Legal
Michigan, Enbridge clash over Line 5 pipeline jurisdiction before U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a key jurisdictional dispute between Michigan and Enbridge over the future of the Line 5 pipeline, a case that could shape state authority over major energy infrastructure and determine where the shutdown fight moves forward.
Wisconsin judge upholds state permits for Enbridge’s 41-mile Line 5 relocation
A Wisconsin administrative law judge upheld DNR wetland, waterway and water quality permits for Enbridge’s 41-mile Line 5 relocation in northern Wisconsin, clearing a key hurdle for the large-scale underground pipeline project.
SCWA sues Riverhead over $35 million North Fork water pipeline project
The Suffolk County Water Authority has filed suit against Riverhead over zoning authority tied to its North Fork Water Main Project, a 12-mile pipeline aimed at improving regional water reliability.
Pipeline construction damage claims targeted in new Iowa landowner protection bill
An Iowa House bill would expand landowner rights to seek compensation for crop loss, soil damage and other impacts from pipeline construction, allowing renegotiation of claims and new complaint pathways through regulators and courts.
Saskatchewan excavation firm pleads guilty in trench collapse case
A Saskatchewan excavation contractor pleaded guilty to occupational health and safety violations after a trench collapse seriously injured a worker near North Battleford.
Charleston Water settles West Ashley sewer overflow case
Charleston Water System has agreed to accelerated sewer repairs, public overflow alerts and homeowner assistance as part of a settlement addressing sanitary sewer overflows in West Ashley.
Judge extends deadline in federal funding battle over Gateway tunnel construction
A federal judge has given the U.S. government more time to release billions in funding for the Hudson River Gateway tunnel project, as officials warn construction could halt and jobs be lost if financing for the critical interstate rail tunnel remains frozen.
N.Y. lawmakers propose pipeline mapping rules for leak-prone gas lines
New York lawmakers have introduced legislation that would require gas utilities to map and disclose planned work on leak-prone pipelines, potentially reshaping how aging distribution systems are regulated.
Gateway sues federal government as Hudson Tunnel funding freeze threatens construction halt
The Gateway Development Commission has filed suit against the federal government, warning that withheld funding could force a halt to construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project — putting thousands of jobs and one of North America’s largest active tunneling programs at risk.
Appeals court blocks California’s bond plan for Delta water tunnel
A California appeals court ruled the state lacks authority to issue bonds for the Delta Conveyance Project, forcing officials to reconsider how the water tunnel will be financed.
Pennsylvania DEP rejects $53 million Connoquenessing Township sewer plan
Pennsylvania DEP has rejected Connoquenessing Township’s $53 million Act 537 sewage facilities plan, citing technical deficiencies, affordability concerns, and regulatory compliance issues.
Enbridge to pay $2.8 million over Line 3 aquifer breach in Minnesota
Enbridge has agreed to a $2.8 million settlement with Minnesota regulators after construction of the Line 3 pipeline pierced a groundwater aquifer, causing ongoing groundwater flow near Aitkin County. The agreement includes penalties, monitoring, and funding for environmental restoration work as agencies continue managing impacts on surrounding wetlands.
Judge clears distribution of $626 million Flint water crisis settlement funds
A federal judge has approved the distribution of the $626-million Flint water crisis settlement, clearing the way for payments to more than 26,000 claimants more than a decade after the crisis began. While the ruling marks a major milestone, some residents remain cautious as the first payouts get underway.
N.J. contractor seeks to pause bidding on Gateway Tunnel viaduct contract
A major New Jersey contractor is asking a federal judge to halt bidding on a key Gateway Tunnel viaduct contract, arguing that the project’s labor agreement unfairly blocks its participation. The challenge adds another layer of uncertainty to the $16 billion rail program as federal reviews and funding delays continue.
Alberta excavating firm fined $100,000 after trench collapse injures worker
HCL Site Services Ltd. of Vegreville, Alberta, was fined $100,000 after pleading guilty to an Occupational Health and Safety violation following a 2022 trench collapse that seriously injured a worker on a sewer line project in Viking.
Nevada congresswoman questions dropped fines for Boring Co. after firefighter injuries in Las Vegas
Rep. Dina Titus has asked Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to explain why his administration dropped a $425,000 fine against The Boring Co. after firefighters were injured during a Las Vegas tunnel training incident.
Court rejects Green River pipeline plan to move Utah water to Colorado
The Utah Supreme Court has unanimously rejected a plan to export 55,000 acre-feet of Green River water to Colorado, ruling that the developer failed to prove the water could be put to beneficial use outside Utah.
Iowa counties petition U.S. Supreme Court over pipeline safety authority
Story and Shelby counties in Iowa have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review their case challenging federal preemption of local pipeline safety ordinances — the latest development in a multiyear legal dispute involving Summit Carbon Solutions and its planned carbon sequestration pipeline across the state.
Thornton restarts construction on disputed 70-mile northern Colo. water pipeline
Thornton, Colorado has resumed construction on its 70-mile water pipeline after years of legal disputes. The project, among the state’s largest infrastructure efforts, will connect Poudre River water rights to a new treatment facility and is slated for completion in 2028.
Inspectors charged with faking gas pipeline safety tests in New York
Two inspectors have been charged with wire fraud for allegedly faking hundreds of gas pipeline safety tests in New York City and Westchester County. Prosecutors say the fraudulent inspections put public safety at risk.
Toronto landscaper pleads guilty in striking Enbridge gas pipeline
Ontario-based Orin Landscaping Inc. has pleaded guilty to striking and damaging a natural gas pipeline operated by Enbridge. This marks the second guilty plea this year for pipeline strikes in Ontario. The company was found guilty of an offence under Ontario Regulation 210/01 of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000.
Louisiana contractor loses license over repeated water main failures, boil advisories
Louisiana regulators revoked the license of JLJ Construction, a longtime New Orleans contractor, after linking the firm to repeated water main failures and boil advisories costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
For underground infrastructure professionals, the case highlights the legal boundaries of disclosure related to buried utilities.
Texas House approves bill to strengthen state's water infrastructure
The Texas House gave initial approval to Senate Bill 7 on Monday, May 26, which if passed, would add $1 billion per year to the Texas Water Fund. Texas Governor Greg Abbott named the bill one of his seven emergency items for the legislative session, citing drought concerns in the state.
Control of Alabama’s largest water utility shifts from Birmingham under new law
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law shifting control of the Birmingham Water Works Board away from the city, sparking a federal lawsuit over alleged racial discrimination and raising concerns over local governance.
Work paused on NYC’s massive tunnel repair as drought triggers contract overhaul
The $2 billion effort to fix a leak in New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct, which supplies water to millions, is now expected to finish after 2027 due to drought-related delays and contract revisions.
$51 million settlement adds to delays on Hartford, Conn., 41-million-gallon sewer tunnel
Hartford, Connecticut’s massive South Hartford Conveyance and Storage Tunnel project is now expected to cost $335 million and won’t be completed until 2026 after a legal dispute over groundwater conditions delayed progress.
EPA faces key decision on future of national PFAS drinking water limits
The EPA is expected to decide soon whether to uphold strict PFAS drinking water limits challenged by utilities, with millions of Americans' water protections hanging in the balance.
Judge rules U.S. government owes nearly $28 million to North Dakota for pipeline protests
A federal judge awarded North Dakota nearly $28 million from the U.S. government to cover costs tied to the Dakota Access pipeline protests, citing federal negligence during the 2016-2017 demonstrations.
BGE refutes claims of pipeline safety risks tied to falsified contractor audit
BGE has rejected claims by the Maryland PSC that its gas pipeline safety was compromised due to a former employee’s falsified inspection. The company insists no systemwide risks exist and defends its disciplinary handling of the matter.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility