Regulatory
EPA blocked from appealing key ruling as Flint residents pursue water claims
A judge blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from appealing a key ruling in a long-running lawsuit claiming negligence by the federal government in Flint’s lead-contaminated water in 2014-15.
FERC Rate Change Posting Proposal Controversial
Responding to a June 2021 petition from interstate pipeline customers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed upgraded website posting requirements when pipelines file for a Section 4 rate change.
Oil company settles criminal cases in California pipeline spill
An oil company pleaded guilty in federal court to negligently discharging crude off the Southern California coast when its underwater pipeline ruptured last year, a spill that closed miles of shoreline and shuttered fisheries.
Water company fined for violating drinking water regulations at Oxford treatment plant
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $13,500 penalty to the Aquarion Water Company for violating drinking water regulations at its Oxford water treatment plant after a customer notified MassDEP of "slippery" water while showering, resulting in a skin rash.
Activists contest Clean Water Act permit, argue dredged material will damage wetlands
(UC) — Environmental groups and fishermen told a federal appeals court on Wednesday that the approval of the US Army Corps of Engineers' Clean Water Act permit for the Rio Grande LNG project would cause sustained damage to wetlands in southern Texas, Reuters reported.
HammerHead engineer appointed as US rep to International Organization for Standardization
After more than a two-year absence, the United States once again has a vote in pipe rehabilitation standards established by the International Organization for Standardization.
Oil spill settlement for undisclosed amount reached with California businesses
A pipeline operator said that it has reached a settlement with Southern California tourism companies, fishermen and other businesses that sued after a crude oil spill off the coast last year near Huntington Beach.
New Mexico oilfield regulators reach $1.8 million settlement with company
State oil and gas regulators say they have reached a financial settlement with XTO Permian Operating to resolve violation notices at wastewater injection sites in southeastern New Mexico.
Judge rules to keep Michigan-Enbridge pipeline dispute in federal court
A federal judge Thursday kept jurisdiction over a lawsuit seeking to close an oil pipeline crossing a section of the Great Lakes, rejecting Michigan's effort to shift the case to state court.
FCC rejects SpaceX’s Starlink, LTD bid for $2 billion in broadband subsidies
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rejected SpaceX's Starlink and LTD Broadband's long-form applications for more than $2 billion in internet service subsidies via the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program, the Commission said on Wednesday.
Audit: California too slow to repair infrastructure of contaminated water systems
The water that comes out of the tap for more than 900,000 Californians is unsafe to drink and the state isn’t acting fast enough to help clean it up, state auditors said in a report.
Defense seeks sanctions against prosecutors in Flint water case
Lawyers for Michigan’s former health director asked a judge Monday to sanction prosecutors who are trying to instantly turn invalid indictments into a fresh round of charges in the Flint water scandal.
Textile maker to close Georgia plant employing 260 after former owner illegally dumped wastewater
The plant on the Ogeechee River had a different owner, King America Finishing, in 2011 when more than 30,000 fish died near the facility and further downstream. Regulators never directly tied the plant to the fish kill, but discovered King America had been illegally dumping treated wastewater into the river for years.
Staggering rise in trenching deaths spurs Department of Labor to enhance enforcement, oversight
In 2022’s first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.
Washington seafood processor fined $92K for water quality violations
The company released wastewater containing fecal coliform, grease, oils, and other solids above the amounts allowed in its permit, officials said. The company also didn’t monitor several wastewater discharges as required by the permit.
Environmental Groups Attempt to Slow LNG Exports to Europe
Despite President Biden’s commitment to get more U.S. liquid natural gas to Europe, environmental groups are trying to convince FERC to slow or kill export LNG facilities and pipelines that serve them on mostly environmental grounds.
Glick Renomination, Policy Statements Generate Controversies
Some key decisions about federal pipeline regulation are coming to a head as the comment period for FERC’s two draft policy statements closed and the Senate decides whether to renew Richard Glick’s chairmanship at FERC.
NC judge signs off nearly $5 million penalty for Colonial pipeline gasoline spill
A North Carolina judge has signed off on a previously announced agreement between state environmental regulators and Colonial Pipeline for a 2020 gasoline spill in a nature reserve that turned out to be larger than the company initially described.
Editor's Log: Another Fine Mess
As I was thinking about composing my July column and reflecting upon the state of the underground infrastructure markets, the first thought springing out of my subconscious was “Well! Here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten us into Joe, et al.”
Prosecutors hope to keep charges alive in Flint water crisis
Prosecutors signaled that they would pursue the same charges against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and eight others in the Flint water crisis, just a few days after the state Supreme Court said indictments must be dismissed.
Court kills Flint water charges against ex-governor, others
The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday threw out charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and others in the Flint water scandal, saying a judge sitting as a one-person grand jury had no power to issue indictments under rarely used state laws.
Court rejects Mountain Valley Pipeline’s request for new panel of judges
A federal appeals court has denied a request from a company building a natural gas pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia to have a new panel of judges reconsider permits that have been struck down repeatedly.
Oregon hikes Port of Morrow water pollution fine to $2.1 million
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has increased the Port of Morrow’s groundwater contamination fine to $2.1 million following additional wastewater violations.
Louisiana congressmen seek more time to use Orleans Katrina infrastructure aid
Members of Congress from Louisiana are calling for federal officials to extend deadlines for spending Hurricane Katrina recovery funds on New Orleans road and water infrastructure projects.
New Mexico reaches $32 million settlement over 2015 mine wastewater spill
The spill released 3 million gallons and water utilities were forced to scramble and shut down intake valves while farmers stopped drawing from the rivers as the contaminants moved downstream.
PHMSA Finalizes New Remote Valve Requirements
After more than a decade of considering whether pipelines should install automatic shut-off valves, PHMSA issued a final rule, although it fell short of what the National Transportation Safety Board wanted to see.
North Dakota extends deadline for gas pipeline proposals
A panel that regulates North Dakota’s energy industry voted to extend the deadline for proposals to build a natural gas pipeline from western North Dakota’s oil patch to the eastern part of the state.
Russia Concerns Loom Over FERC and EPA Anti-Pipeline Efforts
Pipeline companies had already been pressing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hard, prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to rethink its two new policy statements on greenhouse gas emissions and pipeline certificates.
Regulatory, construction cost concerns lead ND company to scrub trans-state gas pipeline plans
WBI Energy said the project is not viable due to regulatory uncertainty, limited in-state demand and rising construction, labor and land-acquisition costs. The company said materials and construction costs have risen up to 50% in nine months.
Senate committee to unveil water infrastructure bill to protect coasts, reduce flooding
Senate EPW Chair Tom Carper will release a version of the Water Resources Development Act that will include language to revamp the way the Corps addresses climate change and equity for disadvantaged, rural and tribal communities
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects