Telecommunications

Utility Recognizes Innovative Employees

Through its annual Innovation Awards program, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation recently recognized 68 employees who implemented 41 improvement projects in 2016 that provided tangible benefits for Central Hudson and its customers. “Innovation is a core value at Central Hudson, and one our e..

Prime Horizontal Launches New MudVis Technology

Prime Horizontal has launched MudVis, an automated mud viscosity and specific gravity measuring and logging system. MudVis samples your stock or mixing tank bentonite at regular preset intervals. The viscosity and specific gravity values are logged in the processing unit and available (real time) f..

Companies Announce Pipeline Construction to Provide Carbon-Neutral Renewable Natural Gas

Southern California Gas Co. and waste management company CR&R Environmental have broke ground on construction of an eight-inch pipeline that will bring carbon-neutral renewable natural gas into the Southern California Gas distribution system for the first time. The connecting pipeline, funded by CR..

Sentient Energy Expands Intelligent Analytics to Entire Distribution Grid

Sentient Energy, Inc. today announced its new Sentient ZM1™ zero amperage grid monitor for deployment on cellular and mesh networks. The Sentient ZM1 is the world’s first advanced line monitor that can be deployed on distribution lines even where no or very-low amperage is available to power monito..

Utility Builds Smarter Sewer System

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) is building a smarter sewer system that will help reduce sewer overflows into creeks and rivers. “Our smart sewer system is anticipated to save tens of millions of dollars in capital investments in projects to control sewer overflows,” sai..

Fiber, Sewer and Water Part of $1 Trillion Infrastructure Proposal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats on Tuesday will propose spending $1 trillion on transportation and other infrastructure projects over 10 years in an attempt to engage President Donald Trump on an issue where they hope to find common ground. Details of the plan provided to The Associated Press in..

ADS Unveils New Stormwater Pipe Technology

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., has revealed its latest breakthrough in stormwater pipe technology, HPXR™ 75. This new technology provides heightened levels of stiffness, is available in a range of sizes, and yields significant cost benefits for customers compared to alternative products. “The HPX..

McElroy Partners with Netafim to Grow HDPE Equipment Business

McElroy and Netafim have joined forces to meet the demand for HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipeline solutions serving the irrigation industry and the growing opportunities in potable water and natural gas. “We are excited about the many benefits McElroy machines will bring to our growing operat..

John Deere and AGTEK Collaboration Increases Customer Support

As contractors increasingly use 3D digital models and GPS technology when grading a job site, John Deere is joining forces with AGTEK − a leading provider of takeoff and 3D modeling software for the civil construction industry − to increase efficiency and ease the takeoff and modeling process across..

Water Technology Program Names Inaugural Class

Pipeline H2O, a new water technology commercialization program managed by The Hamilton Mill, has announced its first class of companies. Supported by a coalition of regional cities, utilities, universities, and startup organizations throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, Pipeline H2O’s goal is to..

SoCalGas to Use Fiber Optic Technology to Monitor Pipelines in Real Time

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) will be one of the first natural gas utilities in the United States to incorporate innovative fiber-optic cable technology to detect impacts and leaks along its transmission and high-pressure pipeline system. The technology uses fiber-optic strands to tran..

Company Increases Use of Drones to Inspect Electric Transmission Lines

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy is increasing the use of drones for such things as inspecting equipment, navigating remote areas and managing some emergencies, as the utility tries to improve safety and efficiency while also saving money, company officials said. Westar and Kansas State University..

University of Michigan, Google Create Flint Water Crisis App

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and Google have teamed up to create an app and website aimed at helping Flint residents and officials deal with the lead-contaminated water crisis. Mywater-Flint was developed by computer science researchers at the university’s Flint and Ann Arbor camp..

Michels Upgrades Sewer and Catch Basin Cleaning Service

Michels Pipe Services has added a cost-effective, environmentally sound approach to sewer and catch basin cleaning in the Midwest. The service augments Michels’ comprehensive water and sewer maintenance and rehabilitation services throughout the nation. Michels recently purchased eight Camel 1200 w..

Altice USA Unveils Full-Scale Fiber-to-the-Home Network Investment Plan

Altice USA, a subsidiary of Altice N.V., a leading global telecommunications, media and entertainment company, plans to invest further in the U.S. by building a next-generation fiber-to-the-home network capable of delivering broadband speeds of up to 10 Gbps across its footprint. Altice USA will ext..

Colorado Celebrates “Water Research Foundation Day”

Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper proclaimed December 5, 2016 “Water Research Foundation Day,” in honor of The Water Research Foundation, a leading sponsor of innovative research supporting the water community.  Originally based in New York, WRF has been a member of the Colorado business commun..

The Great Lakes Water Utility Energy Challenge Launches

The Great Lakes Protection Fund and American Water Works Association have launched The Water Utility Energy and Efficiency Challenge, an innovative program which engages water operators in a competition to reduce the emissions sourced in their energy generation. The competition is aimed at connectin..

Fiber Optic Network Provider Sold for $1.4 Billion

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — The Vancouver-based fiber optic network provider Electric Lightwave has sold to a Colorado company for $1.42 billion. The Columbian reports (http://bit.ly/2gILXzg ) that telecom infrastructure company Zayo Group announced the purchase on Wednesday and the deal is expected to..

Major Underground Utility Infrastructure Conference Brings Education, Equipment To Fort Worth, TX

The 2017 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) is taking its benchmark education program to the Fort Worth Convention Center, Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Presented by Underground Construction magazine, UCT is the largest event in the United States focusing on undergroun..

Commission: Michigan Should Spend $4 Billion More Annually on Infrastructure

(AP) – A report ordered by Gov. Rick Snyder says Michigan must spend $4 billion more annually to upgrade infrastructure that includes roads, water systems and the power grid. The study released Monday says the state and local governments spend less than the U.S. average and in surrounding states. ..

FTTH Booming In Rural Texas Panhandle Fiber Installation All Going Underground

The steady growth of fiber optic cable deployment in the United States steadily continues with more and more households and businesses being directly connected to fiber. While newspaper headlines often announce big carrier plans to bring fiber to an increasing number of cities, fiber to the home (..

Vermeer RTX750 Ride-On Tractor

The Vermeer RTX750 Ride-On Tractor is powered by a 7-horsepower, Deutz TD2.9L4 diesel engine, has a max torque of 192 ft-lb and operator ear rating of 91 d(B)a. When equipped with rubber tires, the RTX750 is 72 inches wide, with a max transport speed (forward/reverse) of 5 mph. If difficult ground c..

Toro Pro Sneak 365

The Toro Pro Sneak 365 offers powerful plowing in a compact, maneuverable package — perfect for installing drip irrigation lines, electrical cable or other utilities in tight spaces. The narrow tire configuration, which spans 36” in width, allows for passage through gates or other obstacles, and the..

Maine Regulators Expand Investigation of FairPoint Communications

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — State utility regulators are expanding an investigation of FairPoint Communications for failing to meet minimum service standards for landline customers. The Maine Public Utilities Commission has been considering a $500,000 fine against FairPoint for failing to meet standards ..

Water Research Foundation Appoints John Albert as Chief Research Officer

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has appointed John Albert as Chief Research Officer. Albert will contribute to the strategic direction of WRF as part of the Senior Management Team and as director of Research Services and Subscribers Services. “We are excited that John has accepted the role of C..

Carylon Purchases Pipeline Asset Management And Investigative Technologies

Carylon Corporation, a North American comprehensive environmental maintenance service provider, has purchased several state-of-the-art pipeline asset management and investigative technologies from JD7 that allow Carylon to inspect and conduct condition assessments in live pressure water mains across..

SoCalGas Deploys Sensors to Detect Methane and Enhance Public Safety

Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has completed demonstration testing of new gas detection sensors employing its Advanced Meter communication system as part of its overall pipeline safety efforts. The sensors can detect natural gas leaks quickly near natural gas pipelines and serves as an e..

John Deere Integrates SmartGrade Technology Into 750K, 850K Dozers

John Deere is building on its lineup of SmartGrade crawler dozers with the integration of the machine control offering on the 750K and 850K models. “The launch of our 700K SmartGrade dozer was a huge hit earlier this year, and many of our customers asked for the grade control technology to be integ..

UT Austin Engineering Becomes New Home for EPA Water Infrastructure Center

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $3.9 million to researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin to establish the new Center for Infrastructure Modeling and Management, which will develop and improve open source water infrastructure mo..

Vactor HXX ParaDIGm® Vacuum Excavator Wins Award at 15th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards

The Vactor HXX ParaDIGm®, a compact vacuum excavator, has been named a winner at the 15th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The Chicago Innovation Awards recognize the most innovative new products or services brought to market or public service in the Chicago area each year. The award was presented..