Telecom/Electric
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.
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.
OPALCO invests in underground power lines project in Washington's Doe Bay area
OPALCO has commenced a project to relocate overhead power lines to an underground system, covering the (temporary) Doe Bay bridge to the Eagle Lake intersection in Washington.
DOE awards $34 million for advancing underground power line technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $34 million for 12 projects across 11 states to strengthen and modernize America’s aging power grid through the development of cost-effective, high-speed, and safe undergrounding technologies.
Greenville, S.C., residents eligible for $3,000 power line burial support from Duke Energy
In a collaborative effort, Duke Energy and Greenville, S.C. introduced the POWER ON initiative, aiming to assist homeowners in burying their power lines and ensuring a reliable energy supply.
Oak Hill Capital to invest $250 million in expanding Wire 3’s Florida fiber broadband network
Wire 3 is actively expanding its fiber network across Florida communities within Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Orange, and Marion counties.
PG&E hits milestone with 600 miles of underground powerlines, reducing wildfire risk for 20 counties
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has constructed and energized more than 600 miles of underground powerlines since its ambitious 10,000-mile undergrounding program started in mid-2021, the company announced on Dec. 20.
FirstLight to bring fiber broadband to rural Maine communities with federal funding
FirstLight currently has nearly 4,000 fiber route miles in Maine and continues to expand its network. Its fiber network connects to the cable landing station in Halifax, Nova Scotia and traverses a unique route through the state and into Boston, Mass.
ABB to support electrical utility sector with new U.S. manufacturing facility
ABB Installation Products broke ground on its new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to meet increased demand for ABB’s leading Elastimold cable accessory solutions used to improve grid-hardening through cable undergrounding to help power millions of homes, businesses and communities.
Union County, Ga., breaks ground on $20.5 million fiber broadband expansion project
Kinetic will lay about 550 miles of fiber optic cable in the expansion project to bring high-speed internet to residences, businesses and schools.
San Diego's North Park neighborhood celebrates undergrounding of power lines
(UI) — The North Park neighborhood in San Diego, Calif., recently celebrated a significant milestone as it witnessed the removal of overhead power lines from their community.
CGA publishes telecom white paper on preventing utility damage trends
(UI) — Based on research among telecommunications stakeholders, CGA’s new research points to the sector’s impact on the U.S. damage prevention system as a whole and recommends key actions telecom organizations can take to drive damages down.
Fiber Broadband Association brings fiber broadband education to rural North Carolina communities
Partnering with broadband internet provider Fybe, the two organizations will leverage the OpTIC Path course to produce a pipeline of expertly-trained fiber broadband technicians that will connect rural communities to high-quality fiber broadband networks.
Oregon power company to pay nearly $300 million to settle latest lawsuit over 2020 wildfires
Electricity utility PacifiCorp will pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by about 220 customers who were harmed by devastating wildfires in southern Oregon in 2020.
Texas Electricity Supply Chain Map receives critical infrastructure updates to improve emergency response
The map has has more than 21,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines and approximately 60,000 miles of electric transmission lines.
Fiber Broadband Association program selected as primary fiber optic training for Job Corps.
The OpTIC Path program provides an in-depth training course that can be delivered by schools, colleges, training centers, and employers to develop the talent needed to safely and efficiently deploy fiber networks and connect communities to high-performance broadband.
Metronet installs over 170 miles of fiber optic infrastructure in North Carolina with $70 million investment
Metronet has officially declared the City of Fayetteville a Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet after the company’s ultra-high-speed, multi-gigabit fiber optic network became accessible to a majority of households and businesses throughout the city.
Kinetic to lay over 440 miles of fiber optic cables in Colquitt County
Kinetic will use about $21.4 million in state grant money from the federal government. The company will invest $11.1 million and cover any cost overruns.
MDU Resources to expand electric, natural gas utilities, pipeline businesses with $2.8 billion investment
MDU Resources intends to become a pure-play regulated energy delivery business consisting of electric and natural gas utilities and a natural gas pipeline business.
Fiber Broadband Association to develop telecom workforce by linking technicians to potential employers
FBA members and Learning Alliance partners can leverage Talent Link to gain a direct pathway to certified fiber technicians who are qualified to safely and efficiently build the fiber broadband networks that many communities still need.
Wisconsin's $42 million broadband infrastructure grant sees overwhelming demand
Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) have announced that the Wisconsin Broadband Office received 124 applications requesting $221.6 million for the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program.
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.
- 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