Regulatory
Washington Watch: Trump regulatory changes afoot for pipelines
Trump’s regulatory changes could impact pipeline approvals, with shifts in key environmental laws. Expected revisions to NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and methane regulations could accelerate or delay projects, depending on the new administration’s stance.
FERC reinstates certificate for Williams' Transco Pipeline's expansion project
The U.S. energy regulator has reinstated the certificate for Williams Companies' Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) on Friday, the company said on Monday, which would allow the expansion of the project.
EPA settlement mandates $30 million sewer upgrades for Cahokia Heights, Ill.
Cahokia Heights, Illinois, has agreed to a settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the state of Illinois over long-standing sanitary sewer violations. The city will invest an estimated $30 million in upgrades to address improper sewage discharges and improve system reliability.
Editor’s Log: Where credit is due
As 2025 begins, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act remains a focal point, with officials vying for credit. Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter reflects on the act's impact, bipartisan origins, and the immense work still needed to rebuild America’s infrastructure.
FEMA invests $19.4 million in sewer line extension for Lahaina, Maui recovery
FEMA is investing $19.4 million to extend a sewer line to the Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site, with long-term benefits for Lahaina and surrounding neighborhoods.
Driggs, Idaho commits to $25 million wastewater upgrade after Clean Water Act violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of Idaho, and the City of Driggs, Idaho have agreed on a series of measures the city will undertake to address chronic violations of the Clean Water Act, including a major upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant.
PHMSA proposes tougher safety rules for carbon dioxide pipelines
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has unveiled a proposal to strengthen safety requirements for carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hazardous liquid pipelines.
Sen. Ossoff's law to upgrade East Point, Ga., water infrastructure signed
The law expands an existing authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support water infrastructure projects in East Point, with the goal of improving quality of life and enhancing resilience in the city.
EPA fines developers for stormwater violations in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined The Cliff Corp. and Grupo Caribe, LLC a combined $50,000 for violating the Clean Water Act during the construction of an 86-villa residential development in the Borinquen Ward of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
EPA and Washington fine Seattle, King County for sewer overflow violations
The Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jointly issued penalties to Seattle and King County for violations related to combined sewer overflows.
2024 election sets an interesting table
On Nov. 5, Donald Trump was elected America’s 47th president, after what is considered one of the biggest political comebacks in recent history.
FERC rejects effort to regulate Williams’ gathering line
(UI) — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) just gave a big boost to interstate pipelines that are considering new connections between shale fields and customers.
OSHA cites Glenburn, Maine contractor in fatal trench collapse at Brownville worksite
While installing storm drainage pipes at a Brownville worksite, a retaining wall collapsed, killing one worker and injuring another. OSHA cited Patriot Paving Group LLC for multiple safety violations, including failing to brace the wall and remove workers from the hazardous trench.
Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
A U.S. Department of Labor workplace safety investigation has found a Frisco, Texas, contractor repeatedly exposed workers to serious hazards by sending them into unprotected trenches without providing a means of escape.
GOP lawmakers criticize New York for halting $500 million pipeline project
In a Dec. 5 letter addressed to Governor Hochul, Republican lawmakers from New York and Pennsylvania expressed strong criticism of New York State's decision to block the Northern Access Pipeline, a $500 million natural gas infrastructure project.
OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
OSHA has cited two Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. Inspectors found workers exposed to cave-in hazards without proper protections, prompting citations for willful and serious violations.
Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
The Biden-Harris administration has announced an $849 million investment to upgrade aging water delivery systems across the western United States, aiming to bolster drought resilience and improve water infrastructure.
OSHA extends comment period for proposed heat rule
OSHA has extended the public comment period for its proposed heat injury prevention rule to Jan. 14, 2025, allowing stakeholders more time to provide feedback.
Iowa American Water making progress on EPA mandate, with nearly 1,300 lead service lines replaced so far
Iowa American Water has successfully replaced almost 1,300 customer-owned lead and galvanized steel water service lines to date as part of its ongoing lead service line replacement program, the company announced.
FERC approves Texas-Louisiana expansion project by Natural Gas Pipeline Company
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the Texas-Louisiana Expansion Project, filed by Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, according to a FERC filing on Nov. 21.
Permitting reforms seen as crucial to Northeast, nation’s energy woes
The state of Massachusetts earlier in 2024 joined its fellow New England states, along with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for coordinating their activities to improve interregional transmission planning and development.
Editor's Log: The anticipated return of pipelines
The underground infrastructure sector anticipates significant changes with Trump’s return, especially for pipeline construction, as easing regulations and renewed support signal a potential boom. Underground Infrastructure will spotlight these shifts at its upcoming conference.
EPA launches initiative to combat PFAS in drinking water systems in disadvantaged communities
The initiative, part of the EPA's Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) program, will provide no-cost technical assistance to help public drinking-water systems in 200 communities over the next three years.
Construction set to start on $627 million Toledo Bay View wastewater facility in 2025
(UI) — Construction on the Bay View Wastewater Treatment Plant in Toledo is set to begin in Spring 2025 following the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's completion of a Limited Environmental Review.
Enbridge Line 5 reroute clears hurdle with Wisconsin DNR permit approval
Enbridge's proposed relocation involves replacing a 41-mile segment of its 645-mile Line 5 pipeline with a new 30-inch diameter pipe running through Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron counties.
New York’s Erie County Water Authority sues PVC pipe makers for alleged price-fixing
New York's Erie County Water Authority has filed an antitrust lawsuit against major U.S. PVC pipe manufacturers, alleging they conspired to fix prices, artificially raising costs for PVC pipes used in public water systems and wastewater treatment nationwide.
South Carolina construction firm enters penalty phase over delayed sewer project completion
A $12 million sewer expansion project known as Sewer South Phase 2, overseen by a construction company from Anderson County, has exceeded its Oct. 29 completion deadline, mainly due to outstanding final tasks.
Worker deaths decline amid OSHA crackdown on high-risk trench and fall hazards
According to preliminary data, fatalities in key high-risk areas like trench collapses and falls, which are among the leading causes of death for construction workers, have notably declined.
Top federal court slaps FERC’s hands-on project approvals
Two recent federal appeals court decisions make it unlikely that 2024 and beyond will see an improvement in that statistic, even as interstate pipeline building becomes more important, given increased demand from electric generators, data centers and auto electrification.
Federal court rejects four new pipeline safety rules
Not only has the DC Federal Court of Appeals upended FERC decisions, it has now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
- 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
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- Katy, Texas passes moratorium on fiber-optics projects after damage to water lines
- 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