Articles by Mary B. Powers

Energy Construction

Court Nixes Permit of Nearly Complete $6.2B Mountain Valley Pipeline

January 27, 2022

Mastec-built Virginia to W.Va. natural gas project, set to operate in summer, faces unclear delay as feds must reassess its water crossings in a national forest.

Infrastructure Act

IIJA Rollout Picks Up More Steam

States gain $5.3B for bridge program, with locks and dams, Everglades restoration and power transmission set for funding

January 27, 2022

As the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act moves into its third month on the books, the Biden administration is stepping up project spending.

Coronavirus and Construction

Court Moves Shift Focus to Federal Workers, Military in COVID-19 Vaccine Battle

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

January 22, 2022

No Comments

Judge enjoins federal worker mandate over its reach, immediately appealed by U.S. Justice Dept., citing Biden's “constitutional authority to act as CEO of the executive branch,” while dispute over military vaccinations heats up.

Power Construction

US Court Questions 102-Mile Transmission Project Over River Crossing

Mary B. Powers

January 20, 2022

No Comments

Federal judge allows construction for now on $492M Wisconsin-to-Iowa line in opponent challenge, but chides utilities and agencies over Mississippi River crossing permit flaws. Project, set to carry western renewable energy to markets, has support from one Wisconsin non-profit.

COVID-19 and Construction

DOJ Defends Federal Contractor Vaccine Order to Atlanta Appeals Court

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

January 19, 2022

One Comment

Attorneys tell court in Jan. 18 brief that mandate is legal under US procurement law to insure "economical and efficient" contracting, but Cincinnati appeals court panel rejected argument on Jan. 5, despite strong dissent from Chief Justice. That court also is weighing merits of OSHA vaccine rule for large contractors, not in effect now under new US Supreme Court order.

Workforce

SCOTUS Hears Feds' Suit Over State Workers' Comp Law for DOE Nuke Site

Mary B. Powers

January 13, 2022

No Comments

High court will decide Biden challenge to Washington state's coverage expansion for Hanford contractor workers related to illnesses claimed from exposure to major toxics

ENR 2021 Top 25 Newsmakers

Robert Wholey: Ex-Banker Takes Risk to Build First US Power Plant to Burn Cleaner Hydrogen Fuel

Developer sees gamble on $500M Ohio project set to pay off in changing energy market

Mary B. Powers

January 13, 2022

No Comments

Ex-investment banker took a risk in 2019 on $500M Long Ridge project, betting that tech sector customers and others will embrace the new fuel as a draw to locate in a struggling Ohio region; as the energy transition unfolds, he says the gamble is set to pay off.

Federal Contracting

FERC Pulls Burns & McDonnell Gas Project Contract, Cites Conflict

Mary B. Powers

January 6, 2022

No Comments

Firm's environmental review award and engineering contract relate to same natural gas project, agency says, after watchdog group raises issues over the link.

Clean Energy Development

Solar Capacity Grows in US, But States Still Struggle to Deploy

Mary B. Powers

January 5, 2022

No Comments

Solar energy added 9,604 MW through Oct. 31, 2021, up 28% from the same period a year earlier, says the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Recent regulation changes in Massachusetts and California are aimed to push development, but with some opposition.

Clean Energy Technology

Report: DOE Spent $1.1B To Build Just 3 Carbon Capture Demos

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

December 23, 2021

No Comments

GAO analysis says 11 large-scale projects at coal-fired power plants and industrial sites were funded; department counters that a new clean energy demo program beefed up with with infrastructure act funds will fix cost management.

Enhancing Collaboration and Surpassing Traditional Design-Build Methods with Progressive Design-Build

Earn: 1 PDH; 1 AIA LU/Elective; 0.1 IACET CEU

Progressive Design-Build is reshaping large infrastructure projects by addressing key issues with the traditional Design-Build approach. We'll explore how PDB fosters collaboration between owners, design-builders, and design teams to develop a well-defined scope and budget, plus minimizes cost overruns and reduces liability claims.

Articles by Mary B. Powers

Court Nixes Permit of Nearly Complete $6.2B Mountain Valley Pipeline

IIJA Rollout Picks Up More Steam

Court Moves Shift Focus to Federal Workers, Military in COVID-19 Vaccine Battle

US Court Questions 102-Mile Transmission Project Over River Crossing

DOJ Defends Federal Contractor Vaccine Order to Atlanta Appeals Court

SCOTUS Hears Feds' Suit Over State Workers' Comp Law for DOE Nuke Site

Robert Wholey: Ex-Banker Takes Risk to Build First US Power Plant to Burn Cleaner Hydrogen Fuel

FERC Pulls Burns & McDonnell Gas Project Contract, Cites Conflict

Solar Capacity Grows in US, But States Still Struggle to Deploy

Report: DOE Spent $1.1B To Build Just 3 Carbon Capture Demos

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