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US-Based ULC Robotics’ CISBOT Robot is Deployed Underground for UK Gas Utility SGN
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., June 17, 2015 – ULC Robotics, a leading robotics, energy services and 
research and development company focused on the energy and utility industries, has deployed its Cast Iron Joint Sealing Robot (CISBOT) for the first time in Scotland on iconic George Street in Edinburgh. Similar to Fifth Avenue in New York City, the visitors and high-end shop owners along George Street are not likely to notice CISBOT because the robot is virtually invisible.
In conjunction with UK gas distribution network SGN, CISBOT will carry out advanced maintenance in more than 1,965 feet of gas pipe that delivers gas to businesses and residents in one of the city’s most high profile and central locations. Unlike traditional methods of rehabilitating or replacing cast iron gas mains, ULC’s CISBOT robot enters the live, large diameter cast iron gas mains through small excavation and the robot’s advanced technology enables it to repair joints while minimizing disruption to the public.
“In George Street, we’ll be carrying out maintenance on around 1,965 feet of gas pipe. The work will take around six weeks, however the use of this technology will make a difference in minimizing disruption, as we will only need to make two excavations in the road,” said Matt Ferguson, Team Manager for SGN. “In fact, 96% of our work will be unseen as it will take place under the ground.”
By using ULC’s CISBOT robotic technology on George Street, the non-intrusive work performed on live gas mains means that many businesses along the busy section of the street benefit because their gas services remain intact and online during the procedure. Furthermore, the work done with CISBOT reduces the risk for gas leaks and because there are no large-scale excavations, greenhouse gas emissions are greatly reduced.
“Gas utilities in the United States and in the UK are dedicated to making pipeline safety and reliability a paramount priority,” said Gregory Penza, President of ULC Robotics. “CISBOT technology helps gas utilities, such as SGN, maintain the safety and reliability of large diameter cast iron gas mains by renewing the joints, where gas is most likely to escape.”
In addition to the George Street project, ULC Robotics performs year-round operations for SGN and now has two CISBOT systems dedicated to the gas utility’s field operations.
CISBOT is currently operated on two continents in highly populated areas including London, Edinburgh, New York City, Boston to seal joints in live gas mains.
About ULC Robotics, Inc.
ULC Robotics, Inc. is a leader in developing and deploying innovative 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 2014 UK 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
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
Video of CISBOT in Pipeline: http://youtu.be/JnKWZrll10E
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Release Date: 06/16/2015
Contact Information: Chesapeake Bay Trust: Molly Alton Mullins 410-271-3469 mmullins@cbtrust.org; EPA: David Sternberg at 215-814-5548 sternberg.david@epa.gov
BALTIMORE – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, announced $727,500 in grants to be awarded to 15 organizations through the Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs Grant Initiative (G3). This program was created in 2011 to encourage local jurisdictions to use “green” techniques when pursuing necessary “gray” infrastructure projects, accomplishing two goals within one project.
These collaborative efforts advance watershed protection and economic improvement through the development of stormwater management techniques, green jobs creation, beautification of neighborhoods, and community enhancement. Today’s announcement includes seven projects designed to improve the city of Baltimore specifically, as well as eight other initiatives in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and elsewhere throughout Maryland.
“These funds contribute to a sustainable green economy by supporting a continuous cycle of pollution prevention, water retention and job creation – leading to a better quality of life for the people who call these communities home,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “By keeping rain water from coming into contact with pollution in the first place, green infrastructure improves the health of our waters, while effectively reducing flooding, and helping our communities adapt to the very real challenges of climate change.”
Sarah’s Hope, a homeless shelter and the site for today’s grant announcement, is one of 15 grant recipients through a partnership with Parks and People Foundation. Their $75,000 grant will tie into a larger Baltimore City-led renovation and expansion project that will reduce the amount of impervious surface on the site; contribute to public open space, playground space, and community garden space; and beautify the street and help change the appearance of the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood.
In addition to the project at Sarah’s Hope, the other grantees announced today will lead efforts that include the removal of impervious concrete, the expansion of urban tree canopies, the creation of bioretention cells, and many other green infrastructure practices.
“The Chesapeake Bay Trust has been so pleased to partner with EPA and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources on this program, combining forces and resources to provide opportunities for area residents to make a difference in their own neighborhoods and for their local waterways and community spaces,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We want to provide local jurisdictions and neighborhood associations the tools and incentives to use green techniques when embarking on larger infrastructure projects, and to replace impervious surface with green where we can.”
The G3 Grant Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, helps support President Obama’s Executive Order for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay. Its purpose is to improve local, grassroots-level greening efforts by towns and communities in urbanized watersheds that reduce stormwater runoff through the creation of “green streets,” the increase in urban green spaces, and the reduction of impervious surfaces. This program is open to local governments, non-profit organizations, and neighborhood/community associations focused on green stormwater management retrofits with grants available up to $20,000 for research efforts, $30,000 for design, and $75,000 for implementation projects.
“DNR is proud to support this collaborative program,” said DNR Secretary Mark Belton. “These projects will reduce stormwater runoff not only here in Maryland, but also in other bay states like Pennsylvania and Virginia. This expanded reach beyond just Maryland is the true strength of the partnership. Through G3, we can work together – at the federal, state and local levels − to better the greater Bay watershed.”
Today’s 2015 Green Streets grant announcements include:
1. Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association, Baltimore, $10,795
2. Friends of the North Fork Shenandoah River, Virginia, $43,615
3. Baltimore Tree Trust, Baltimore, $35,000
4. Second Chance, Inc., Baltimore, $30,000
5. Blue Water Baltimore, Baltimore, $74,826
6. Land and Cultural Preservation, Inc., Frederick, Md., $14,315
7. Community Action Commission, Pennsylvania, $70,000
8. City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, $60,000
9. Old Goucher Community Association, Baltimore, $99,068
10. City of Staunton, Virginia, $75,000
11. American Rivers, Regional, $19,880
12. West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc., Edgewater, Md., $30,000
13. Town of Edmonston, Edmonston, Md., $15,000
14. Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore, $75,000
15. Highlandtown Community Association, Baltimore, $75,000
For more information on the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns grant program, please visit www.cbtrust.org/grants/g3. For a complete list of project descriptions, email mmullins@cbtrust.org.
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NASTT turns 25 in 2015! What was happening 25 years ago?
On June 15, 1990, “Dick Tracy” with Warren Beatty & Madonna premiered in theaters.
On June 16, 1990, “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer peaked at #8.
On June 20, 1990, Asteroid Eureka was discovered.
Check in every Friday in 2015 when NASTT posts more fun facts about 25 years ago…
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AURORA, Ill. – Burst and replace water, sewer, gas and other pipes with the Grundoburst static pipe bursting system from TT Technologies. The Grundoburst can pull in a variety of replacement pipe including PVC, DIP, ABS, cast iron, fusion welded HDPE and VCP jacking pipe.
The Grundoburst static pipe bursting system utilizes a specially designed bladed cutter head to make bursting ductile iron and steel pipe possible. Pulled by a hydraulic bursting unit, the cutter head’s special cutting wheels split the host pipe. An attached expander spreads and displaces the split pipe into the surrounding soil while simultaneously pulling in the new pipe.
Patented QuickLock bursting rods are linked together not threaded. This saves time, prevents twisting and extends the life of the cutter head over threaded bursting rods.
Six Grundoburst models are available for bursting 2-inch through 54-inch pipes and larger.
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Rye Brook, NY, June 4, 2015 – The growing global population and increasing urbanization continue to place greater strain on natural resources. As a leading global water technology company, Xylem (NYSE: XYL) is committed to solving water, which is a pre-condition for advancing sustainability in all its forms. Today, Xylem outlined its latest progress and future ambitions in its 2014 Sustainability Report, published here.
“Sustainability is the only way forward for us. It applies to what we do and how we do it. We believe that being a global leader in the water industry and a champion for sustainability are inextricably linked,” said Patrick Decker, President and CEO of Xylem. “Our sustainability goals are directly tied to our business operations and reflect our corporate culture. From water intake to return, we help to address the present-day needs of our stakeholders without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Xylem has implemented a strategic framework to ensure that its sustainability actions support its business strategy. In the report, the Company details ambitious five-year sustainability goals, which include reducing water use by 25 percent, greenhouse gas emission intensity by 20 percent, and waste to landfill by 20 percent. In addition, Xylem aims to increase its vitality index – or percentage of sales from new, more energy-efficient products – by 2 percent each year, and bolster the impact of Xylem Watermark, the Company’s corporate citizenship program, through increased employee engagement.
Xylem’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the Company’s recently published Climate Change Policy, which highlights the imperative of working with stakeholders to increase water productivity, water quality and resilience in order to directly and indirectly mitigate the impact of climate change. Xylem’s Climate Change Policy outlines how the Company is developing solutions that will dramatically improve the efficiency of managing water and wastewater, and help communities to build greater resiliency.
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water in public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural settings. The company does business in more than 150 countries through a number of market-leading product brands, and its people bring broad applications expertise with a strong focus on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems. Xylem is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York with 2014 revenues of $3.9 billion and more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Xylem was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the last three years for advancing sustainable business practices and solutions worldwide.
The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all — that which occurs in nature. For more information, please visit us at www.xylem.com.
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WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the winner of its Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability Award to Joshua Zhou of Chapel Hill, N.C. for his work to develop a sustainable, affordable solution to improve water quality and reduce pollution.
Zhou, a sophomore at East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, N.C., created a low cost semiconductor using natural light to reduce pollutants from combustion that enter waterways, which are often drinking water sources.
“Through EPA’s Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability award, the agency is encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers to put their passion for innovation to work to help us tackle our most pressing global challenges,” said Tom Burke, deputy assistant administrator for research in EPA’s Office of Research and Development and the Agency’s science advisor. “EPA is proud to recognize and encourage students who are working to protect public health and our environment for generations to come.”
Zhou was selected from 1,702 student scientists and engineers competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA. for his project, “Low-cost Heteronanostructure Semiconductor Uses Visible Light Energy to Efficiently Degrade Toxins Threatening Aquatic Life.” By receiving the EPA’s Hurd Sustainability Award, Zhou will participate in the National Sustainable Design Expo in 2016.
The award funds the student winner and a chaperone to participate in and display the student’s project at the EPA’s National Sustainable Design Expo.
More information about EPA’s participation in the Intel ISEF:
http://www2.epa.gov/research/intel-international-science-and-engineering-fair
Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn Milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355
More information about the Intel ISEF: http://www.societyforscience.org/ISEF/
research and development company focused on the energy and utility industries, has deployed its Cast Iron Joint Sealing Robot (CISBOT) for the first time in Scotland on iconic George Street in Edinburgh. Similar to Fifth Avenue in New York City, the visitors and high-end shop owners along George Street are not likely to notice CISBOT because the robot is virtually invisible.
