Telecom/Electric
T-Mobile to invest $950 million in fiber optic joint venture with EQT to acquire Lumos
The next capital contribution by T-Mobile out of an additional commitment of approximately $500 million is anticipated between 2027 and 2028. These combined investments are expected to allow Lumos to reach 3.5 million homes by the end of 2028.
Federal court denies tribes’ bid to halt $10 billion transmission line project in Arizona
A federal judge has rejected a request by Native American tribes to stop work on a $10 billion transmission line being built through a remote southeastern Arizona valley that will carry electricity from New Mexico to California.
Zayo Group upgrades critical fiber broadband infrastructure across the country
Zayo Group announced its latest round of critical infrastructure upgrades, including its newest long-haul dark fiber route connecting Columbus to Pittsburgh and a highly sought-after 400G-enabled wavelength route connecting Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
Frontier to expand fiber broadband network to rural Illinois with $25 million grant
Frontier, the largest pure-play fiber provider in the U.S, received $24.7 million in grant funding to expand high-speed fiber broadband service to homes and businesses in rural Illinois. The grant was awarded by Connect Illinois with the assistance of Greene County Economic Development Group.
Kinetic adds 20 miles of fiber broadband network in Pennsylvania
More than 1,220 homes, businesses and schools in Beaver County now have access to Kinetic fiber, local officials and Kinetic representatives said.
Wisconsin’s Menominee Tribe secures funding for underground power line project
FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program has allocated $872,894 to support the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin's underground power line conversion initiative.
Lumos breaks ground on fiber optic network expansion in South Carolina
Lumos ground in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, OneSpartanburg. With this expansion, thousands of homes and small businesses in Upstate S.C. will have access to Lumos' ultra-fast internet.
Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
The Fiber Broadband Association’s Technology Committee has published its “Fiber Broadband Scalability and Longevity” white paper — the latest FBA research that explains optical fiber is the only communications medium that can support both existing and future applications for many decades with no infrastructure changes.
Colorado Springs Utilities undertakes underground power line shift post-2021 windstorm
In Colorado Springs, efforts are underway by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to relocate power lines underground after identifying susceptibility during a windstorm in 2021.
California regulators greenlight program to accelerate electric infrastructure undergrounding
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has introduced a new initiative aimed at accelerating the undergrounding of electric distribution infrastructure across the state. This program, mandated by Senate Bill (SB) 884, targets increased system resilience and climate adaptation.
Conservation groups sue to stop a transmission line from crossing a Mississippi River refuge
A coalition of conservation groups filed a last-minute federal lawsuit to halt plans for building a 102-mile transmission line that would link Iowa’s Dubuque County and Wisconsin’s Dane County, crossing through a Mississippi River wildlife refuge.
ALM fiber-monitoring solution detects faults in Kentucky fiber broadband network
The system acts like a radar that continuously scans fiber optic cables to pinpoint the location of issues such as attenuation, water damage and breaks.
Proposed underground transmission line from Canada to New England cancelled
The proposed underground transmission line through northern Vermont to Londonderry, New Hampshire, would have been able to deliver power generated by wind and solar facilities in Canada and send to Quebec renewable energy produced by future power generators off the New England coast or other source.
Consumers Energy to bury electric lines in six Michigan counties
Consumers Energy has announced the approval of a targeted undergrounding pilot program by the Michigan Public Service Commission. With a $3.7 million investment, the company plans to bury 10 miles of overhead power lines within the next year.
Meridiam breaks ground on $230 million, 300-mile fiber optic network in rural Alabama
The firm will develop, build, finance, and manage a high-speed fiber-optic network that, upon completion, will enable fiber broadband to 53,000 households and businesses across more than 300 miles.
I&M commences reconstruction of underground power line in Muncie, Ind.
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives plan to start construction next week to rebuild an aging underground power line along Tillotson Avenue in Muncie.
Underground electric cable replacement program in Geneva, Ill., to bolster service reliability
The city of Geneva, Illinois, is set to improve the reliability of its electric service by undertaking an underground cable replacement project slated to commence in March.
Blue Mountain Networks completes significant fiber optic infrastructure expansion in Oregon
The project involves laying hundreds of miles of new, underground fiber optic cables throughout Umatilla County. This development is expected to have a transformative impact on the area, enabling advancements in various sectors including education, healthcare, and local businesses.
Bluebird Network completes 3,500 ft. underground fiber optic crossing beneath Mississippi River
The pivotal 3,500-ft underground fiber optic river crossing enhances route diversity and redundancy for Midwest enterprises while respecting historical preservation.
CenterPoint Energy sells Louisiana, Mississippi natural gas assets for $1.2 billion
CenterPoint Energy Inc. has announced the sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas LDC businesses to Bernhard Capital Partners, a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, for $1.2 billion.
Austin Energy's distribution system undergoes assessment for underground feasibility
Twin independent studies by engineering firm Burns & McDonnell will begin in March 2024 to assess the underground feasibility and overhead resiliency of Austin Energy’s distribution system.
New York State OKs $57.8 million underground transmission line linking Nanuet to West Nyack
The New York State Public Service Commission has greenlit a $57.8 million project to install a new underground transmission line spanning approximately five-and-one-half miles between the Burns substation and the West Nyack Substation in the town of Clarkstown, New York.
FirstEnergy strengthens Maryland electric grid by replacing 50 miles of underground cable
Potomac Edison proactively replaced about 50 miles of aging underground cable with a more reliable type of cable designed to withstand elements like dirt, rocks, lightning and water.
altafiber to bring fiber network to 27,000 addresses in Ohio
altafiber has invested more than $1.5 billion into its fiber network to date, reaching approximately 760,000 addresses. altafiber also plans to expand its multi-gigabit fiber network to approximately 400,000 homes outside of its incumbent territories, including new markets in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Five Star Electric to replace 150,000 feet of fiber optic cable in $67 million contract from New York Transportation Authority
The project scope of work includes the replacement of approximately 150,000 feet of fiber optic cable; interconnecting and integrating more than 360 branch sites into MTA’s network; connecting, testing and integrating existing service delivery switches at more than 150 branch sites; and integrating existing closed circuit television cameras at 125 stations to existing video management and physical security information management systems.
Chinese hackers are determined to 'wreak havoc' on US critical infrastructure, FBI director warns
Chinese government hackers are busily targeting water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other critical infrastructure inside the United States, FBI Director Chris Wray told House lawmakers Wednesday in a fresh warning from Washington about Beijing's global ambitions.
Duquesne Light Company selects DNV system to improve underground cable safety
The Smart Cable Guard system is designed to be installed throughout the underground electrical grid, feeding real-time data into an analytics platform powered by AI that sends operational alerts to DLC.
PirTano Construction expands electrical offerings with Powerlink Electric acquisition
Mike Piraino, President of PirTano, said, "The acquisition of Powerlink will operate as a new electrical division, and brings additional service offerings and bench strength of employees as we look forward to continuing to support our customers while capitalizing on additional opportunities."
Alaska Communications to invest $40 million to expand fiber broadband network in 2024
In the last two years, Alaska Communications deployed fiber to the home to about 10,000 homes in Fairbanks and Anchorage, along with a fiber build to a multi-dwelling unit in downtown Juneau.
Underground fire and power outage in downtown Baltimore snarls commute and closes courthouses
The fire affected underground electrical conduits along North Charles Street and power was shut down in the area to assist in extinguishing the fire, officials said.
- 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