Latest Articles

New Hand-Held Tool Touts Easy Location Of All Utilities

Subsurface Instruments Inc. has introduced the Inspector 07, a lightweight, handheld instrument for locating buried utilities and other objects.

Global Pipeline Partners Complete Two Wisconsin Pipelines

Global Pipeline Partners LLC, (GPP) recently completed two pipelines running through Wisconsin which comprise the single largest pipeline construction project ever done in the state under one contract.

1908 – 2008: 100 Year History Of Oildom Publishing Company

I will never know precisely what was on my grandfather’s mind that day in 1908 when he decided it was time for a career change.

Everybody’s talking

As turmoil continues to grip the world’s stock markets and traders seem to have a knee-jerk reaction every time some CEO goes to the bathroom, there is a bright side.

Lessons Learned From Hurricane Ike, Underground Utilities

In October 2005, I wrote about our experience with Hurricane Rita. Unfortunately, it’s time to discuss another hurricane.

Workforce Crisis: Intern Program Steers Students Into Utility Careers

One of the best ways to minimize the effects of a shortage of qualified workers is to plan ahead.

Three Plastic Pipe Associations

One of the issues raised following the retraction of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) press release regarding alleged problems with fused PVC pipe is the role of PPI in the plastic pipe industry.

PPI positions itself as representing all of the industry. In its response to the PPI press release, Underground Solutions Inc. (UGSI) claimed PPI devotes its efforts to promoting HDPE pipe products.

Battle Over Fused PVC

In August, Underground Construction magazine and other industry publications received this brief editorial "bulletin":

"The Plastics Pipe Institute retracts its news release dated June 11, 2008, and its contents therein." There was no mention of what the June 11 press release was about or a summary of what it contained.

Gas Infrastructure Commission Legislation Prompts Worries

With Congress almost certain to pass a bill revising or eliminating its longstanding ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, interstate natural gas pipelines are trying to insure that any bill does not include an amendment setting up a national commission which would examine the adequacy of current federal policies governing the siting of natural gas infrastructure.

Some Dissatisfaction With DIMP

While distribution companies and state regulators seem to be satisfied with the general outlines of the proposed distribution integrity management program (DIMP) announced on June 25 by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a number of questions are being raised by both groups about some of the proposal's murky details.