Newsline
U.S. Department of Energy Awards $25 Million to Improve Natural Gas Operations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 16 projects to receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for cost-shared projects to advance natural gas infrastructure technology development.
FERC Approves Chesapeake Utilities Pipeline Expansion
Chesapeake Utilities has announced that FERC has issued an order approving the Company's proposed Del-Mar Energy pipeline project.
New for UCT 2020: Hands-On Assessment Zone Highlights Modern Methods, Technologies
Another unique, interactive education and demonstration zone has been added to the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition scheduled Jan. 28 -30, 2020, at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas.
John Deere Upgrades Small-Frame G-Series Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders
John Deere has upgraded its lineup of five small-frame G-Series skid steers and compact track loaders.
Ohio Power Siting Board Approves Natural Gas Pipeline Route
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved a route for Duke Energy’s Central Corridor natural gas pipeline.
Lane Wins First Washington Contract with $255 Million Seattle Project
Lane Construction said it won its first contract in the state of Washington—construction of a water storage tunnel to reduce polluted overflows into Seattle’s Lake Washington Ship Canal.
Colorado Company Fined for Fatal Trench Collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined an excavation company for the deaths of two Colorado workers in a collapsed trench.
Volunteers Canvass Newark in Service Line Replacement Push
Volunteers have been going door-to-door in Newark, N.J., to help sign up thousands of residents to have their corroding lead service lines replaced.
Body Found Near Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authorities are investigating the discovery of a body near a Massachusetts community’s wastewater treatment plant.
Toro Sells MTI Equipment Business Acquired in CMW Acquisition
Making good on a promise to streamline its product and services portfolio after acquiring Charles Machine Works, The Toro Company has shed CMW's pre-owned construction equipment business by selling MTI Equipment back to its founders.
Discussions Continue on Potential Combining of NACE International and SSPC
Leadership from both NACE International and SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings continue to discuss a potential combining of the two industry organizations.
USDA Investing in Coastal Maine Sewer Improvements
The USDA is investing nearly $1 million in sewer improvements for a coastal town in Maine.
CASE CE Awards 2019 Diamond, Gold Dealers
CASE Construction Equipment named its 2019 “Diamond Dealer” and “Gold Dealer” award recipients as part of its North American Partnership Program, which encourages dealers to provide the ultimate ownership experience to customers and increases dealer performance per the results of a dealer assessment.
Michels Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Michels Corporation is honoring the people, projects and values that have helped the company grow from a regional gas distribution contractor into one of the largest utility and transportation contractors in North America.
Australian Fiber-Optics to Bring High-Speed Internet to East Timor
Australia has agreed to provide the fledgling democracy of East Timor with naval infrastructure and an undersea internet link with the world, responding to China’s increasing influence in the region.
Caterpillar’s ‘Dream Dozer’ Campaign Generates Interest, Leads for D6 XE
In conjunction with introducing its D6 XE electric drive dozer, Caterpillar, a leading manufacturer of heavy equipment for the construction and mining industry, launched the Dream Dozer campaign. Using KBMax’s product configurator, this interactive design game allows users to create their own “dream” version of the D6XE.
Sewage Dumping Caused No Contamination at South Dakota Airport
State regulators say Rapid City Regional Airport did not cause contamination when it dumped about 74,000 gallons of sewage on its property without a permit.
Xylem Earns Change the World Honor
Global water technology company, Xylem, was included on Fortune’s 2019 “Change the World” list, for a second, consecutive year.
APA Group Completes Gas Pipeline, Brisbane River Crossing
APA Group said it has completed the installation of a gas pipeline in Australia that included a 300-foot (905-meter) crossing under the Brisbane River.
Michigan Offers Grants for Rural Industry, Infrastructure
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering grants supporting land-based industries and infrastructure that benefit rural communities.
Rising Demand for Sewer Inspection Drives Growing Crawler Camera Sales
A new market report projects worldwide demand for crawler cameras used in sewer inspections will continue to grow at a brisk pace, describing them as the “future of pipeline inspection systems” due to their efficiency, accuracy and low cost.
Water Restored at Grand Canyon after Pipeline Break
Officials at the Grand Canyon lifted water restrictions last month after fixing a pipeline break in a section north of Phantom Ranch.
U.S. Construction Spending Rose a Slight 0.1%
U.S. construction spending ticked up just 0.1% in July, aided by government spending on schools, sewers and the water supply.
Aqua Pennsylvania Acquires Delaware County Wastewater Assets
The municipal water authority for Delaware County, Penn., has agreed to sell its wastewater assets to a subsidiary of publicly traded water utility Aqua America for $276.5 million, the company said.
Quanta Acquires Hallen Construction, 2 Specialty Contractors
Quanta Services said it has completed the acquisition of Plainview, N.Y.-based Hallen Construction, a large gas utility contractor serving key markets in the U.S. Northeast, along with two Southeast specialty contractors for $330 million in cash and stock.
Queens, New York Breaks Ground on $139 Million Upgrade Project
A New York neighborhood has broken ground on a $139 million renovation across 25 blocks which will include, among other things, several miles of sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.
August Construction Starts Decrease 6 Percent
New construction starts dropped 6% over the month in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $807.1 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.
euNetworks Adds New High Density Fiber Networks in Milan and Madrid
euNetworks Group Limited (“euNetworks”), a Western European bandwidth infrastructure company, has announced that it has undertaken further network investment in Europe, building duct based, high fiber count networks in the cities of Milan and Madrid.
In Memoriam: Davis Yates
Longtime underground construction and trenchless industry professional Davis Yates passed away July 2 at the age of 51.
In Memoriam: Jim Barbera
Jim Barbera, of East Canton, Ohio, passed away at age 79, on July 8.

- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- 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