Regulatory
Biden launches $6B effort to save distressed nuclear plants
The Biden administration is launching a $6 billion effort to rescue nuclear power plants at risk of closing, citing the need to continue nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of power that helps to combat climate change.
Biden restores rigorous environmental review of big infrastructure projects
The Biden administration is restoring federal regulations that require rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells — including likely impacts on climate change and nearby communities.
Mountain Valley Pipeline wins federal approval for stream boring
Following a string of roadblocks, federal regulators have approved Mountain Valley Pipeline’s request to bore under about 180 streams and wetlands it must cross to complete the natural gas pipeline, according to the Roanoke Times (Va.).
Lawmakers make efforts to protect critical infrastructure in water, utilities sectors
Lawmakers are taking steps to prevent a repeat of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, by designing legislation to protect critical infrastructure in the water, utilities and pipeline sectors.
Associations strongly oppose executive order involving project labor agreements
The APCA and PCCA show strong opposition to President Biden's executive order to mandate project labor agreements for federal construction projects.
Biden Signs Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
President Joe Biden signs the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law on Nov. 15.
Infrastructure Victory Creates New Challenges for Biden
President Biden faces new challenges after his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill cleared Congress.
California's PUC OKs Boosting Storage at Infamous Gas Field
Regulators in California have voted to increase the capacity of an underground gas storage field in the Los Angeles area that previously leaked methane.
White House Eyes New Climate Change Strategies in Biden Bill
The White House is close to completing a package of clean energy strategies for the president's domestic policy bill.
Maine’s Governor Backs Federal Plan to Tackle PFAS Contamination
Maine's governor supports the federal plan to improve issues with PFAS.
Debra Shore Set to Lead EPA Midwestern Office
President Biden appointed Debra Shore to lead the EPA's Midwestern office.
White House Restoring Environmental Reviews for Big Projects
New federal regulations are reversing Trump-era environmental policy impacting major infrastructure.
Ohio Senator Visits Advanced Drainage Systems to Discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment
U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), a lead Republican negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure legislation that recently passed the U.S. Senate, met with leadership and employees at Advanced Drainage System, Inc. (ADS) and discussed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act. Following the..
$1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Heads for Senate Debate
Lawmakers send a $1 trillion bipartisan bill to the Senate for final votes.
Democrats Lay Out Speculative Marker for Water Infrastructure
Speculation rises as the push for infrastructure bills has little support from Republican members of the House.
Indiana Lawmakers Seek to Amend Bill Impacting Waterways
Lawmakers in Indiana want to change a bill the protects the state's waterways.
Regulators Fined Gas Utility $900K for Pipeline Violations
Regulators in Indiana fined CenterPoint for pipeline violations.
States Sue to Undo Biden Pause on US Oil & Gas Lease Sales
Several states sue to undo Biden's pause on oil ad gas lease sales.
Biden Addresses Climate Crisis by Pausing Oil and Gas Leasing
President Joe Biden signed executive orders to reduce fossil fuels and by doing so, paused oil and gas leasing on federal land.
Keystone XL Termination Causes Widespread Job Loss
President Joe Biden halted the Keystone XL pipeline which led to widespread job loss.
AP Sources: Biden to Pause Oil and Gas Leasing on Public Lands
Sources say President Joe Biden will announce a moratorium on new gas and oil leasing on public lands.
Biden Names Democrats to Lead Energy Agencies
President Joe Biden has named two Democrats to lead regulatory agencies for energy infrastructure.
Official WRDA Package Does Not Include Clean Water Infrastructure Investment
The Water Resources and Development Act failed to include the Clean Water Infrastructure Investment.
AWWA Releases Second Edition of Polyethylene Pipe Manual
The American Water Works Association has released the newest edition of M55, PE Pipe – Design and Installation manual.
EPA Eliminates Methane Emission Restrictions for Pipelines
The new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule, freeing interstate pipelines from Obama-era rules that set volatile organic chemical (VOC) and methane emission restrictions, is headed for a federal court date.
Army Corps Proposes New Pipeline Permit
The Army Corps of Engineers is moving to make changes in its Nationwide Permit 12, which allows pipelines whose construction poses minimal impact on wetlands to enter a simple, quick regulatory permit approval process.
Federal Court Disallows FERC Rehearing Policy
A federal court tossed out a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) policy to extend rehearing periods so it could spend more time examining primarily landowner or environmental groups’ complaints about FERC’s approval of a new construction application.
PHMSA Proposal on Valves Proves Controversial
Flack is hitting the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) from all sides over its proposed rule to require automatic and remote shutoff valves on oil and gas pipelines. The February 2020 proposed rule from PHMSA attempts to implement mandates from both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Congress.
Federal Court Decision Threatens Pipeline Work Around Wetlands
Pipeline construction in and around wetlands faces a major, new legal impediment, given the significant, mid-April decision by a federal district court in Montana.
Court Rejects Bid to Revive Cancelled U.S. Pipeline Program
More than 70 pipeline projects across the U.S. could be affected by a federal appeals court decision to deny a request from the Trump administration to overturn a lower court ruling involving the Keystone XL pipeline which halted a national permitting program.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- Ripple Fiber breaks ground on $140 million project, expanding into central Mass.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- 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