Regulatory
Kentucky Utility Fined $395,000 for 2014 Gas Line Rupture
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has fined Louisville Gas and Electric Co. (LG&E) $395,000 for a series of violations that led to the September 2014 rupture of a high-pressure natural gas pipeline in Goshen, Oldham County. The penalty is the largest ever assessed by the PSC in a n..
Hydro One and Avista Reach Settlement in Principle in Washington Merger Case
Hydro One Limited and Avista Corporation today announced they have filed a Notification of a settlement with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), with a settlement agreement between all parties involved to be filed no later than March 27, 2018. The settlement in principle..
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Developers Seek More Time for Tree Clearing
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Developers of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline say they need more time to cut down trees along the project’s route and likely won’t make the initial deadline designed to protect migrating birds and endangered or threatened bats. Dominion Energy made the request to federal r..
Maryland Natural Gas Pipeline Receives Permit
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland issued a permit Friday for a proposed natural gas pipeline in western Maryland that has brought protesters to the state capital. The wetlands and waterways permit for the proposed Columbia Gas pipeline includes customized conditions specific to the project and its loc..
6 Months After Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Pleads for Help
COROZAL, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Maria shredded the electric poles in this plantain farming town high in the mountains of central Puerto Rico, leaving tens of thousands of people without power or running water. Desperate, residents of the town’s Barrio Mana neighborhood asked federal officials ..
Required Training for Water District Boards Revamped in Kentucky
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) today announced newly appointed water district commissioners now will be required to receive training in key areas only through courses offered directly by the commission. According to the PSC, more consistent and rigorous training for new commissioners ..
New York Awards Almost $1 Million in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Funding
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the towns of Greece and Parma in Monroe County received more than $942,000 to restore and rebuild following last year’s Lake Ontario flooding. The funding is being used to reimburse for emergency costs as well as rebuild and fortify the infrastr..
Canadian Regulators OK Pipeline Abandonment Project
Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) has approved TransCanada’s request to abandon a 266-kilometer section of the Peace River Mainline. The NEB attached 22 conditions to its approval. TransCanada initially applied to the NEB on Aug. 18, 2016 to abandon parts of the Peace River Mainline in Northwest..
FERC Reinstates Certificate for the Southeast Market Pipelines
In a split decision, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has reinstated its authorizations issued to Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Sabal Trail Transmission LLC; and Florida Southeast Connection LLC concerning the Southeast Market Pipelines (SMP) Project. Those dissenting ..
New York Launches Investigation Into Utility Storm Restoration Efforts
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state’s Department of Public Service (DPS) has formally notified the chief executives of the state’s major electric utility companies that an investigation into preparedness of and response to two early March Nor’easters is now underway. The..
Ohio EPA Schedules Construction Storm Water General Permit Renewal Hearing
The Ohio EPA will hold a public hearing on March 28, 2018, to accept public comments about renewing the general permit for storm water discharges from construction sites in Ohio. The public hearing will take place in Conference Room A at Ohio EPA’s Central Office, 50 West Town Street, Suite 700, Co..
Rover Pipeline Work Stoppage Ordered in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A company building a 713-mile-long natural gas pipeline has been ordered to halt construction after West Virginia inspectors cited 14 violations. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the offenses include leaving trash and construction debris partially buried on site, imprope..
Timeline Set for Environmental Analysis of Alaska LNG Project
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The federal agency responsible for studying the environmental impact of the Alaska LNG project has released a timeline for completing its review. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced Tuesday that it plans to release a draft of the final Environmental Impact..
Changes to Improve Wetland and Waterway Encroachment Permit Review Times Announced in Pennsylvania
As part of a statewide effort to reduce permit backlogs, Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced revisions to the instructions and forms for Chapter 105 General Permit Registrations relating to water obstructions and encroachments. These revisions will improve the..
Shuler Named PLCA's President of Associate Members
The Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) today announced it has named Jared Shuler President of Associate Members. A PLCA member for the last nine years, Shuler, who previously served as the association’s senior vice president of pipeline contract services, will serve in his new role for a term..
API NY: Valley Lateral Pipeline Critical To New York’s Consumers, Workers
The New York branch of the American Petroleum Institute (API New York) today issued a statement applauding the federal district court decision to reject attempts by New York state regulators to block Millennium Pipeline’s Valley Lateral Project – a natural gas pipeline project in Orange County that ..
API: New Source Review Memorandum Offers Needed Infrastructure Permitting Clarity
The American Petroleum Institute (API) today released a statement praising the release of EPA’s memorandum on existing New Source Review (NSR) regulations. “EPA’s practical clarification to the language in the NSR regulations is a positive step that will help reduce uncertainty in the permitting pr..
North Carolina Republicans Want Pipeline Deal Probed
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans continue to attack Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper over a $58 million agreement his office reached with utilities poised to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Now, the GOP hopes their criticism will get the attention of federal prosecutors. State Republica..
New York Loses Appeal to Block Millennium Natgas Pipeline
(Reuters) – A federal appeals court on Monday denied New York State’s petition to review orders from federal energy regulators that authorized Millennium Pipeline Co to build a natural gas line to a power plant in Orange County, New York. “We certainly disagree with the decision, and are reviewing ..
Trace of Mothballs Chemical Found in New York Agencies’ Water
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – State employees working in the Albany office building that’s the tallest in upstate New York are drinking bottled water after a chemical used in mothballs was detected in water samples. The Office of General Services says trace amounts of naphthalene were found in samples taken ..
FERC to Review Pipeline Policy Statement
New Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Kevin McIntyre’s announcement that the commission will review its 1999 pipeline policy statement comes in the wake of pressure from the Trump Administration to ease permitting of various infrastructure projects. President Trump issued an Aug. ..
ACEC Recognizes Contractor for Work on New York Natural Gas Pipeline
Ecology and Environment Engineering, P.C. (E & E) has been awarded the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) Platinum Engineering Excellence Award in the Environmental category. The prestigious award recognizes E & E’s pioneering work on Williams Gas Pipelines’ Rockaw..
Parts of National Forest Closed for Mountain Valley Construction
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says it is closing parts of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia and West Virginia through which the Mountain Valley Pipeline will run. The Roanoke Times reports the closure order “was enacted to protect public safety due to hazards associated with c..
Great Lakes Cities Work to Reduce Water Utility Emissions
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Several communities around the Great Lakes are competing to reduce pollution by controlling the electricity they consume from the power grid. Bayfield, Wisconsin, is one of five cities working to lower mercury and other emissions through the Water Utility Energy Challenge, Wisc..
Sewer, Water Projects in Southwestern Alabama to Receive Funding
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — A $315 million from the RESTORE Act and the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council will help fund projects in southwestern areas of the state. Fifty projects will be given funding for infrastructure, environmental restoration and economic development, Al.com reported. The biggest i..
More Flint Water Samples Show Elevated Lead Levels
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Recent water tests at elementary schools in Flint have found an increase in samples showing lead levels above the federal action limit. The Flint Journal reports the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality determined that 28 samples tested in February were above 15 parts pe..
Toxic Chemicals Found in Drinking Water near Detroit
DETROIT (AP) — Drinking water in three southeastern communities tested positive for contamination, according to state environmental officials. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality found perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in water in New Baltimore, Mount Clemen..
Mississippi Demands $100K From City Utilities Board Members
CANTON, Miss. (AP) — Officials say utility board members in a Mississippi city owe nearly $100,000 to the state auditor’s office after using public funds for personal use. The Clarion Ledger cites a Thursday statement from State Auditor Stacey Pickering as saying five members on the Canton Mu..
Five Cabinet Chiefs to Testify Before U.S. Senate on Infrastructure
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration will send five cabinet secretaries to a U.S. Senate hearing next week to tout its plan to spur $1.5 trillion infrastructure improvements using $200 billion in new federal funding. The heads of the Transportation, Commerce, Labor, Agriculture and Labor..
Virginia Governor Signs Utility Backed Legislation
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Gov. Ralph Northam has approved legislation that could lead to substantial new additions to most Virginians’ electric bills while making it easier for utilities to build renewable energy projects and improve the electric grid. Northam signed into law Friday legislation that was..
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds