Regulatory
Texas Water Development Board Now Accepting Applications for SWIFT Funding
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has opened the application period for the 2018 funding cycle of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program. The application period began on Dec. 8, 2017 and ends Feb. 2, 2018. “The TWDB has committed $5.6 billion in financial assistance to..
Texas Town Receives $2 Million for Water Pipeline Upgrades
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved financial assistance in the amount of $2 million, consisting of a $1 million loan and $1 million in loan forgiveness, from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to the city of Gorman. The city will use the assistance to finance construction cos..
CPS Energy' COO Appointed Co-Chair of Puerto Rico's Transformation Advisory Council
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) announced today that CPS Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Cris Eugster, has been appointed co-chair of the Transformation Advisory Council (TAC). The TAC, comprised of 11 executive leaders from the public power and investor owned utility sec..
FERC Approves Oncor, Sempra Energy Merger
Sempra Energy and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) today announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order authorizing Sempra Energy’s acquisition of Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH), the indirect owner of approximately 80 percent of Oncor. On A..
Settlement Approved in Pennsylvania American Water Rate Case
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today unanimously approved a settlement that allows Pennsylvania American Water to raise water and wastewater rates, effective Jan. 1, 2018. The primary factor behind the rate increase is the approximately $1.26 billion of investments to replace and u..
Construction Begins on Florida Water Storage Project
On Dec. 13, 2017, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) joined the city of Port St. Lucie, the South Florida Water Management District, and local officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for the McCarty Ranch Extension Water Quality Restoration Project. The project will reduce the..
California Wildfires Prompt Talks on Tougher Utility Rules
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California utilities may face tougher safety rules for power lines, phone lines and utility poles in parts of the state most prone to wildfires. Under the proposed rules being considered Thursday by the California Public Utilities Commission, tree branches would have to be kept..
Regulators Give Go-Ahead for Study of Lake Powell Pipeline
Federal regulators are giving the go-ahead for environmental studies and public comment about a proposed 140-mile (225-kilometer) pipeline to draw water from the Colorado River to serve southwestern Utah communities. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday formally accepted a stat..
Atlantic Coast Pipeline Receives Water Permit in Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A panel of Virginia environmental regulators granted a conditional permit Tuesday for the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, making its approval contingent on getting more information about the project’s impact on water quality. The Virginia State Water Control Board voted 4-3 t..
New York Announces Plan to Transform Puerto Rico's Electric Power Grid
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced a plan to rebuild and transform Puerto Rico’s electric power system, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria in September. The envisioned system will be more resilient, efficient, advanced, and less dependent..
Hearing Postponed for Regulator Charged in Flint Water Crisis
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A hearing has been postponed for a state employee charged in the Flint water scandal who was to return to court for a possible plea deal with the attorney general’s office. The Flint Journal reports that a notice from Genesee District Court says Tuesday’s hearing for Adam ..
Indiana Addresses Potential Water Crisis
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Officials in Indiana are trying to prevent a water crisis as both supply and infrastructure are inadequate for future needs. A 2016 survey found that Indiana utilities have an immediate need for $2.26 billion to replace water meters, hydrants, water mains, treatment plants, well..
Virginia Regulators Weigh Key Approval for Atlantic Coast Pipeline
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — State regulators will soon decide whether to grant a key approval to the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The Virginia State Water Control Board will meet for a second day Tuesday to consider whether to issue a water quality certification for the natural gas pipeline that woul..
Environmental Groups File Lawsuit to Try to Block Pipeline
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A coalition of environmental groups has filed a federal lawsuit to try to block a natural gas pipeline planned for southwestern Virginia. The Mountain Valley Pipeline cleared its last regulatory hurdle and won state water permits Thursday. The lawsuit was filed Friday in the ..
New York Making Millions Available to Sewer, Water Districts in Push for Geothermal Systems
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is making $3.8 million available in a clean energy challenge to push for more geothermal systems. The initiative by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and New York Power Authority is aimed at helping stimulate financing and installation o..
INGAA Announces Leadership Changes
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) today announced the retirement of Terry Boss, senior vice president of environment, safety and operations, after a distinguished 33-year career in the pipeline industry, including 23 years with INGAA. Boss, who has led INGAA’s efforts on pip..
California Water Districts Don't Need Voter Approval on Fees
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The state’s water conservation districts don’t need the approval of property owners or voters to charge their customers fees to fund programs aimed at protecting groundwater, the California Supreme Court ruled on Monday. But the justices in a unanimous decision also said the ..
Virginia Water Board Certifies Mountain Valley Pipeline
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s Water Control Board has issued a certification for a proposed natural gas pipeline that will run through six counties in the state. The board voted 5-2 Thursday to issue a water quality certification for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The Roanoke Times reports that at..
North Carolina Regulators Want More Information on Pipeline
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Another state permit needed for a proposed natural gas pipeline in eastern North Carolina is being slowed. The state Department of Environmental Quality asked Atlantic Coast Pipeline developers this week for more information for an air quality permit for a compressor station to..
West Virginia Weighs Permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia environmental regulators Wednesday announced two public hearings on issuing a construction stormwater permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would carry natural gas southeast from the center of the state. The 600-mile (965-kilometer) pipeline would exte..
FERC Officially Has New Chairman
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today swore in Kevin J. McIntyre as chairman. McIntyre was nominated to the commission by President Donald J. Trump in August 2017 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 2, 2017. Previously, McIntyre was the co-leader of the global Energy Practice a..
Idaho County Issues Disaster Declaration for Town Without Water
GRANGEVILLE, Idaho (AP) — County officials approved a disaster declaration for a western Idaho town so it can apply for emergency state funding after losing its water wells. The Lewiston Tribune reports the water wells in the town of White Bird stopped working late last month, causing Idaho C..
Minnesota Lacks Funding to Update Aging Infrastructure
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota doesn’t have enough funding to update all of its aging underground infrastructure. Minnesota Public Radio reports that water and sewer pipes are reaching the end of their expected life spans in many areas across the state. Jeff Freeman is the executiv..
Toxic Chemicals Found in Water of Some New Hampshire Fire Departments
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A majority of drinking water wells at fire departments in New Hampshire have some level of toxic chemicals in the first batch of 10 tests by the state. The chemicals – perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate – were used in industrial coatings, such as Teflon. They ..
Milwaukee Alderman: Armed Sewer Subcontractors Won't be Tolerated
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee alderman says a sewer subcontracting company doing business with the city has been asked to explain why three of its workers were apparently armed with handguns while working on the north side. A photo of the three American Sewer Services employees got some traction on ..
Mountain Valley Pipeline Receives Forest Service Approval
ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has given the Mountain Valley Pipeline its approval to cross federal forestland in Virginia and West Virginia. The authorization marks another milestone for the proposed 303-mile underground natural gas pipeline, which was approved by the Federal Energy R..
ACWA Elects New President
Members of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today announced the election of Brent Hastey, chairman of the Yuba County Water District, to a two-year term as president of the statewide association. Steven LaMar, a director for Irvine Ranch Water District, was elected vice president...
Commission Seeks Fracking Ban in Watershed Supplying New York City
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A commission that oversees water quality for the watershed that supplies Philadelphia and half of New York City with drinking water is taking another step toward permanently banning natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing. The Delaware River Basin Commission on Thursday..
ACWA Honors Rowland Water District
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has awarded its Huell Howser Best in Blue Award to the Rowland Water District for its innovative OPARC Fire Hydrant Maintenance Program that provides meaningful employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. The maintenance p..
Utility Fined for Gas Pipeline Safety Violations
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is paying a $900,000 fine after state regulators found that the utility failed to keep accurate maps and records of its underground natural gas lines. The settlement approved Wednesday by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission instruc..
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