Utility Infrastructure
Kim Rush named president of Portland utility NW Natural Gas
Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) has announced the appointment of Kim Rush as its next president, effective April 1, 2025. Rush, a 26-year veteran of the Portland-headquartered utility, will take on full strategic, financial, and operational responsibilities for the company.
Ridgewood Infrastructure sells stake in SiEnergy Regulated Utility
Ridgewood Infrastructure has sold its 80% interest in SiEnergy to Northwest Natural Holding Company. Since acquiring the business in 2019, Ridgewood Infrastructure has helped transform SiEnergy into one of the fastest-growing natural gas distribution utilities in the nation.
25th Utility Investigation School to take place January 2025 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 25th Utility Investigation School (UIS), a joint initiative by the Buried Asset Management Institute-International (BAMI-I), the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI), Purdue University, and Iowa State University, will take place January 27-31, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires Pipe Pros, expands Southeast utility services
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired Pipe Pros LLC, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based contractor specializing in sewer, sanitation, and storm utility services. The acquisition strengthens Azuria's presence in the Southeast and adds to its portfolio of technology-enabled water solutions.
Black Hills granted new Iowa utility rate approval, backing $100 million in pipeline investments
Black Hills Energy, the Iowa natural gas utility of Black Hills Corp. has received approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission for new rates. The rates are designed to recover approx. $100 million of pipeline system investments.
Hudson Tunnel Project utility relocation phase more than 50% complete, GDC says
The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced 50% completion of the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project. This work marks an essential phase of the Hudson Tunnel Project as it will create an access point for launching the Tunnel Boring Machines.
Pennsylvania 811 hits milestone with one millionth dig notification
Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., dba Pennsylvania 811, recently hit a milestone with its one millionth dig notification received for the year on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at 1516.
Aquarion Water Company closes $41M deal for municipal wastewater system in Ansonia, CT
Aquarion Water Company announced it has completed the purchase of the City of Ansonia's municipal wastewater system. The purchase marks the largest privatization of a municipal wastewater system in New England.
CGA report underscores progress, challenges of buried utilities damage prevention
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, recently published its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report.
JCP&L moving power lines underground in portions of Somerset County, N.J.
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is relocating and upgrading power lines in portions of Bernardsville, Somerset County, to enhance electric service for customers. The $1.75 million project is expected to be completed later this month.
Columbia Gas to replace high-pressure lines, add utility stations in Upper Arlington, Ohio
Columbia Gas is set to begin a major infrastructure overhaul across Upper Arlington in 2025, with projects aimed at replacing aging high-pressure gas lines and adding two above-ground utility stations.
Indiana American Water completes $45 million acquisition of Silver Creek Water
The transaction expands the utility’s service area to approximately 8,000 new customers in Silver Creek and Carr Townships in Clark County, and New Albany Township in Floyd County, located in southern Indiana.
CGA opens registration for 25th annual conference in Orlando, Florida
The conference will bring together industry leaders to reflect on CGA’s quarter-century legacy and explore future innovations in damage prevention.
Weeks after storm, major infrastructure repairs continue on I-40, utilities in Western North Carolina
Several weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, significant infrastructure damage, including key sections of I-40 and local utilities, continues to hamper the region.
CGA’s 2023 DIRT report shows fewer utility damages, urges action on locating delays
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has released its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, showing a drop in utility damage incidents but highlighting ongoing challenges in reducing damages to buried infrastructure.
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.
Energy giants propose new transmission lines across PJM states
Dominion Energy Virginia, American Electric Power and FirstEnergy Corp. have entered into an innovative joint planning agreement to propose several new regional electric transmission projects across multiple states within the PJM footprint.
U.S. largest water utility American Water restores systems after cyberattack
American Water, the largest U.S. water and wastewater utility, is in the process of securely restoring systems that were temporarily taken offline following a cybersecurity incident reported on Oct. 7.
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).
HardRock Infrastructure acquires HDW Construction & Drilling, expands water utility services
HardRock Infrastructure Services and Tower Arch Capital have completed the acquisition of HDW Construction & Drilling, strengthening HardRock’s presence in the water and wastewater utility industry.
Midland, Texas, faces road closures amid utility infrastructure overhaul
As of this week, Colorado Street between Texas Avenue and Wall Street has been closed for Atmos Energy's utility upgrades. North County Road 1160 is also closed from East County Road 90 to the Highway 80 frontage road to facilitate sewer line installations.
Nevada County approves PG&E underground utility project for Red Dog Road
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors in California has approved the creation of the Red Dog Road Underground Utilities District, a project aimed at improving wildfire safety by moving utilities underground.
San Diego sewer upgrade nears completion, potholing to confirm underground utilities
Upcoming work will replace sewer mains and laterals on three streets in San Diego. Crews will also conduct potholing to verify the locations of underground pipes and utility lines.
Ferguson Waterworks partners with AQS for nationwide leak detection solutions
Through this collaboration, Ferguson Waterworks will supply and maintain AQS’s advanced leak management systems for water supply networks, including both distribution and transmission lines.
Utility services firm Precision acquires pipeline integrity specialist Allegheny Contracting
Allegheny provides gas transmission pipeline integrity services, including repair and maintenance from regulatory inspections, and the repair and replacement of underground gas distribution pipelines.
Leica introduces DD300 CONNECT for improved underground utility detection
By detecting the position of underground utility networks, the DD300 CONNECT aims to improve worker safety and prevent damage to underground infrastructures.
Underground explosion triggers fire in Virginia's Crystal City neighborhood
An underground utility fire occurred in Crystal City, a neighborhood in Arlington, Va., on July 23. The fire broke out on the 2400 block of Crystal Drive, following reports of an explosion heard and felt in the area.
Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
Baltimore's Back River Outfall Interceptor underwent emergency rehabilitation due to severe damage and deterioration. The project involved advanced techniques and collaboration between Boyer Inc. and Ulliman Schutte Construction to restore the 1907 structure.
Sewer service restored in West Maui after fires damage infrastructure
Some wastewater infrastructure was damaged during recent fires, cutting off service to many properties in affected areas.
Lynchburg, Va., begins Phase IV of downtown renewal, tackling aging utilities
The Downtown Renewal Construction Project, which began in 2016, is a multimillion-dollar investment aimed at upgrading Lynchburg's aging underground utility infrastructure and enhancing streetscapes.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects
- Mark Boyer named 2025 MVP of underground infrastructure industry