June 2021 Vol. 76 No. 6

By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief As the infamous COVID-19 pandemic pain, anxiety and outright fear steadily fade away, it’s actually beginning to feel like summer – a normal summer. Most facets of underground construction and rehabilitation are ramping up to full speed, many at warp speed. Cong..

Ex-Iowa Wastewater Plant Supervisor Sentenced for Tampering  A former Iowa wastewater treatment plant official has been sentenced to three months in federal prison for manipulating water sample test results to ensure plant discharges into the Missouri River met federal requirements.  Jay Niday, 63..

By Stephen Barlas, Washington D.C. Editor The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is in the process of setting up an office to be responsible for helping pipeline opponents challenge new construction and even, applications for variances once a project is approved. Congress has told the FERC..

Change was the theme of the 1990s, not only in terms of ups, downs and surprises, but diversification as well. Oil pipelines were taking a back seat to the boom in underground utility installation from gas distribution, sewer/water and cable involved in both new construction and rehabilitation.  Te..

Hunting Trenchless  THEN  Founded in 1972 by Calvin and Huey Olivier, as Iberia Machine Shop, located in the heart of New Iberia, La., and specialized in machining oilfield accessories. A few years later, the Olivier’s ..

As the Time of COVID draws to a welcome close, a new president and Congress present both a carrot and a stick to underground infrastructure. The result is that for small to mid-sized rig owners/operators it is good to be an horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractor.  The overall buildout of ..

By Jeff Awalt, Executive Editor Ben Nelson’s term as president of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) began in late February 2020, about a month before the world went on lockdown with the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccinations underway and restrictions finally easing, Nelson is focusing on..

Across the broad spectrum of the underground utility and pipeline construction industry, there are many associations serving various niches and needs. But none has been more influential and significant to the marketplace than the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), officially chartered in 19..

It’s time to get back to in-person learning and networking and the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) is the place! Join your colleagues and friends Tuesday, July 13–Thursday, July 15 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., for much needed face-time..

Wyo-Ben Launches New Website  As part of its 70th-year celebrations throughout 2021, Wyo-Ben Inc. launched a new website.  The bentonite production leader’s homepage now features stunning aerial footage of a Wyo-Ben production facility and bentonite “pie pan” outcroppings that create a surreal lan..