Regulatory
Water, Wastewater Apprenticeship Program Receives $250K in Funding
CoBank today announced a partnership with the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) to underwrite a program that will target and train the next generation of technical workers needed to ensure the future operation of critical water and wastewater systems in rural communities. The $250..
Council Narrowly Approves Long-Term Flint Water Deal
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — The Flint City Council has narrowly approved a 30-year agreement to get drinking water from a regional agency, bringing to end one battle among many in the Michigan city still recovering from a lead-tainted water crisis. The deal was approved Tuesday night by a 5-4 vote after ho..
Baltimore Begs People Not to Dump Grease Down Drain
BALTIMORE (AP) — Are you the sort of person who dumps greasy globs of congealed fat and oil down the drain when washing up? If so, Baltimore’s public works department wants you to knock it off this Thanksgiving. The agency is asking residents to refrain from pouring cooking fats, oils and grease “..
Year-Long Boil Water Advisory Ends in New Mexico County
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A boil-water advisory that marked the start of a water crisis in San Juan County more than a year ago is ending. The New Mexico Environment Department confirmed Tuesday it is lifting a water advisory for residents of the Harvest Gold subdivision. State regulators say the dr..
Pennsylvania Regulators Cite Sunoco for Pipeline Construction Leaks
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania regulators are citing Sunoco for a three recent leaks during its construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline project.The Department of Environmental Protection last week issued violation notices for two leaks of drilling fluid on Nov. 11, in Chester and Berks countie..
Ohio Village Receives Nearly $2 Million for Water Project
The village of New Waterford has received a $1.78 million interest-free loan from the Ohio EPA to improve the village’s drinking water treatment and distribution system. The project consists of the following: Upgrading the village’s water treatment plant by replacing chemical feed equipment, pre..
200 More Utility Workers from New York Arrive in Puerto Rico
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Another 200 utility workers from New York state have arrived in Puerto Rico to assist in getting the power back on following Hurricane Maria. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the workers arrived Tuesday along with 180 utility vehicles. They follow 160 utility workers and near..
Kansas Regulators to Review Westar Merger with Great Plains
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Shareholders overwhelmingly approved a proposed merger of Kansas’ largest electric company with a Missouri firm Tuesday, a move that aims to create a new unified company with a combined equity value of about $14 billion in a revised deal that still requires regulatory approval. ..
Lawsuit Accuses Utilities of Jacking up Natural Gas Prices
BOSTON (AP) — A class-action lawsuit has accused two utilities of conspiring to drive up energy costs in New England in a multi-year scheme that affected millions of customers. The lawsuit filed this week in Boston federal court alleges Eversource Energy and Avangrid Inc. used their market po..
Flint Water Breakthrough After Court-Ordered Talks
DETROIT (AP) — The Flint City Council is expected to support a 30-year agreement to get drinking water from a regional agency after an afternoon of court-ordered negotiations. The deal means the Great Lakes Water Authority would continue to serve Flint. It has been providing water since fall 2015 w..
More than $84 Million Awarded for Sewer, Water Projects in Florida
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently provided more than $84 million toward the completion of four water quality improvement projects in Central and South Florida. The funding was awarded through DEP’s Division of Water Restoration Assistance’s various funding resources a..
Officials Concerned About Contaminated Water in Kansas Town
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Officials with a water district downstream from Lawrence are concerned about the short notice they received regarding the city’s release of nitrogen-contaminated water into the Kansas River. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the Kansas Department of Health and Environmen..
Pipeline Upgrades Included in PG&E's Proposed Gas Transmission and Storage Plan
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today submitted a comprehensive proposal as part of its 2019-2021 Gas Transmission and Storage (GT&S) rate request to California regulators. The request outlines how the company will continue to achieve increased levels of gas safety by strengthening and moder..
Pennsylvania Utility's Settlement Could Spur $1.8 Million Investment in Lead Line Replacement
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) have entered into a Consent Order and Agreement (COA), including a $2.4 million civil penalty assessment for violations related to lead level exceedances, partial lead service line repla..
Ohio Town Awarded Funding to Build Emergency Water Line
The city of Campbell has received a $454,000 low-interest loan from the Ohio EPA to establish an emergency drinking water connection with Youngstown. The project will build a water transmission line connecting to Youngstown to provide redundancy within the water distribution system. This will ensur..
Keeping California “Water Strong” Focus of ACWA Conference
The Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) today announced Keeping “CA Water Strong” through solid water infrastructure, sustainable groundwater systems and forward-thinking water policy will be the focus of 2017 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim Nov. 28 – Dec. 1. An estimated 1,600..
ASTM International Standard Aims to Reduce Contamination and Costs in Plastic Pipe Production
ASTM International announced its committee on plastic piping systems is developing a new standard that aims to use best practices to prevent contamination in manufacturing polyethylene pipe and fittings. According to ASTM International member Eugene Palermo, manufacturers could use the standard to ..
New York Accepting Nominations for Public Service Award
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that nominations are now being accepted for the Empire Star Public Service Award, a $5,000 professional development scholarship program for state employees. Nominations are being accepted for those who have distinguished themselves through their dedication..
National Rural Water Association Partners with Department of Labor on Apprenticeship Program
The National Rural Water Association (NRWA), today announced a partnership with the United States Department of Labor (DOL) to launch a nationwide apprenticeship program. The WaterPro Apprenticeship Program, tailored to water and wastewater system operations specialists, is now a nationally-reco..
Vermont Council Reopens Bidding Process for Telecom Utility
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Burlington officials have formed a committee to determine how to vote on a buyer for the city’s Burlington Telecom utility following a failed joint venture proposal. The Burlington Free Press reports a final vote has been scheduled for Nov. 27. The finalists, Ting and Keep Bu..
New York Utility Crews Arrive in Puerto Rico to Help Restore Power
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than 160 electric public and private utility experts and nearly 100 utility vehicles have arrived in Puerto Rico to assist with the recovery of its power grid caused by severe damage from Hurricane Maria in September. Governor Cuomo also announc..
Alaska Commission Rejects Canadian Firm’s Offer for Utility
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska’s utility regulator has turned down a Canadian firm’s offer to take over Alaska Electric Light and Power citing a legal technicality. The Juneau Empire reported Sunday that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska denied Ontario-based Hydro One’s application to acquire the e..
Firm Opposes Subpoena in Bribery Case Against Ex-Regulator
PHOENIX (AP) – A water company whose owner is charged with bribing a former Arizona utility regulator is opposing a subpoena that orders the Corporation Commission to turn over records as part of the criminal case. Lawyers for Johnson Utilities say the records are related to its rate case before th..
Utility Set to Meet with Officials About Buying Gas Company
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A utility company’s representatives are scheduled to meet with state officials to work on the terms for buying a natural gas business that will bring service to more customers in the Fairbanks area. Interior Gas Utility Board Chairman Mike Meeks and recently appointed board..
New Jersey American Water Invests $4.4 Million in Essex County
New Jersey American Water has commenced construction on two water infrastructure improvements, investing $4.4 million within its service areas of Millburn and West Orange. The approximate 8,640 feet of new pipe replaces water main that has reached the end of its useful life and will be replaced with..
Canadian Pipeline Construction Project Hearing Starts
Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) will hear oral cross-examination beginning today, Nov. 8, on an application from TransCanada to abandon a 266-kilometer section of its Peace River Mainline. The hearing began at 9 a.m. at the NEB’s Hearing Room in Calgary, and is open to the public. TransCanada ..
Hearing Set to Address Constitutional Questions Concerning Canadian Pipeline
The National Energy Board (NEB) will hold a two-day oral hearing to address a motion filed by Kinder Morgan, which includes constitutional questions. The company filed a request with the NEB on Oct. 26, saying it had been unable to secure municipal permits that would enable the company to commence ..
Water Line Extension Completed in New York Town
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has completed an extension of a public water supply line to serve the residents of the Sunnyside Gardens neighborhood in the town of Glenville. The project was part of an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) put in place by DEC to aggressiv..
Ohio Regulators Propose 2018 Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Program Management Plan
The Ohio EPA will hold a meeting on Nov. 20 to discuss the agency’s draft 2018 Program Management Plan for the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF). The fund provides financial and technical assistance for projects that improve the quality of Ohio’s rivers, streams, lakes and other water bodies..
Vermont Town Proposes Joint Venture Purchase of Telecom Utility
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Burlington officials have directed the two buyers vying for the city’s Burlington Telecom utility to figure out a joint venture proposal. The Burlington Free Press reports Councilor Ali Dieng proposed the joint venture Monday night after the two votes to decide a final buyer ..
- 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