Environment
New OSHA Administrator Talks Tough; BP Accident Imperils Offshore Gas Expansion
David Michaels, the new administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is turning up the heat on industry, and critics of the agency under George W. Bush are pointing the Obama administrator toward the pipeline and underground construction industries.
Model Geothermal Installation Supports Habitat For Humanity Development
Hope Crossing, a suburban housing development in northeast Oklahoma City, may not look much different than other housing additions of attractive, moderately-priced homes, but it is unique. Hope Crossing is the largest “green” Habitat for Humanity housing development in the United States.
New EPA Regulations Will Require Machine Reconfiguring, Add Cost
In less than six months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Interim Tier 4 emission standards will go into effect for many types of off-road diesel powered equipment used in underground construction, and equipment owners and operators are devoting increasing attention to the changes they will bring.
New Holland Tier 4 Solutions
New Holland announced its solution to meet the Tier 4 interim emissions standards, which will be effective in 2011.
New Jobs Bill Has Infrastructure Funding Provision; pipeline safety issues crop up; GHG reporting
It looks like Congress will give cities and counties some new flexibility in funding drinking water and sewer projects. The Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 (H.R. 4849) that passed in the House, 246 - 178 on March 24, has a provision which allows states to issue private activity bonds for water projects without counting the value of those bonds toward state caps.
New Congressional Inquiries On Hydraulic Fracturing
Congressional concern about "fracing" took another step forward when the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to eight companies asking for details on the chemicals they use during horizontal drilling of shale gas deposits. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the committee, implied in a memorandum to committee members that the "Big Three" of fracing may have violated a voluntary memorandum of agreement they signed with the EPA in 2005.
Underground Market Faces Tier 4 Equipment Adjustments In 2011
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interim Tier 4 emission standards for off-road equipment powered by diesel engines of 175 to less than 750 horsepower will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. From that date through Tier 4’s final implementation in 2014, the equipment marketplace will begin to change for equipment manufacturers and dealers and their customers.
EVA Construction Rules In Effect; More Sewer/Water Stimulus Funds Coming?
The biggest issue for the underground construction industry in 2010 is not whether Congress and the Obama administration will unveil a second round of infrastructure spending, but whether that second helping of funds for sewers and drinking water systems will find its way into financial bloodstreams faster than the first injection did.
February Newsline: EPA, MSD water talks continue; White House Jobs Summit pushes water division project and more
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=2#epa">EPA, MSD continue talks over water violations</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=2#white">White House Jobs Summit inspires new push for water diversion project</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=3#storm">EPA releases guidance to better manage stormwater</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=4#qwest">Qwest, Level 3 telecoms spends less</a>; <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/february-newsline-epa-msd-water-talks-continue-white-house-jobs-summit-pushes-water-division-project?page=5#report">Report says wireless,telecom in transition</a> and more
January WaterWorks News: California supply, Pennsylvania American acquisitions, Australian water outlook and more
<strong>Work begins on California water supply pipeline </strong> California American Water has begun work on a pipeline in Del Rey Oaks that will help to address water supply issues on the Monterey Peninsula.
WSSC, U.S. EPA Celebrate Start of D.C. Area Sewer Rehab Project
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) kicked off a landmark rehabilitation project Jan. 7, marking the first time WSSC has been awarded federal funding for a reconstruction project through the Maryland Department of the Environment.
January Newsline: EPA Cracks Down on Violations; Cat Invests in India; Stimulus Projects At Work
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work#EPA">EPA cites 14 municipalities for stormwater violations</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work#wind">Wind farm brings power to California</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work?page=2#tarlton">Tarlton completes historic engineering feat</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/january-newsline-epa-cracks-down-violations-cat-invests-india-stimulus-projects-work?page=3#cat">Caterpillar to invest in India</a>
EPA Stimulus Sewer/Water Infrastructure Funds Flow Slowly
Members of Congress are raising concerns about the prospective failure of cities and counties to spend appropriated stimulus funds for wastewater and drinking water projects, a concern top Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials say is justified.
Natural Gas Price & Supply Concerns Bedevil Climate Change Bill
A Senate climate change bill passed in early November by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will probably be pushed aside by a version more acceptable to Republicans and moderate Democrats.
December Newsline: Climate change costs, U.S. export performance and more
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#report">Report estimates climate change adaptation costs, impacts to utilities</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more?page=2#december-newsline-climate-change-costs-us-export-performance-and-more#birm">Birmingham mayor found guilty</a>
EPA GHG Emission Requirements Could Affect Interstate Pipelines
Pipelines dodged one Environmental Protection Agency greenhouse gas (GHG) bullet temporarily but may get hit by another.
Construction of Gas Pipeline Relied Heavily on HDD to Minimize Environmental Impacts
The recently completed Line 108 Replacement Project featured the use of HDD for portions of the pipeline installation beneath two rivers and two extremely sensitive natural areas.
New York Times notes sewer overflow issues
In the underground construction industry, the fact that American sewers are overtaxed and given to overflows that endanger public health is no secret. But raising public awareness is a problem, and we're happy to see items in the general interest press like Sunday's New York Times article focusing on the issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/us/23sewer.html?_r=2&hp (free registration many be required).
Geothermal Growth Offers New Options For Underground Contractors
A good case can be made that using the earth's natural energy storing capabilities is the most cost efficient and environmentally friendly way to heat and cool homes, businesses and institutional buildings.
Thompson Pump Unveils Eco-Friendly Dry-Prime Pump
Thompson Pump’s new heavy duty 4-inch eco-friendly dry-priming electric driven pump, model 4JSVC, was unveiled at the 2009 WEFTEC tradeshow in October.
JEA Takes Lead In Proactive Sewer, Water Maintenance
Most major American cities today face multiple challenges to provide basic water and sanitary services.
EPA Takes New Steps To Improve Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made available comprehensive reports and data on water enforcement in all 50 states.
Alternative Fuel Choices Limited For Construction Equipment
Alternative fuels, including petroleum based diesel and gasoline with additives, are perceived by many to be a key element in reducing world dependency on oil.
August Newsline: Senate panel cuts EPA budget, update on sewer debt crisis
<a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/august-newsline-senate-panel-cuts-epa-budget-update-sewer-debt-crisis#senate">Senate panel cuts EPA budget</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/august-newsline-senate-panel-cuts-epa-budget-update-sewer-debt-crisis?page=2#oversight">Oversight panel sought to end sewer debt crisis</a> <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/august-newsline-senate-panel-cuts-epa-budget-update-sewer-debt-crisis?page=3#epa">EPA admonishes Ohio to fix sewer overflows</a>
John Deere Executive Testifies on Green Transportation
Domenic Ruccolo of John Deere recently testified before the U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming on the benefits of efficient construction equipment.
EPA awards stimulus funds for water infrastructure projects in Washington
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over $41 million to the Washington State Department of Health.
EPA Announces $179 Million in Recovery Act Funds for Wastewater Infrastructure Projects in Texas
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded over $179 million to the Texas Water Development Board in a bid to provide jobs, improve the local environment and update aging infrastructure.
First step
I’ve been hearing some encouraging housing news. Economic experts are reporting that the devastating housing meltdown the country has been experiencing for some time has just about reached its economic bottom, or is in the process of bottoming out.
Great Lakes Compact receives highest score in recent report
Watermark Initiative LLC has released a new report titled “U.S. Water Stewardship: A Critical Assessment of Interstate Watershed Agreements.”
NY awarded largest EPA grant in history
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $430 million to New York state for wastewater infrastructure projects, which the EPA says is the single largest grant in its history.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
- Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish