This video provides a valuable insight into how electric utilities, like Tampa Electric, prepare year-round for hurricanes. CEO Archie Collins explains how the company is ready to tackle challenges like storm surge, high winds, and supply chain issues with transformers. Having faced hurricanes Debby and Helene earlier, their preparedness, including a robust transformer inventory, ensures they can swiftly restore power …
The EPA has set a bold goal: to remove most of the nation’s lead service lines within the next decade. This initiative is not just about addressing a major public health issue – it’s also a remarkable opportunity for the damage prevention and utility sectors to evolve. As millions of homes still rely on outdated lead pipes, the removal effort …
“In the aftermath of every storm, we discover not only the strength of our structures, but also the resilience of our spirit.” Senate extends “PA One Call Law,” supports underground utilities workers: READ When will the power return? Weary Carolinas residents long for relief after Helene’s fury: READ Baltimore City underground fires: What’s happening under North Charles Street?: READ The …
As energy utilities evolve, the landscape is becoming more varied and complex, incorporating technologies that were once experimental but are now essential. From microgrids and fiber installations to renewable energy and underground power systems, the utility infrastructure of tomorrow will look vastly different from today’s centralized, overhead networks. This shift brings an urgent need to map and integrate these new …
Natural disasters are an ever-present threat to both people and infrastructure. Hurricane Helene is a stark reminder of the destruction such events can inflict, with widespread utility outages and damage to critical services. As communities recover, the swift mobilization of crews and the safe restoration of power, water, and communication systems become top priorities. However, as we look to the …
As Hurricane Helene dominates the headlines with its devastating impact, we are reminded of the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure during the aftermath of such disasters. With utilities at greater risk following the storm, damage prevention efforts become even more crucial. Here’s this weeks top 10 stories: Buried power lines spare neighborhoods from being affected by storms: READ Unexpected …
Morehead City’s Public Services recently acquired a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) unit, to assist with locating underground utilities. The GPR was successfully used at Big Rock Stadium to locate irrigation boxes buried under several inches of soil. The device operates by displaying underground objects as parabola shapes on a screen, allowing for easier identification. It can scan up to 30 …
Utilities face a broad spectrum of risks that extend far beyond the traditional challenges of aging infrastructure, natural disasters, and human error. As the world grows more interconnected and data-driven, it’s becoming increasingly clear that unconventional and often unexpected threats must be addressed to ensure the continuity of critical services like power, water, and gas. Unlikely Culprits: Birds as Fire …
“Locate any underground utilities that are present inside the “tolerance zone” by hand digging or utilizing other non-destructive digging measures approved by the Competent Person.” – OSHA Increased Excavation Drives the Need for Careful Work Around Utilities & Proper Technology Selection: READ What would you do if you were banned from digging? READ Underground utility mapping system to aid …
In this insightful episode, Crystal Ball and Matthew Schroettnig sit down with Sarah Edmonds, Bob Rowe, and Debra Smith to discuss their “Theory of Change” for expanding high-voltage, long-distance transmission in the Western U.S. The conversation centers around the need for collaboration and innovation to meet the demands of the future energy grid. As part of the Western Transmission Expansion …