Underground Construction - August 2020 - 8

NEWSLINE LATEST INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
Supreme Court Reinstates
Permit 12 but Excludes
Keystone XL
The U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the Army Corps
of Engineers' use of Nationwide Permit 12 but
refused to let TC Energy resume construction on
the U.S. portion of its Keystone XL pipeline under
the fast-track permit.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris of Montana ruled
in April that the Corps violated federal law by failing

to adequately consult on risks to endangered
species and habitat, and that it must comply before
it can apply the nationwide permit to any project.
That ruling not only impacted Keystone XL, but
also threatened to delay more than 70 pipeline
projects across the United States and add up to $2
billion in costs, according to industry estimates.
The Trump administration in June asked the
Supreme Court to revive Permit 12 and allow
Keystone XL and other new oil and gas pipelines to

Remembering Ron Halderman
Ron Halderman, a widely
respected HDD pioneer whose
more than 35 years of experience helped define the future
of trenchless technology,
died at 72 in Billings, Montana,
after battling cancer.
Throughout his career in
the design and management
of HDD projects, including
design build and EPC delivery
methods, Ron never ceased
to find a better way to serve
his clients in the industry.
A registered professional
engineer, he held a degree
in Geological Engineering
from the Colorado School of Mines and graduate studies from the University of Idaho.
Ron managed a number of award-winning projects across the globe, published many articles
and presented numerous papers, and played a prominent role in the trenchless curriculum for the
Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, co-sponsored by
Underground Construction magazine.
He was involved in many "firsts" in this industry, including the first mile-long drill, first drill
under an airport runway and first mile-long drill in rock. He held two HDD-related patents entitled
"Apparatus and Method for Recirculating Mud When Drilling under an Obstacle" and "Drilling Fluid
Recovery when Drilling under an Obstacle or Water Body." He also was the co-creator of thixotropic
thermal grout (No-Set™) for high voltage electrical transmission systems.
Ron was inducted into the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) Hall of
Fame in 2015 for his contributions to the advancement of both the trenchless technology industry.
Ron served as director of special projects for Mears Group, where he was admired as a pillar of
integrity and accomplishments. "Mears was privileged to have a person of Ron's stature in its ranks
and is thankful for his innovativeness and passion for his work," the company said in a statement. "
He will always remain part of the Mears family and is an integral part of the company's history as a
truly remarkable person."
He was also a beloved father, husband, son and friend to many. His wife, Lynn, who was always
present and supportive of his career, can attest to his quirky humor, but also of his grounded
stability and love for his family.
The family will be donating to Colorado School of Mines in memory of Ron. Contributions can
be made by check payable to Lynn Halderman.

AUGUST 2020 | UConOnline.com

resume construction across waterways. In July,
the high court accepted the request to lift a courtordered freeze on the program but singled out
the Keystone XL project in a one-paragraph order
without explaining the rationale for its decision.
TC Energy said it remains "fully committed" to
the Keystone pipeline but will continue to evaluate
its 2020 U.S. scope.

PG&E Emerges from
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy after
Confessing to Wildfire Deaths
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) emerged from
Chapter 11 bankruptcy after successfully completing
its restructuring process and implementing a
reorganization plan that was confirmed in late
June by the U.S. bankruptcy court.
Completion of the lengthy case came only
days after the San Francisco-based company
confessed to killing 84 people in one of the most
devastating wildfires in recent U.S. history. That
plea came during a dramatic criminal court hearing
punctuated by a promise from the company's
outgoing CEO that the nation's largest utility will
never again put profits ahead of safety.
PG&E CEO Bill Johnson personally appeared
in the Butte County courthouse to plead guilty
to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter
stemming from a November 2018 wildfire ignited
by the utility's crumbling electrical grid. The blaze
nearly wiped out the entire town of Paradise and
drove PG&E into bankruptcy.
"Our equipment started that fire," Johnson
acknowledged. "PG&E will never forget the Camp
Fire and all that it took away from the region."
PG&E's complicated bankruptcy case was used
to work out $25.5 billion in settlements to pay for
the damages from the fire and others in 2017. The
bankruptcy deals include $13.5 billion earmarked
for wildfire victims.

Developers Cancel
Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Despite Positive Court Ruling
The developers of the long-delayed, $8 billion
Atlantic Coast Pipeline announced that they have
cancelled construction of the multi-state natural
gas project, citing uncertainties about costs,
permitting and litigation.
The decision came in spite of a victory at the
U.S. Supreme Court over a critical permit, which
would have allowed the pipeline to cross under
the Appalachian Trail.

http://www.UConOnline.com

Underground Construction - August 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Construction - August 2020