In other news below:
-- JMAR's BioSentry to be installed in first European water utility application
-- Aqua America reports new water, wastewater acquisition in Virginia
-- Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell team for Kansas City water services project
-- PennFuture files notice to sue five Lancaster County factory farms over water quality
-- Vigilistics founder to discuss energy sustainability at IDFA Dairy Forum
-- Pentair names ex-GE Water exec as vice president for water technology
-- American Water names president of its Illinois unit
-- LA's MWD board chief announces vice chairs, leadership posts
-- Open Energy Corp. completes strategic planning process
-- LuminUltra announces new Paris distributor
-- Covanta starts design of Hillsborough County, Fla., waste-to-energy plant expansion
• Skanska awarded environmental assignment for $67.5 million -- STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 9, 2007 -- Skanska has been awarded the assignment to upgrade a water pollution control plant in the eastern United Sates. The total contract amount is US$150 million [SEK 1,105 million], of which Skanska's share is 45%, corresponding to US$67.5 million [SEK 500 million]. Skanska's share of the contract will be included in its fourth quarter 2006 order bookings.
The assignment pertains to a bolt-on contract at one of several projects that Skanska is currently undertaking to extend and upgrade existing U.S. wastewater treatment plants. The project is part of the federal program aimed at reducing pollution and enhancing water quality in major metropolitan areas in the United States.
Skanska's assignment includes foundation work, piling, steel sheeting and all associated mechanical work. Work on the site is set to commence immediately and is scheduled for completion in February 2009.
This assignment, in addition to other environmental projects, will be performed by the company's U.S. subsidiary, Skanska USA Civil, based in Whitestone, NY. This unit's operations focus on transportation infrastructure and facilities for power generation, water and wastewater treatment in the eastern United States, Colorado and California. Skanska USA Civil has some 4,300 employees and had sales totaling approximately SEK 9.4 billion in 2005.
Skanska (www.skanska.com) is one of the world's leading construction groups with expertise in construction, development of commercial and residential projects and public-private partnerships. The group currently has 54,000 employees in selected home markets in Europe, in the US and Latin America. Based in Stockholm, Sweden and listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Skanska's sales in 2005 totaled US$17 billion.
Also see: "Skanska to construct Calif. pharmaceutical research facility for US$113 million"
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Among other recent headlines:
• JMAR's BioSentry to be installed in first European water utility application -- Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. issues purchase order to commence test program in UK water utility -- SAN DIEGO, Jan. 9, 2007 -- JMAR Technologies Inc. has received a purchase order from Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. to install and test the BioSentry™ Water Monitoring System in a major water utility facility in the U.K. This test program marks the first water utility application for BioSentry in Europe. The program, scheduled to begin later this month, will determine the effectiveness of the BioSentry in detecting the presence of Cryptosporidium, a parasitic protozoan that is chlorine resistant and can infect humans, resulting in serious illness. Due to a number of outbreaks in the U.K., monitoring for Cryptosporidium is required by the U.K.'s Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). Current testing utilizes traditional grab-sample methods which are expensive and can take up to 72 hours to obtain results. Yorkshire Water has agreed to lease the BioSentry System for an evaluation period of six months. Upon successful completion of the test period, they will have the option to purchase the unit for permanent installation. The agreement was facilitated by JMAR's U.K. representatives, ExcelFirst Ltd...
• Aqua America reports new water, wastewater acquisition in Virginia -- BRYN MAWR, PA, Jan. 9, 2007 -- Aqua America Inc. announced today that a division of its Virginia subsidiary, Aqua Virginia Inc., acquired both the water system assets and the wastewater system assets at the Lake Holiday residential community in Frederick County near Winchester, for approximately $1.2 million. The newly acquired systems provide water and wastewater services to approximately 2,000 residents. Lake Holiday, a private, gated community located around a 240-acre lake, is experiencing ongoing growth with more than 1,000 unoccupied and buildable lots. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the acquisition last month...
• Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell team for Kansas City water services project -- KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Black & Veatch and Burns & McDonnell, both global engineering and consulting companies with world headquarters based in Kansas City announced today their intention to jointly pursue upcoming program management opportunities within the city's Water Services Department. Kansas City recently issued a Request for Qualifications to provide Extension of Staff Services for Water/Sewer Capital/Maintenance Projects. The city seeks to hire a company to provide experienced program management services to assist the Water Services Department in managing a complex set of capital projects associated with two $250 million bond initiatives previously approved by voters. Included in the scope is a broad range of capital and maintenance-related projects to improve service delivery, minimize flooding and open areas of the city to future development. The partnering of Black & Veatch and Burns & McDonnell forms a hometown team of experts with world-class experience and more than 200 combined years of service in Kansas City. Both companies serve leading roles in the global market specializing in engineering, consulting and construction services. Work performed by both companies has made a substantial mark on the Kansas City area in recent years with a portfolio of projects that includes program management services for the Kansas City International Airport's Terminal Improvement Project, new downtown Sprint Arena, Capital Improvements Management Office, Truman Sports Complex Renovation Project, downtown entertainment district, Lake Lenexa stormwater management and recreation project, as well as projects for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities, Johnson County Wastewater and WaterOne...
• PennFuture files notice to sue five Lancaster County factory farms over water quality -- Farms fail to protect water from manure pollution -- HARRISBURG, PA, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) announced today that it had sent letters of intent to sue five factory farms in Lancaster County for their failure to comply with the federal Clean Water Act and/or Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law in the operations of their facilities. PennFuture is representing itself, Michael R. Helfrich who serves as the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper, and Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna Inc., a membership organization dedicated to improving the ecological health of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. The farms named in the letters include the Daniel Forry Farm in West Hempfield Township, the Gary Lefever Farm in East Donegal Township, the Holtwood Pork Farm in Holtwood, the Scott Brinton Farm in Fulton Township and the Steve Strickland Farm in Conoy Township...
Also see:
-- "Gov. Rendell Announces $81,000 Investment to Replace Water Supplies Affected by Abandoned Mines in Clearfield County"
-- "Grants Available for Water Resources Education Projects"
-- "PA Rural Water Association Announces 2007 Annual Conference, Rate Survey"
• Vigilistics founder to discuss energy sustainability at IDFA Dairy Forum -- Innovative use of information to achieve sustainable operations -- MISSION VIEJO, CA, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Vigilistics, a leader in providing systems for food and dairy processing plants, announces that Vigilistics Founder Craig Nelson will be speaking at the International Dairy Foods Association meeting: Dairy Forum '07. Craig Nelson led the development of the dairy industry's most comprehensive system for real-time operational intelligence, establishing new benchmarks for reducing energy waste, milk loss, and wastewater. In dairy processing plants, energy already is 40% of the cost of product, due to a doubling in natural gas prices over the last few years, says Ron Huffman, Director of Operations Analysis for Vigilistics. The company's energy-use analysis software for dairy processing plants looks at energy per unit at various production stages: evaporator, dryer, boiler, refrigeration, and pasteurization, in addition to milk loss reduction and product genealogy tracking and tracing...
• Pentair names Dr. Philip M. Rolchigo its vice president for water technology -- GOLDEN VALLEY, MN, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Pentair Inc. today announced the appointment of Dr. Philip M. Rolchigo as vice president of water technology for Pentair Water Group, effective immediately. Rolchigo most recently served as the global separation technologies leader for GE Water and Process Technologies (GE). In his new role, Dr. Rolchigo will report to Michael V. Schrock, Pentair president and chief operating officer. He has held a number of leadership roles in the water industry. At GE, he led the integration of the Osmonics and Ionics technology groups and built a global development team. He also led external research and development, and led six sigma initiatives throughout the technology organization. Prior to GE, Dr. Rolchigo served as the chief technology officer and, earlier, as vice president of research and development, at Osmonics Inc., and began his career at Membrex Inc. in progressively responsible research and development roles...
• Karla Olson Teasley appointed president of Illinois American Water -- Utility continues to strengthen local management team -- VOORHEES, NJ - Jan. 8, 2007 -- Karla Olson Teasley, a veteran water utility executive, has been appointed president of Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, the largest water services provider in North America. Teasley's appointment to the new position reflects the company's commitment to enhancing its community-oriented programs through strong local management. She'll work with regulatory agencies, community officials and customers as part of the company's enhanced local connection, while supporting a continued focus on operational integrity. She reports to American Water Central Region president Terry Gloriod, and will work with the company's external affairs, business development and service network teams. Prior to joining Illinois American Water, Teasley was vice president of Louisville Water Co. in Kentucky...
• Metropolitan Water District board chairman appoints new leadership positions -- LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Four new vice chairs for the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors, along with directors appointed to committee leadership posts, preside over their first sessions as the board holds its January meetings this week. Board Chairman Timothy F. Brick announced his appointments of the vice chairs at the board's December meeting. The new posts became effective Jan. 1, which also marked the beginning of a two-year term for board Secretary Judy Abdo, who was elected to her post last month by the board. Abdo, a former Santa Monica mayor and city council member, is a school administrator involved in various community groups. The four vice chairs are: Anthony Fellow, a representative of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and chair of the Department of Communications at the California State University, Fullerton; Marcie Edwards, representing the city of Anaheim, where she serves as general manager of the city Public Utilities Department; Carol Kwan of West Basin Municipal Water District, who serves as president of a Los Angeles-based, non-profit environmental organization and active in local Chinese chamber groups; and Joseph Parker, a 12-year member of the San Diego County Water Authority active in national scientific organizations and regional science fairs...
• Open Energy Corp. completes strategic planning process -- Company appoints Tom Wolfe as senior vice president of Engineering & Development; David Field in same role for Business Development; Jeff Stein promoted to vice president of Finance -- SOLANA BEACH, CA, Jan. 8, 2007 -- Open Energy Corp., a renewable energy company focused on the development of solar technologies that produce renewable energy, fresh water and related resources, today announced that they have completed a professional strategic planning process and are deploying senior personnel in order to more effectively achieve the company's business objectives. Tom Wolfe, founder of WaterEye, has designed and built membrane filtration, evaporation, crystallization and thermal systems around the world, and has the skills and expertise to head the commercialization of Open Energy's Suncone CSP water purification technology. Wolfe was formerly R&D director Resources Conservation Co., now a division of GE Water. He is the patent holder of WaterEye's remote monitoring software, which is currently being adapted to monitor Open Energy's photovoltaic installations. He holds an engineering degree from the University of California at San Diego...
• LuminUltra teams up with new distributor -- FREDERICTON, NB, Canada, Jan. 8, 2007 -- LuminUltra Technologies Ltd. is pleased to announce that it has acquired a new European distributor! AQUA-tools, a company based in Paris, France, has acquired the rights to distribute LuminUltra's products in the European market as well as Africa and the Middle East as of December 2006. AQUA-tools is excited to bring sales and support expertise for LuminUltra's products to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The CEO of AQUA-tools, Marc Raymond, brings many years of experience in the microbiological monitoring and control field to the marketing, sales, and support of LuminUltra's Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) based test kits. AQUA-tools will service all applications in these regions, including cooling water, industrial process water, sanitary wastewater, and biological wastewater treatment. LuminUltra's ATP test kits represent a revolutionary advancement in the ability to quickly and accurately measure total microbiological activity in any water or wastewater sample...
• Covanta starts design of Hillsborough County, Fla., waste-to-energy plant expansion -- Expansion will increase the facility's capacity to provide the citizens with a climate-friendly alternative for their waste and energy needs -- FAIRFIELD, NJ, Covanta Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corp., announced Jan. 2 it has received authorization from Hillsborough County to commence design and construction of a 50 percent capacity expansion of the Hillsborough County, FL Solid Waste-to-Energy Facility located near Brandon, FL. The 600 ton per day (TPD) capacity expansion to the existing County-owned 1,200 TPD waste-to-energy facility will be built and operated by Covanta Hillsborough Inc., an operating subsidiary of Covanta Energy. Covanta will oversee the design, construction and start-up of the expansion. Under terms of the extension operations and management agreement, Covanta will operate both the expansion and the original facility, which Covanta has been successfully operating since 1987, for another 20 years...
Also see: "Covanta leads efforts to fight climate change: Renewable energy giant joins California Climate Action Registry"
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