aging oil pipeline
Michigan officials approved a $500 million plan Friday to encase in a protective tunnel a portion of an aging oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel connecting two Great Lakes, leaving just one more regulatory hurdle for the contentious project.
Seattle and King County, Wash., penalized for sewer overflow violations
(UI) — The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are jointly issuing penalties to Seattle and King County for violating conditions of their federal consent decrees and state water quality permits that regulate combined sewer overflows from Seattle’s sanitary sewer system.
Congressmen ask DOJ to investigate water utility hack, warning it could happen anywhere
Three members of Congress have asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate how foreign hackers breached a water authority near Pittsburgh, prompting the nation’s top cyber defense agency to warn other water and sewage-treatment utilities that they may be vulnerable.
Cities must replace harmful lead pipes within 10 years under new Biden administration plan
(AP) — Most U.S. cities would have to replace lead water pipes within ten years under strict new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency as the Biden administration moves to reduce lead in drinking water and prevent public health crises like the ones in Flint, Michigan and Washington, D.C.
Federal appeals court upholds judge’s dismissal of Dakota Access Pipeline protesters’ lawsuit
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal judge’s 2021 decision dismissing a lawsuit filed by protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline, who alleged law enforcement officers used excessive force during a clash in 2016.
TC Energy secures FERC nod for pipeline expansion project in Virginia
Columbia Gas Transmission's Virginia Reliability Project (VRP) represents a strategic expansion project designed to replace two segments of the existing pipeline system, ensuring a continual and abundant supply of natural gas.
Mississippi’s capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people
The manager of the long-troubled water system in Mississippi’s capital city proposed a slight rate increase for most residents Friday alongside what he said is a first-in-the-nation proposal to reduce water rates for low-income people who get government help with grocery bills.
Federal authorities investigate underwater oil pipeline leak off the coast of Louisiana
Federal authorities said Saturday that they’re investigating a leak from an underwater oil pipeline off the coast of Louisiana.
Illinois regulators slash gas utility rate hikes, halt controversial pipe-replacement program
(UI) — In a sweeping rebuff of four different utilities, Illinois regulators have sharply curtailed record rate hikes proposed for more than 4 million gas customers across the state, while also blocking most spending on a controversial pipe-replacement program that has fueled a heating affordability crisis for consumers in recent years.
California approves PG&E rate increase to underground power lines for wildfire prevention
About 16 million Californians will experience an average monthly bill increase of over $32 in the coming year as Pacific Gas & Electric raises rates to bury 2,100 miles of power lines, aiming to minimize wildfire risks.
New York Transco's $1.4 billion power line plan receives state nod
(UI) — New York Transco has received the green light from New York State's utilities regulator on Thursday for three transmission projects. As part of this comprehensive project, the developer plans to introduce three new underground cables linking Long Island to the broader state.
FCC adopts rules to eliminate ‘digital discrimination’ for communities with poor internet access
Poorer neighborhoods were found to have received lower investment in broadband infrastructure and offered worse deals for internet service than comparatively higher-income areas. That inequity in access “was especially pronounced during the pandemic,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
New York sues PepsiCo Inc. for plastic pollution, alleging the company contaminated drinking water
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. on Wednesday, accusing the soda-and-snack food giant of polluting the environment and endangering public health after its single-use plastics were found along the Buffalo River.
Wisconsin Senate signs off on bill to spend tens of millions on PFAS pollution
Wisconsin municipalities and landowners could apply for tens of millions of dollars in state grants to combat PFAS pollution under a bill the state Senate approved Tuesday.
Progress on $1 trillion infrastructure investment hinges on 2024 election, Biden administration says
His administration says getting money out the door has required the hiring of 6,100 federal officials and meant a new degree of cooperation across governments that the outcome of next year’s presidential election could put at risk.
Pennsylvania American Water files rate request driven by $1 billion in investment
(UI) — If approved, the company's proposed rates would raise the average monthly water bill by around $17 for residential customers, reduce the monthly wastewater bill for sanitary sewer service by about $5, and increase the monthly wastewater bill for combined sewer service by approximately $4.
Format of public comment meetings for Dakota Access oil pipeline upsets opponents
Opponents of the Dakota Access oil pipeline are taking issue with the format of private oral testimony in meetings for public comment on a draft environmental review of the controversial pipeline.
Prosecutors: Supreme Court decision closes door on criminal prosecutions in Flint water scandal
The Michigan attorney general’s office said Tuesday that the state prosecution of former Gov. Rick Snyder and other officials for their roles in the Flint water scandal has ended.
Utility clerk appointed to West Virginia Legislature as GOP House member
Erica J. Moore, a city administrative clerk from central West Virginia, has been appointed to the state Legislature. Moore said she’s looking forward to serving in the Legislature and contributing to policy with her knowledge of water and sewer issues from her work with the city.
Senate Democrats examine Pennsylvania's urgent water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure challenges
(UI) — Pennsylvania state senators recently conducted a crucial public hearing at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to address pressing issues concerning water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure that impact communities across the state.
State audit finds thousands of dollars missing or misspent by Dunklin County Sewer District
(UI) — A state audit led to a state police investigation into the Dunklin County Sewer District, according to the office of the Missouri State Auditor.
Navigator cancels proposed Midwestern CO2 pipeline, citing ‘unpredictable’ regulatory processes
A company on Friday said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile (2,092-km) pipeline across five Midwestern states that would have gathered carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants and buried the gas deep underground.
Feds OK gas pipeline expansion in Pacific Northwest over environmentalist protests
The 1,377-mile (2,216-km) pipeline will run from the Canadian border through a corner of Idaho and into Washington state and Oregon, connecting with a pipeline going into California.
Texas to vote on $1 billion water infrastructure proposal
(UI) — Texas voters will have a chance to weigh in on securing safe, clean, and accessible drinking water for communities statewide. Proposition 6 would amend the state constitution to create the Texas Water Fund and provide $1 billion dollars to address aging water infrastructure and gaps in access to clean drinking water.
- 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