December 2022 Vol. 77 No. 12

(UI) — In 2023, Underground Construction will morph into Underground Infrastructure. The title Underground Construction has served our magazine well for the past 25 years when, in January 1997, the publication moved away from traditional oil and gas pipeline construction-centric coverage to a broad-based utility and pipeline focus.

(UC) — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) continues to dispatch environmental objections to pipeline projects. Even Chairman Richard Glick, who had originally made reducing greenhouse gas emissions his guiding light, is turning a deaf ear.

(UC) — The changing face of telecommunications continues to present unique opportunities for the growth of small, quality contractors. Telecommunications contractor Prowire Inc. has opened a branch office in Albion, Maine, to better service its clients throughout Maine and New Hampshire. The home office is in South Paris, Maine.

(UC) — While ongoing programs are in place to reduce accidental damage to buried utility infrastructure, damages continue to happen, usually during construction or repair work, when interrupting service, and sometimes posing the risk of injury and death.

(UC) — With a new year rapidly approaching, final preparations for the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) are well underway. UCT is scheduled for Feb. 7–9, in Orlando, Fla, at the Orange County Convention Center.

(UC) — According to a 2021 study from BroadbandNow, at least 42 million Americans do not have access to broadband internet. Access to affordable and reliable broadband in the 21st century is largely considered a critical infrastructure necessity, just like transportation, electricity and water.

(UI) — Pipe plugs are designed to perform three essential functions: blocking a pipeline, conducting an air test in a pipeline, and bypassing effluent in an active pipeline. Blocking a pipeline becomes necessary during new installation or maintenance, when effluent needs to be temporarily stopped or a new pipe is air tested for leaks.

UC's December Newsline features information about the U.S. Justice Department suing Idaho City over water pollution, Michigan receiving $500 million to rebuild its water infrastructure, federal investigations into public spending on the failing water system in Jackson, Mississippi, and more of the latest industry developments.