Regulatory
Expect Federal Funding Cuts, New Regs In 2011
The 2011 Congress will be one of the most unpredictable in many years, and probably one of the most explosive too, owing to the partisan friction occasioned by the Republican tide washing over both the House -- where the GOP took over -- and the Senate.
Baby Steps: 14th Annual Municipal Survey
After more than two years of declining revenues, tightening budgets and helplessly watching from the sidelines as their sewer and water infrastructure continues to decay and they are increasingly struggling to maintain current service levels, U.S. municipal personnel are hoping to experience at least a minor measure of improvement in 2011.
In Wake of San Bruno, PHMSA Calls Oversight of IM Programs "Lacking"
A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing on March 1-2 in Washington may push Congress to renew failed efforts from the fall of 2010 to upgrade pipeline safety laws. The hearings will air the NTSB's preliminary findings from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) pipeline explosion in California last September where seven people were killed.
FEMA to pay Biloxi $350M to fix water and sewer lines
More than a million feet of sewer and water lines will get a major overhaul in Biloxi, MS, over the next few months. FEMA is funding the nearly $350 million bill to repair existing lines, including storm drains damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
FERC Investigates Pipeline Rates; PHMSA Rejects INGAA Pleas
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is investigating the possibility that two interstate pipelines are charging unreasonable rates. The FERC opened mid-November investigations of Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC and Ozark Gas Transmission LLC, a unit of Spectra Energy Partners LP., based on reviews of Form 2 cost of service and revenue information submitted by the two companies for 2008 and 2009.
Tier 4 FAQ report published
Five leading off-road equipment industry associations have published a "frequently asked questions" (FAQ) report about Tier 4 technology – the next generation of clean diesel emissions standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the federal Clean Air Act. These standards apply to new diesel engines used in off-road equipment beginning in 2011.
EPA to fund California infrastructure improvements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced nearly $300 million in federal funding to improve aging water and wastewater infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for people in the state of California. This new infusion of money through infrastructure capitalization grants will help state and local governments finance many of the overdue improvements to water projects that are essential to protecting public health and the environment throughout California.
Technology Report Released For Force Main Rehab
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report published earlier this year contains a wealth of information about rehabilitation technologies available for sewer force mains. The report, “State of Technology Report for Force Main Rehabilitation,” was prepared as part of the EPA’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Initiative. Here, the principal author of the report gives his summary of the contents.
EPA-Mandated PCB Removal Could Cost Billions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may require pipelines to severely reduce the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) throughout their systems, a move which would cost the industry tens, and potentially hundreds, of billions of dollars, according to the American Gas Association. Pamela F. Faggert, vice president and chief environmental officer, Dominion Resources Services, Inc., says the new regulatory measures the EPA is considering could cost her company alone a minimum of $300 million.
Missouri DOT cited for construction stormwater violations
EPA Region 7 has issued a pair of administrative orders to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), citing multiple violations of stormwater permits that were issued for state construction projects along U.S. Highway 54 Expressway in Camden County, and U.S. Highway 67 in Wayne County.
CNH Construction CEO/president addresses House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Jim McCullough, CEO and president of CNH Construction, which offers Case, New Holland and Kobelco branded construction equipment, testified on Sept. 29 before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to report on progress thus far of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
EPA issues Clean Water, Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy with the goal of increasing the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States. Communities across the country are facing challenges in making costly upgrades and repairs to their aging water infrastructure, which include sewer systems and treatment facilities. The new policy is part of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson's priority to protect America's waters.
Congress To Ponder Flurry Of New Integrity Management Proposals, San Bruno Cause Still Unknown
Congress may vote during the lame duck session after the November congressional elections on the biggest pipeline safety bill since the 2002 amendments established integrity management programs for distribution, transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines. Then again, a major reform bill may be delayed until the next Congress.
WaterWorks News: Water shortages, EPA proposes drinking water rule, RAMSCO buys Jones Water Supply
<a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply#short">U.S. counties face water shortages due to climate change</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=3#epa"> EPA proposes updating drinking water rule to better protect public health </a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=4#ramsco">Waterworks firm RAMSCO buys Binghamton rival</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/waterworks-news-water-shortages-epa-proposes-drinking-water-rule-ramsco-buys-jones-water-supply?page=4#crisis">Using gravity to help solve the global water crisis</a>
Approvals For TransCanada Tar Sand Pipeline Gets Sticky; Plus PMHSA Low-Stress Tug-Of-War And FERC Posting Edict
Despite criticism of his company's proposed, nearly 2000-mile pipeline, Robert Jones, vice president, Keystone Pipelines, TransCanada Corporation, says he is very confident that the U.S. State Department will approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
EPA develops software to secure nation's water supply
Scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have collaborated in developing innovative water quality software that enhances a water system's ability to detect when there has been intentional or unintentional contamination. The Canary software can help detect a wide variety of chemical and biological contaminants, including pesticides, metals and pathogens. Once contamination is detected, a water utility can issue a "Do Not Drink" order to prevent customers from ingesting the water.
Vermeer CEO named to President's Export Council
President Obama has selected Vermeer CEO Mary Andringa as a private-sector representative for business, industry, agriculture and labor on the President’s Export Council (PEC). The PEC is the principal national advisory committee on international trade.
Small Business Jobs and Credit Act Extends Depreciation Credit
The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act passed by the U.S. Senate Sept. 16 will extend the 50 percent bonus depreciation deduction for 2010. Additionally, it includes approximately $12 billion in tax relief for small businesses and a $30 billion lending fund that will be administered by the Treasury Department.
Fracing Disclosure Main Concern In Senate Energy Bill; Incentives For NG Vehicles Included
The energy bill the Senate is to finally take up in September is primarily a "BP-response" bill. It contains none of the greenhouse gas emission reductions that Democrats had hoped to bring to a vote in a "Climate Change" bill, which is dead for this year. The Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act of 2010 focuses mostly on oil spill liability and response issues.
Stimulus Increases Overshadowed By Weak Market: Construction Jobs Down, Infrastructure Bills Stalled
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) announced August 31 that according to its analysis of federal employment data, construction jobs dropped in 276 out of 337 metro areas between July 2009 and 2010. Chicago and Flagstaff, Arizona lost the most jobs, while Prince Georges-Calvert-Charles counties, MD and Eau Claire, Wisconsin topped the list of areas adding jobs.
EPA Issues Clean Watershed Needs Report To Congress
The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) 2008 Report to Congress summarizes the results of EPA's 15th national survey of capital costs to address water quality or water quality related public health problems. The U.S. EPA’s Off ice of Wastewater Management conducts the survey every four years, as required by the lean Water Act.
New OSHA Administrator Talks Tough; BP Accident Imperils Offshore Gas Expansion
David Michaels, the new administrator of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is turning up the heat on industry, and critics of the agency under George W. Bush are pointing the Obama administrator toward the pipeline and underground construction industries.
Case Begins Production Of New Military Skid Steers, Compact Loaders
Case Construction Equipment announced the production startup of a new line of military skid steers and compact track loaders. Case has begun manufacturing and shipping the first of several thousand model M400W skid steers and model M400T compact track loaders.
New EPA Regulations Will Require Machine Reconfiguring, Add Cost
In less than six months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Interim Tier 4 emission standards will go into effect for many types of off-road diesel powered equipment used in underground construction, and equipment owners and operators are devoting increasing attention to the changes they will bring.
New Holland Tier 4 Solutions
New Holland announced its solution to meet the Tier 4 interim emissions standards, which will be effective in 2011.
New Jobs Bill Has Infrastructure Funding Provision; pipeline safety issues crop up; GHG reporting
It looks like Congress will give cities and counties some new flexibility in funding drinking water and sewer projects. The Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act of 2010 (H.R. 4849) that passed in the House, 246 - 178 on March 24, has a provision which allows states to issue private activity bonds for water projects without counting the value of those bonds toward state caps.
New Congressional Inquiries On Hydraulic Fracturing
Congressional concern about "fracing" took another step forward when the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to eight companies asking for details on the chemicals they use during horizontal drilling of shale gas deposits. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the committee, implied in a memorandum to committee members that the "Big Three" of fracing may have violated a voluntary memorandum of agreement they signed with the EPA in 2005.
Underground Market Faces Tier 4 Equipment Adjustments In 2011
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interim Tier 4 emission standards for off-road equipment powered by diesel engines of 175 to less than 750 horsepower will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. From that date through Tier 4’s final implementation in 2014, the equipment marketplace will begin to change for equipment manufacturers and dealers and their customers.
Budget Proposals Increase For Water Infrastructure
President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget proposal (for the year starting Oct. 1, 2010) contains significant sums for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds in spite of pressure to reduce non-defense, non-entitlement spending.
EVA Construction Rules In Effect; More Sewer/Water Stimulus Funds Coming?
The biggest issue for the underground construction industry in 2010 is not whether Congress and the Obama administration will unveil a second round of infrastructure spending, but whether that second helping of funds for sewers and drinking water systems will find its way into financial bloodstreams faster than the first injection did.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects