NASTT turns 25 in 2015! What was happening 25 years ago?
On December 7, 1990, Ted Turner and Jane Fonda announced their engagement.
On December 9, 1990, Lech Walesa won the presidental election in Poland.
On December 11, 1990, the United States’ 69th manned space mission STS 35 (Columbia 11) returned from space.
Check in every Friday in 2015 when NASTT posts more facts about 25 years ago…
Introducing Two Innovative Robotic Systems to Change the way Gas Utilities Manage Cast Iron Infrastructure
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., November 23, 2015 – ULC Robotics, Inc. and UK Gas Utility SGN are proud to introduce the next generation of pipeline robotics – the CIRRIS XITM and the CIRRIS XRTM Robotic Systems. These breakthrough robotic systems were strategically developed to allow gas utilities to extend the life of large diameter cast iron pipeline infrastructure. The systems, which are taking on one of the most challenging and sensitive pipeline environments, represent the next evolution of robotics in the gas industry, and are currently undergoing field testing in a live, cast iron gas main in London.
The CIRRIS XI™ Inspection Robot is a first-of-its-kind robotic system that internally assesses the condition of cast iron pipelines and collects critical pipeline integrity data that, before now, network operators were previously unable to obtain. The second robotic system, the CIRRIS XR™ Repair Robot, repairs leaks and prevents future leaks from occurring through the injection of sealant into the joints of the cast iron gas main. To minimize disruption to the public, both of these groundbreaking robots can carry out their work in live gas mains.
“ULC’s team of mechanical and electrical engineers, sensor scientists and precision machinists worked collaboratively with SGN’s innovation team to integrate the needs of the gas utilities with cutting-edge technologies to develop the CIRRIS XITM and the CIRRIS XRTM Robotic Systems,” said Gregory Penza, President and CEO, ULC Robotics, Inc. “The shared vision of making a positive impact to gas customers, the environment and to gas networks around the globe is what drove our teams to complete the two-year project.”
Cast iron pipelines are utilized throughout the United States, Europe and many other countries around the world, but due to their size, weight and inaccessibility can be very costly to replace. However, the thick pipe walls of large diameter cast iron gas mains are capable of providing safe and reliable service for hundreds of years. By entering the main through a very small excavation in the street and travelling hundreds of meters in either direction to assess and renew these gas mains, the CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ robots will deliver reduced public disruption and lower costs while fixing and preventing harmful gas leaks.
SGN Innovation and New Technology Manager, Gus McIntosh said, “We’re thrilled to be trialing the CIRRIS XI™ and XR™ Robotic System on live gas mains in London. It’s all part of how SGN is transforming the way they work in the street. SGN wants to develop innovative solutions to repair pipes that are causing issues now and identify others before they cause issues in the future.”
Find out more:
For additional information on the ULC Robotics and the CIRRIS XI™ and CIRRIS XR™ Robotic System please visit www.ulcrobotics.com or call 631-667-9200.
About SGN
SGN operates over 74,000km of gas mains and services in Scotland and the south of England. Whoever the supplier is, SGN has a responsibility to deliver gas safely, reliably and efficiently to all 5.8 million customers. For more information about SGN visit www.sgn.co.uk
About ULC Robotics, Inc.
ULC Robotics, Inc. is a leader in developing and deploying innovative robotic technology and processes that help pipeline operators and energy companies repair, inspect and assess their infrastructure. The deployment of ULC Robotics’ range of products and services helps to eliminate costly and disruptive excavation while eliminating gas leaks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving efficiency.
Both ULC Robotics and their clients have shared accolades for developing some of the most innovative products in the energy industry. Recognition includes a Robotics Business Review 2015 Game Changer Award in Construction, Mining and Energy, 2014 Energy Innovation Award for enabling gas utilities to deliver a safe and reliable supply of energy to customers and inclusion on the 2014 Top 50 Global Robotics Companies by Robotics Business Review. For more information on ULC Robotics, Inc. and its products and services please visit www.ulcrobotics.com
National wastewater collection systems firm, RJN, leads the field in innovation
Wheaton, IL, November 17, 2015 – Some anniversaries are a nod to surviving. Other anniversaries celebrate thriving.
For 40 years, RJN Group, a national wastewater collection systems engineering firm located in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, IL, has thrived. More specifically, it has led the way with innovative wastewater infrastructure solutions, helping to solve the nation’s aging infrastructure problems.
As the population grows and 100-year storms occur more frequently than ever before,
municipalities are desperate for solutions to ease their sewer overflow issues. Simply,
their aging infrastructures and growing service areas can’t manage these frequent
events.
“There’s only so much capacity you can put into a pipe, and it has to go somewhere,”
says Vice President Paul Costa. “Water is overflowing into rivers, streams, and
harbors or even into house basements.” A specialized wastewater collection system
engineering firm, RJN solves infrastructure issues using industry-accepted practices
enhanced by innovative technology, developed over the past 40 years. RJN was a
pioneer in utilizing computers to assist with the condition assessment of underground
infrastructure. Their technology allows them—and their clients—to have “eyes in the
sewer.”
RJN’s innovations are numerous. In 1979, RJN developed the Q vs. I technique for
estimating inflow during surcharge conditions. This logarithmic relationship has been
reinforced by decades of studies. Three years later, in 1982, RJN pioneered the dual blower smoke testing method which detects 5 to 7 times more defects than the
standard single blower technique. Today, RJN leverages the “cloud” and mobile
applications to expedite and communicate field data collection, analysis, and client
reporting.
RJN’s approach can be summed up in three short statements: “We have an idea. We
create. And we make it happen.” Their technology fuses creativity and execution to
provide cost-effective solutions to communities under duress. According to Al
Hollenbeck, CEO at RJN, “The technology ensures that the dollars municipalities are
investing truly result in improvements to the underground infrastructure.”
To celebrate their 40 years of innovation, RJN has produced a video that highlights
their expansion from a local Chicago firm in 1975 to a national firm with branches
spanning the United States today. https://www.rjn.com/news-and-events/265-
celebrating-40-years-of-innovation
Ranked by Engineering News-Record as a Top 200 Environmental Firm and a Top 500
Design Firm, RJN continues to bring innovation to bear on our nation’s greatest
infrastructure challenges. Its work directly affects the quality of life and prosperity of
millions of Americans. Building partnerships with municipalities around the nation,
RJN rehabilitates infrastructure that supports public health, protects the environment,
and encourages economic development.
For more information on RJN’s innovation and approach to providing collection
system solutions, visit www.rjn.com.
Bowman to Lead with ‘Drive, Innovation and Collaborative Spirit’
WASHINGTON, D.C.(Nov. 24, 2015) – The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America, today announced that Andrew Bowman will assume the role of president starting Feb. 10, 2016.
“The Alliance’s board of directors is thrilled that Mr. Bowman has agreed to take on this critical role,” said Laura Johnson, Alliance board chair. “He embodies the drive, innovation and collaborative spirit that will lead the Land Trust Alliance and the land trust community to dramatically increase the impact of conservation in America.”
Bowman currently serves as the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation’s (DDCF) program director for the environment. During his 10 years at DDCF, he developed and obtained approval for more than $100 million in grants. Born and raised in California, Bowman earned a master’s degree in city and regional planning at the University of California at Berkeley, a Master of Laws in environmental and natural resources at the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College and a Juris Doctor degree at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
“The Alliance is an incredible organization that, over the last decade, has put in place critical programs and created key entities to serve the land trust community and ensure that land conservation is conducted with rigor, professionalism and integrity,” Bowman said. “It taps into the expertise and creativity of the staff, board members and supporters of its more than 1,100 member land trusts to advance land conservation in the U.S.”
Bowman said he’s particularly optimistic about the many opportunities to build a stronger conservation field in America. At DDCF, he conceived and launched major initiatives that diversified the conservation workforce by engaging young people from underrepresented, urban communities; reconciled the needs of wildlife with increased renewable energy development on public and private lands; and built a sustainable agriculture system in the greater New York City area that benefits people and wildlife.
“Private land conservation represents one of the few areas of strong bipartisan support for environmental protection,” Bowman said. “People of different backgrounds and political persuasions regularly join together to protect the places they all love. I’m truly excited to be part of such a positive, proactive movement.”
Among those to praise Bowman’s selection as the Alliance’s new president was his former instructor and longtime land conservation advocate, Bill Hutton.
“The Alliance’s choice of Andrew Bowman brings to the land trust community an experienced conservationist whose first steps on the path to the Alliance presidency may have been taken twenty-plus years ago in my land trusts seminar at Hastings,” said Bill Hutton, emeritus professor at Hastings College of the Law. “His passion for land conservation was evident even then, and he served as one of a small cadre of student editors who helped to launch The Back Forty—the Newsletter of Land Conservation Law. We should be most grateful for the wisdom of the Alliance’s search committee.”
“Andrew Bowman is a fantastic choice for the Land Trust Alliance,” said Mark Burget, North America managing director for The Nature Conservancy. “I have known and greatly admired Andrew for many, many years. He has devoted much of his life to the future of our lands and waters, a great service to nature and people across the country and indeed far beyond. And he has done so with his wonderful blend of intense intellect and graceful kindness. As our conservation community looks to an even brighter future, Andrew Bowman is the perfect person to take the reins at the Alliance.”
“Mr. Bowman has acted as a catalyst for groundbreaking conservation initiatives,” said Michael Dowling, chair of the search committee for the Alliance’s board of directors. “In his role at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, he provided critical grants to major Alliance initiatives such as accreditation, Terrafirma, and our national land trust excellence program. Andrew has deep knowledge of private land conservation and models the best ‘servant leader’ tradition of the Alliance.”
About the Land Trust Alliance
Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents more than 1,100 member land trusts supported by more than 100,000 volunteers and 5 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C. and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at www.landtrustalliance.org.
NASTT turns 25 in 2015! What was happening 25 years ago?
On December 2, 1990, the first parliamentary election in newly reunified Germany was held.
Also on December 2, 1990, it was the first time 12 people were in space at the same time!
On December 4, 1990, due to Persian Gulf crisis, gas hit $1.60 per gallon price in NYC.
Check in every Friday in 2015 when NASTT posts more facts about 25 years ago…
Saltville, Virginia – Reline America has appointed Jamie Doane as Reline America’s Assistant 
Equipment Manager. Jamie has just celebrated his eight year anniversary with Reline. He began his career with Reline in 2007 as an Electrical and Ultra Violet Technician. Jamie’s long term career at Reline has made him a valuable asset.
Jamie is a local resident of Saltville and attended the local Northwood High School. He continued his education at Virginia Highlands Community College and holds a Virginia State Master Electrician License.
Jamie said, “The best part of my job here is the people I work with. I really enjoy the control end of the electrical and computer processes. I like the challenge of software trouble shooting.”