Electric
PG&E gains ground on undergrounding 10,000 miles of power lines
(UI) — The largest project in the country to bury electricity lines underground is being carried out by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and it is on target to finish this year. The utility intends to bury 10,000 miles of wires, and work on this project is progressing mile by mile and county by county.
Recent underground power line explosions in San Francisco raise concerns, safety assurances remain
(UI) — A San Francisco neighborhood has experienced significant problems as a result of an underground explosion and subsequent fire for at least the second time in less than three months.
PG&E plans to move power lines underground along Highway 89 in California
(UI) — In the upcoming months, the Plumas County power lines on Highway 89 between Moccasin and Indian Falls will be relocated underground by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
Consumers Energy proposes new buried power line program to strengthen Michigan grid
The pilot will study real-world resiliency improvements that result from burying power lines, and how those improvements compare with other approaches to improving electric service for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses.
San Rafael secures PG&E funding for Canal Area underground utilities upgrade
(UI) — To facilitate the project's progression, the San Rafael City Council has unanimously approved the establishment of an underground utility district for the designated area. This strategic move enables the city to leverage funding provided by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Harbor Peak breaks ground on seven-mile fiber optic conduit system in Ashburn, Va.
(UI) — The underground infrastructure system will enable lateral connections into the many data centers surrounding the conduit system, and interconnect to Harbor Link’s 60-mile conduit build along I-95 to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, totaling approximately 300 route miles between the networks.
United Rentals introduces low-emissions generators for worksite electrification
The generators are equipped with dual interchangeable and removable electrical panels, making it fast and easy to customize the generators to various power needs. In addition to the environmental benefits, the generators run much quieter than traditional generators.
Editor's Log: The Electric Buzz
(UI) — The tri-annual ConExpo/Con-Agg Show broke all its previous records, including attendance, with over 139,000 people registered. Overwhelming size aside, a tremendous amount of pent-up energy was expended at ConExpo.
NextEra Energy subsidiary FPL starts moving power underground in Coral Gables, Fla.
(UI) — More than 100 city officials and employees of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) gathered in a neighborhood in Coral Gables, Fla., to officially start a long-awaited project: the undergrounding of electricity lines in the area as part of FPL's Storm Safe Underground Program.
Luna Innovations wins fiber optic monitoring system contract for major U.S. clean energy project
Luna’s technology will provide temperature, depth of burial, and acoustic monitoring for the power cables that form the backbone of the system. The monitoring services will help ensure safe, efficient delivery of renewable, reliable, low-cost power over the area’s 300-mile transmission line.
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
BHI Acquisition allows United Utility to form one of U.S. largest transmission/distribution power providers
BHI represents United Utility’s fifth strategic acquisition, all of which have been negotiated on a bi-lateral basis. This transaction further demonstrates the company’s commitment to growing its breadth of services and capabilities to best serve its growing list of key electric utility customers.
Editor’s Log: Stampede
(UI) — The President Biden Administration’s narrative has been to mercilessly shun, blame and attack “big-oil” companies, gas companies and any pipeline ever built as the root of environmental evil. The President has used his bully pulpit to supplement his unending rules and regulations against oil and gas, as the way to achieve the “carbon-free” goal of his zealous backers.
West Virginia regulators deny 12% electric utility rate increase request
West Virginia regulators have denied a request by Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power that would have added $18.41 to the average monthly residential electric bill.
Environmentalists fight huge utility's long-term contracts
Distributors for the nation's largest public utility signed onto what amounted to "never-ending" contracts that unfairly tied them to power generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, a lawyer argued Thursday as she represents environmental groups in a lawsuit.
Work underway to upgrade West Penn Power's electrical system in Butler County, Pa.
West Penn Power is upgrading its distribution system in Butler County to help prevent lengthy service interruptions during severe weather. The company will replace worn equipment, repair underground electric lines and place hundreds of protective devices on numerous power lines.
$1 billion hydropower project's fate rests with Maine supreme court
A stalled $1 billion energy corridor aimed at bringing Canadian hydropower to the New England power grid could be given new life — or spiked for good — by the state’s high court.
Glo Fiber to expand high-speed fiber-optic network to York County, VA
Glo Fiber has reached an agreement with county officials to bring its fiber-optic network to the northern part of York County, Virginia. Construction will start in York County in the beginning of 2023.
Maine utility oversight bill advances after differences resolved
The Maine Legislature voted in favor of a bill to increase oversight of the state's two major electric utilities on Wednesday, a day after a disagreement in the House put the proposal into limbo.
Lawmakers make efforts to protect critical infrastructure in water, utilities sectors
Lawmakers are taking steps to prevent a repeat of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, by designing legislation to protect critical infrastructure in the water, utilities and pipeline sectors.
Thousands Without Heat, Water After Tornadoes Kill Dozens
Many Kentucky residents are without power and water after a powerful tornado blew through the state.
DEP Hears Testimony on Permit Suspension of Power Corridor
A permit for a $1 billion electricity transmission project is facing its final public hearing before a referendum vote.
Mainers Have Their Say on $1B Electric Transmission Line
Voters in Maine are weighing in on a 145-mile conduit for Canadian hydropower.
Details of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan Affecting the Underground Construction Industry
The numbers are out for the bipartisan infrastructure plan that will allocate money to help improve the country's infrastructure.
United Utility Services Acquires B&B Electrical & Utility Contractors
United Utility Services has acquired B&B Electrical & Utility Contractors creating new growth opportunities for both companies.
North Carolina Utilities Told to Stop Disconnections Through August
Regulators in North Carolina have instructed the state's large, for-profit utility companies to continue delaying disconnections through the month of August.
Complicated Cable Boring in Boston Harbor
ECI Drilling International (ECI) recently completed two horizontal directional drilling (HDD) installations in Boston of conduits for cable that replaced old power cable service at an essential wastewater treatment plant. The channel bore also was a step in preparing for construction of major Boston Harbor improvements.
PG&E Commits to Underground Power Lines as Part of Wildfire Rebuild
PG&E announced today that it will put all electric distribution power lines underground in the Town of Paradise and some of the surrounding areas as the town rebuilds from the Camp Fire.
American Augers/Trencor Launch New Website
American Augers/Trencor, a Charles Machine Works company and leading manufacturer of horizontal directional drills, auger boring machines and large-scale trenchers and surface miners, launched a newly designed website. Bringing together the two brands with the message – “Two Brands. One Commitment” ..
Rise of the Internet and Loss of the Human Touch
Robert Carpenter | Editor-in-Chief I’ve spent some frustrating times both calling companies and getting on their websites the past few years. Now, I’m getting downright infuriated – and that goes for both general markets and underground infrastructure companies. Quick, responsive customer service h..
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