Business
Hobas Pipe USA to increase fiberglass pipe production by 50% to address water, wastewater infrastructure demands
Martin Dana, President and CEO, emphasized the expansion as a response to the robust demand for high-quality, fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (FRPM) pipes, particularly from municipal clients across the United States.
MPE Partners, Precision Pipeline expand Florida footprint with SabCon Underground acquisition
SabCon offers a comprehensive breadth of services, including horizontal directional drilling, open trench excavation, pipe fusion, hot taps, and other specialty offerings.
Trenchless Technology provider Vortex Companies appoints veteran employee as COO
As one of Vortex's first employees when the company opened its doors in 2015, Ryan Graham has steadily risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Senior Vice President for Vortex Services.
Horizontal Directional Drilling Association to host HDDA Meeting and Training Conference in May 2024
Located at the Baton Rouge Marriot, HDD professionals will have the chance to dive into rig mechanics, learn how to identify utilities, discuss the importance of fluid control, among other important topics relevant to the HDD industry.
National Trench Safety appoints Fernando Pinera as new CEO
National Trench Safety (NTS), the nation’s largest pure play trench safety solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Fernando Pinera as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2024.
Aegion continues western expansion with acquisition of underground utilities company Toncco
Founded in 2019 by CJ Nix, Toncco found its niche as a water utility maintenance and emergency service provider for underground sanitary sewer, storm sewer and potable water pipes across Utah.
Osmose Utilities Services acquires underground cable diagnostics service provider IMCORP
The integration of IMCORP's technology with Osmose's comprehensive asset management solutions will offer electric utilities an unparalleled approach to ensuring the reliability and performance of both above ground and underground infrastructure.
AmeriTex Pipe & Products to support Texas infrastructure with new Conroe HDPE corrugated pipe facility
AmeriTex Pipe & Products has begun construction on a new High-Density Polyethylene and Polypropylene ("HDPE/PP") corrugated pipe facility on its Conroe, Texas, campus to better serve its Texas' customers.
Second annual Global Buried Asset Management Congress to be held in Indianapolis
Building on the achievements of the inaugural The Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC), BAMI-I, in partnership with Purdue Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) and Southwest Environmental Financial Center (SWEFC), announced the second GBAMC, scheduled for Nov.14-16, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Enbridge completes $3.1 billion sale of Alliance, Aux Sable pipelines to Pembina Pipeline Corp.
Alliance delivers liquids-rich natural gas sourced in Northeast B.C., Northwest Alberta, and the Bakken region to Chicago. Aux Sable operates NGL extraction and fractionation facilities in both Canada and the U.S., with extraction rights on Alliance, offering connectivity to key U.S. NGL hubs.
Enbridge joins JV to connect Permian natural gas pipeline, storage assets to LNG, Gulf Coast projects
Enbridge Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with WhiteWater/I Squared Capital and MPLX LP to form a joint-venture that will develop, construct, own, and operate natural gas pipeline and storage assets connecting Permian Basin natural gas supply to growing LNG and U.S. Gulf Coast demand.
Summit Midstream sells Summit, Ohio natural gas gathering systems for $625 million
The Summit Utica system is a natural gas gathering system located in Belmont and Monroe counties in southeastern Ohio. Ohio Gathering comprises a natural gas gathering system located in the Utica Shale in southeastern Ohio.
TC Energy sells Canadian natural gas pipeline project to Nisga’a Nation, Western LNG
The transaction supports the timely advancement of the approved and permitted Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project in British Columbia and potential delivery corridor that would further unlock Canada as a secure, affordable and sustainable source of LNG.
Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
The Fiber Broadband Association’s Technology Committee has published its “Fiber Broadband Scalability and Longevity” white paper — the latest FBA research that explains optical fiber is the only communications medium that can support both existing and future applications for many decades with no infrastructure changes.
Business People
Mark Roberts, well-known and respected leader in the pipeline industry, died Feb. 2, at age 75; Michael Hoffmaster was promoted from director to vice president of Business Development at OBIC LLC; Jeremy Cress, P.E. joined Woolpert; and more!
Business News
VANAIR acquires Grip Idle Management; Aries Industries adds Phoenix-based Short Equipment Inc. to its dealer network; United Rentals offers game-changing equipment, tools, approaches; Yanmar celebrates launch of zero tail swing excavator; and more!
EQT acquires Mountain Valley Pipeline owner to become largest integrated natural gas business in U.S.
Acquiring Equitrans provides over 2,000 miles of irreplaceable pipeline infrastructure with extensive overlap and connectivity in EQT's core area of operations.
New Jersey American Water to invest at least $10 million in sewer system improvements following Borough of Manville acquisition
The system upgrades include addressing inflow and infiltration, flood mitigation efforts, and sewer main repairs and replacements. The agreement also includes short- and long-term rate stability proposals.
Enbridge increases gas utility portfolio with closing of EOG acquisition from Dominion Energy
EOG has a robust portfolio of assets, including over 22,000 miles (over 35,400 km) of transmission, gathering and distribution pipelines, underground storage, and interconnections to multiple interstate pipelines and large natural gas producers.
22nd ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School to be held in Austin, Texas, for utilities professionals
The 22nd ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School will be hosted in Austin, Texas, from April 1-5, 2024. This highly-anticipated event is a collaboration between the Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) and ASCE’s UESI - Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI).
Business People
Industry pioneer and Distribution Contractors Association Past President Thomas Michael (Tom) Allen, of Edwardsville, Ill., died Oct. 23, 2023, at the age of 83. Additionally, LAN, Woolpert, McElroy and more announced promotions in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
NV5 secures $13 million in contracts to support utility infrastructure across Western US
A West Coast utility selected NV5 for a $3.5 million contract to provide support on a gas transmission main. NV5 has also secured a $1.5 million project for utility initiatives that ensure regulatory compliance for transmission pipelines.
Former EPA water administrator Radhika Fox joins Xylem as Senior Advisor
Fox will provide strategic counsel to Xylem on evolving issues and opportunities in the water sector and provide advice on a range of matters to support the delivery of Xylem’s strategy.
Annual MVP awards luncheon to be held March 19 at UIC
Russ Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored as the underground infrastructure industry’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) at a special luncheon on March 19, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC
The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
PCCA takes workforce development, damage prevention efforts to the States
The PCCA has fought for increased funding for rural broadband and electric power, fewer regulatory roadblocks, faster permitting, damage prevention, workforce development, and more. But in 2023 and now into the new year, PCCA is taking a more active role in the states, especially when it comes to workforce development and damage prevention.
Editor’s Log: Industry honors and celebrations
It’s officially awards season for the underground infrastructure industry with some amazing people, projects and technology being cited for market contributions.
Natural gas transmission projects to drive Williams’ growth in 2024
CEO Alan Armstrong said, “Looking ahead, Williams is excited to provide additional natural gas solutions to support the reliability of the U.S. power sector as it faces growing regional demand."
Itron rebrands to focus on electricity, water, gas delivery offerings
Itron is providing more intelligence at the grid edge and driving a smoother transition to cleaner energy and water delivery while transforming the way grid operators address critical challenges.
Five Star Electric to replace 150,000 feet of fiber optic cable in $67 million contract from New York Transportation Authority
The project scope of work includes the replacement of approximately 150,000 feet of fiber optic cable; interconnecting and integrating more than 360 branch sites into MTA’s network; connecting, testing and integrating existing service delivery switches at more than 150 branch sites; and integrating existing closed circuit television cameras at 125 stations to existing video management and physical security information management systems.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis