Associations
Many Positives From Common Ground Alliance DIRT Report
The latest Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) report released in October 2016 by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) contained the good news that efforts to reduce accidental damage to the nation’s underground utility infrastructure and build awareness of the free 811 service are making significa..
APCA Looks To Strong Future
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) closed out the year 2016 stronger than ever and with a high level of optimism for the energy policies of a new president and administration. “Over the past 12 to 18 months, APCA members were involved in building the majority of new natural gas in..
WRF Releases Results From Direct Potable Reuse Study
The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a leading sponsor of potable reuse research, has released interim results from the ongoing study, “Blending Requirements for Water from Direct Potable Reuse Treatment Facilities” (#4536). The objective of this project is to provide guidance for the appropriate us..
Controversial BLM Rule Could Stimulate Gathering Line Construction
It is not often that a federal regulatory dictate is good for one section of the oil and gas industry but bad for another. But the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is part of the Department of Interior, manages to create that divergence with its November final rule which affects nearly 100,000..
Water Council Establishes ICE Institute Focused On Technology
The Water Council, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, launched a groundbreaking commercialization initiative that will match manufacturers, utilities and the agricultural industry with promising water and water-related technology research and innovations for advancement into the marketplace. The ICE (..
Municipal Sewer Grout School
The tradition continues as Aries, Avanti and Logiball join forces to bring hands-on demonstrations of equipment performance, and test and seal process of injection grout for compliance with the NASSCO/ICGA Operating Standard, Jan. 11-12, at Avanti International in Houston. Catering to those who spe..
Guy Leslie Joins Trio Vision As VP Sales
Guy Leslie has joined Trio Vision LLC as vice president of sales to help develop the manufacturer of closed-circuit television inspection equipment and grow its portfolio of regional, national and global accounts. Leslie brings a wealth of experience within the wastewater and water management indus..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Rudy Fernandez
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant contributions and impacted the cont..
Christine Wehrman Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Christine Wehrman, CEO and executive vice president of the American Rental Association (ARA), was presented with the European Rental Association (ERA) Lifetime Achievement Award. Wehrman, who previously announced her planned retirement from ARA, was honored by the recognition. “It has truly been a..
Pipeline Safety Bill Becomes Law; New Proposed Regs Become More Significant
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring transmission pipelines to plug methane leaks at compressor stations includes some softening of earlier-proposed requirements, but will still impose substantial costs as companies move to repair leaks at new or modified compressors and co..
Infrastructure Vision 2050 Names “Dream” Phase Winners
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced five winners in the second, “Dream”, phase of the Infrastructure Vision 2050 Challenge. Launched earlier this year, the three-phased competition challenges a community of innovators to reimagine personal mobility, freight movement, and ..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Andy Drinkwater
EDITOR’S NOTE: NASSCO just completed its 40th anniversary and continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As the association continues its phenomenal growth, this series profiles those who have made significant contributions and impacted the cont..
DCA/AGA Workshop Dives Into New Issues, Workforce Development
The Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) and American Gas Association (AGA) recently held the Third Annual DCA/AGA workshop in Chicago. The workshop has grown in interest, attendance and in the range of issues addressed by a host of panels and speakers. These sessions discussed ways to improve..
INGAA Says Aspects Of New Methane Emission Limits Troublesome
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule requiring transmission pipelines to plug methane leaks at compressor stations includes some softening of earlier-proposed requirements, but will still impose substantial costs as companies move to repair leaks at new or modified compressors and co..
GTI Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) celebrates 75 years as a leading research, development and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry and government. GTI has provided high-impact technologies and te..
AEM’s Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group Identifies Priorities
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) new Sewer Cleaner Leadership Group is one of approximately a dozen created in response to the association members’ needs for executive-level, product-specific groups dedicated to the resolution of technical, regulatory, legislative or market-related ..
CIGMAT 2016 Focuses On Further Advancement
The Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT) and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, hosted its 21st annual, one-day conference and exhibition on at the University of Houston, March 4. More than 330 individuals and 14 invited speakers..
Uniform Soil Groups For Pipe Installation
By Amster Howard, P.E. The language in pipe installation specifications should be as clear, concise and consistent as possible. The engineer often relies on American Water Works Association (AWWA) and American Standards of Testing and Measurement (ASTM) standards and manuals to prepare the project ..
NASSCO Standard Bearers: Ray Bahr, Jr.
I was born in Hamden, CT, and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut. In 1951, I joined the Air Force where I attended pilot training school. After serving three years as an Air Force pilot, I left the military and returned to Connecticut to work for my father, Ray Bahr, Sr...
$546 Billion Needed in U.S., Canada Energy Infrastructure Investment
The United States and Canada will require annual average midstream natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids midstream energy infrastructure investment of about $26 billion per year, or $546 billion (real 2015$) total over the 21-year period from 2015 to 2035, a new study finds. The report, “N..
Water Leaders Discuss Lead Line Replacements
More than 100 water utility leaders from across shared strategies for removing the lead service lines connecting millions of older homes to water mains at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2016. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) hosted the event during Drinking Water Wee..
New Pipeline Safety Proposal Contains Multiple New Requirements
Pipeline industry executives are pouring over the 500-plus page pipeline safety proposal from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), an effort that will take some time before informed comments can be made. The initial comment deadline is at the end of May. “The typical 6..
WEF, WateReuse Analysis Demonstrates SRF Benefits
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association released a new economic benefits analysis on the impacts of increased funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), May 3, 2016. The analysis revealed a requested $34.7 billion of federal SRF spending ..
ARA Projects Revenue Growth for Equipment Rental Industry
The American Rental Association (ARA), which offers quarterly updates to its 5-year forecast for rental equipment industry revenue to reflect the most up-to-date economic factors, released its second quarter outlook, May 2. The total U.S. rental revenue in 2016 is expected to reach a record $47.9 b..
AWWA, Water Sector Celebrate Drinking Water Week
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and water professionals across the country kicked off Drinking Water Week, May 1. Throughout the week, AWWA and the water community will celebrate Drinking Water Week with the theme “Your Water – To Know It Is To Love It”. Recognizing the vital role water..
DCA 2016 Convention Draws Record Attendance
Coming off a strong year for construction, the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) attracted a near record attendance of 460 people to its annual convention in Naples, FL. The five-day meeting was filled with social events, networking opportunities and committee meetings such as HDD, Govern-..
Registration Opens For UESI/ASCE Pipelines 2016 Conference
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ newest institute, the Underground Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI), will hold its annual Pipelines Conference in Kansas City, MO, from July 17 -20. This year’s conference is appropriately titled “Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Not Out Of Risk.” The Pipel..
Property Values Unaffected By Presence Of Pipelines, New Report Finds
The presence of an underground natural gas transmission pipeline does not affect the sales prices or value of residential properties, according to a new study, Pipeline Impact to Property Value and Property Insurability, conducted by Integra Realty Resources (IRR) on behalf of the Interstate Natural..
The DCA Safety Award: Building A Culture Of Safety
Each year the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA) recognizes member contractors for achieving outstanding safety records the previous year. The DCA has been recognizing safe practices with the award since 1986. In recent years, about 85 companies have submitted entries. The award’s namesake,..
National Safe Digging Month 2016 One Call List
Whether you are a professional excavator, contractor, engineer or utility owner, you play an important role keeping people safe with every dig. Laws governing excavation vary by state, and they can be confusing. Answering the question, “Do I have to call 811?” can be difficult if you don’t understan..
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- LA recovery reports call for $650 million power line burial, major utility upgrades in Pacific Palisades
- Comprehensive microtrenching FAQ: Key insights on the Vermeer MTR516 microtrencher
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion