Regulatory
Public support for undergrounding surges as regulators debate long-term plans
A new statewide poll shows nearly 90% of Californians support undergrounding power lines to reduce wildfire risk—just as the CPUC prepares to vote on guidelines that could shape future projects. Utilities warn proposed rules may limit long-term undergrounding efforts even as public demand continues to climb.
Legal challenges fail to stop Montana’s Lakeside sewer expansion project
Montana courts have cleared the way for the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District to move forward with its wastewater expansion after denying two lawsuits seeking to block the project in Flathead County.
Ontario contractor fined $80,000 for unsafe excavation that ruptured gas pipelines
A North York contractor was fined $80,000 after unsafe excavation damaged two gas pipelines, cutting service to dozens of homes. Ontario’s safety authority says the incidents highlight growing risks from improper digging around underground utilities.
Texas voters approve $20 billion investment in water infrastructure upgrades
Texas voters approved a $20 billion water infrastructure plan to repair aging pipes, upgrade treatment facilities, and secure long-term water supplies across the state — the largest investment of its kind in Texas history.
Two major Mississippi pipeline projects approved for expedited federal review
Two Southeast natural gas pipeline projects — Mississippi Crossing and South System Expansion 4 — have been added to the federal FAST-41 program, expediting review for nearly 500 miles of new and upgraded underground infrastructure across Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.
NESE pipeline project up for fourth review after repeated denials over NY water quality concerns
The Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) gas pipeline is back for a fourth attempt at state approval after repeated denials over water quality risks. The 17.4-mile underwater route through New York Harbor faces strong opposition from environmental groups and Staten Island officials as regulators weigh permits under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration.
PHMSA proposes broad pipeline safety rule changes to reduce costs, allow new technology
The changes aim to reduce costs, streamline permitting, and allow expanded use of drones and satellite patrols. Industry groups support the direction, while environmental advocates raise concerns about reduced oversight.
U.S. Army Corps approves Enbridge's $500 million Line 5 Tunnel project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted federal approval for Enbridge’s Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel, a $500 million project to encase the existing oil pipeline beneath Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac in a concrete tunnel. The permit marks a major milestone for the Canadian energy company’s plan to reinforce one of the region’s most scrutinized pipeline systems.
Senate panel backs bipartisan bill to boost pipeline safety and leak detection
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee has advanced a bipartisan bill from Sen. Gary Peters to boost PHMSA funding, expand leak detection research, and strengthen cybersecurity protections for U.S. pipelines.
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.
New data show gains in California’s groundwater recovery and resilience
California’s Department of Water Resources reports stable groundwater levels and fewer dry wells statewide as part of its 2025 groundwater progress updates marking 10 years of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
New York approves buried power line for Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor facility
New York has approved a two-mile underground transmission line to connect National Grid’s Clay substation with Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor megafab in Onondaga County — a key step toward powering the largest private investment in state history.
Pennsylvania DEP approves Transco permits for Chester, Lancaster pipeline projects
The Pennsylvania DEP has approved permits for Transco’s Northeast Supply Enhancement Quarryville Pipeline Loop and compressor station projects in Chester and Lancaster counties.
FERC removes rule delaying pipeline construction during rehearing requests
The decision, supported by major midstream operators, is expected to streamline natural gas project timelines and remove up to 150 days of potential delay under prior procedures.
FERC finds MVP Southgate expansion may be redundant, no significant environmental impact
FERC’s environmental assessment of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Amendment Project finds no significant environmental harm but questions the need for the 31-mile Virginia-to-North Carolina expansion, citing overlap with Williams’ proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.
Judge weighs permit challenge to Enbridge’s $450 million Line 5 reroute
An administrative law judge is reviewing challenges to state permits for Enbridge’s $450 million Line 5 pipeline reroute, a 41-mile project designed to move the line around the Bad River tribe’s reservation in northern Wisconsin.
Court backs FERC, denies challenge to Puerto Rico gas pipeline
The D.C. Circuit has denied environmental groups’ challenge to a Puerto Rico pipeline, ruling FERC’s decision not to block construction reflected unreviewable enforcement discretion.
U.S. DOJ defends Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline in Michigan dispute
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a statement of interest backing Enbridge in its fight with Michigan over the Line 5 pipeline, arguing the state overstepped federal pipeline safety authority and interfered with U.S.–Canada treaty obligations.
New York regulators revive controversial pipeline debate
New York regulators reignited debate over the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) pipeline, with the PSC backing National Grid’s long-term gas plan to improve downstate reliability. Environmental groups warn the project conflicts with state climate goals, while final approval now rests with the DEC.
Michigan House budget plan could stall permits, slash sewer and water projects
Michigan’s environmental agency warns the House GOP budget could slash water infrastructure funding, stall permits, and end Great Lakes protection programs.
Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) says federal trade tariffs and ongoing market uncertainty have added more than $33 million to the cost of a critical sewer infrastructure project at the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Transco, MVP clash over competing pipeline projects in North Carolina
Transco and Mountain Valley Pipeline are in a heated contest for North Carolina’s gas market, with FERC weighing overlapping projects.
Northern Michigan lawmakers back Enbridge Line 5 tunnel project
Northern Michigan lawmakers have renewed support for Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel project, calling it vital to jobs, energy supply, and Great Lakes protection, while urging regulators to fast-track approval.
Trump PHMSA aims to ease pipeline safety rules
The Trump administration has started down a path, which could be a slow one given the agency’s past performance, to ease the burden of safety rules on the gas pipeline industry.
450-mile, 42-in. Permian-to-Gulf gas pipeline approved for 2028 service
Final investment decision clears a 450-mile, 42-in. Permian-to-Gulf gas line to the Katy area; WhiteWater will construct and operate, with service targeted for mid-2028.
State greenlights key step for North Dakota natural gas pipeline
The North Dakota Industrial Commission has directed the Pipeline Authority to begin contract talks with WBI Energy Transmission to secure capacity for a new natural gas pipeline.
California advances major sewer project to protect Yucca Valley’s groundwater
Yucca Valley, Calif., will move forward with a major groundwater protection project after the California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a permit allowing septic tanks to be replaced with a new sewer system.
EPA orders Puerto Rico developers to halt water pollution at Rincón housing site
EPA has ordered two Puerto Rico construction companies to stop stormwater pollution at a Rincón housing development and comply with Clean Water Act permit requirements.
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.
Court upholds FERC approval of 1,000-foot border link in Texas-to-Mexico pipeline plan
A federal appeals court upheld FERC’s approval of a 1,000-foot border pipeline linking West Texas’s Permian Basin to Mexico, rejecting challenges from environmental groups over broader oversight and environmental review.
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized