Articles by Debra K. Rubin

ENR Top List

2021 Top 200 Environmental Firms: Market is Whirlwind of Change

July 14, 2021

Pandemic and energy transition usher in new needs for firms' expertise as reality finally sets in on the globe's ecological fragility. See which firms made this year's list.

Energy

Feds Set $6M Construction Tech Boost for Nuclear Power

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

July 8, 2021

No Comments

DOE, GE Hitachi aim to adapt three technologies to cut costs 10% in next-gen reactor construction.

Clean Energy

NJ Makes Largest Combined US Offshore Wind Power Award

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

July 4, 2021

No Comments

Developers Orsted and Shell-EDF will build projects totaling 2,568 MW and boost supply chains, but onshore grid connections remain logistical and political challenge

LNG Canada Megaproject Ramps Up Amid Changing Energy Markets

Scott Van Voorhis

Debra K. Rubin

June 30, 2021

No Comments

Fluor-led work on B.C. natural gas export terminal, part of estimated $31-billion project, pushes ahead to make up for COVID-19 delay; but final investment decision for $8.1B Goldboro LNG project in Nova Scotia will not be made, developer said July 2.

US Supreme Court Backs $1B Pipeline, 5-4, in State Eminent Domain Battle

Mary B. Powers

Debra K. Rubin

June 29, 2021

No Comments

PennEast natural gas line from Pennsylvania to New Jersey has federal power to seize NJ-owned land, said justices, despite Justice Amy Coney Barrett-led dissent; project still lacks key approvals but industry welcomes ruling

Failures

Engineers Try to Fathom Factors Leading to Deadly Champlain Towers Collapse

June 26, 2021

A 2018 structural field survey report sheds light on the likely condition of the building at the time of the collapse, but says no repairs had been started as of June 2020.

Energy Construction

Terminated Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Site Closure Steps Are Still in Play

Competing Enbridge Line 3 wins much watched Minnesota ruling June 14 to continue construction

Debra K. Rubin

Corinne Grinapol

June 12, 2021

No Comments

Rival Enbridge Line 3 wins key Minnesota court ruling June 14 to move construction to expected year end completion, while scuttled $8B Keystone had tough road after Biden permit halt, as owner weighs options for pipe laid in Canada and stored.

Clean Energy Build

Feds Add NY-NJ Waters to Gulf of Mexico in Offshore Wind Development Spurt

Developer, public comment sought on energy projects in off NYC and four Gulf states; NC unveils first offshore wind goal

Debra K. Rubin

June 12, 2021

No Comments

Administration fast-tracks push for developer interest and public comment on energy projects in shallow waters southeast of New York City and off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama; NY projects would be built under labor pacts, with lease auctions possible before year end.

Exec News: McDermott CEO Resigns; CH2M, Bechtel Veteran Lee McIntire Takes Role

Debra K. Rubin

June 10, 2021

No Comments

No reason stated for energy contractor former chief's action; infrastructure leader Maria Lehman, elected ASCE 2022-23 president, intends to "right some of the wrongs in the profession right now," she said.

Environmental Justice

Will New Efforts Bring Equity to Communities Long Impacted and Underserved by Infrastructure?

June 10, 2021

Inequities exist in all sectors—from highway alignments to industrial sites and wastewater treatment plant locations—but finding solutions won’t be easy or without controversy.

Live: June 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT Contractors are modernizing preconstruction workflows to improve project readiness, reduce risk, and accelerate decision-making. This webinar explores how centralized project data, AI-powered document review, and connected workflows help teams improve coordination before construction begins.

Articles by Debra K. Rubin

2021 Top 200 Environmental Firms: Market is Whirlwind of Change

Feds Set $6M Construction Tech Boost for Nuclear Power

NJ Makes Largest Combined US Offshore Wind Power Award

LNG Canada Megaproject Ramps Up Amid Changing Energy Markets

US Supreme Court Backs $1B Pipeline, 5-4, in State Eminent Domain Battle

Engineers Try to Fathom Factors Leading to Deadly Champlain Towers Collapse

Terminated Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Site Closure Steps Are Still in Play

Feds Add NY-NJ Waters to Gulf of Mexico in Offshore Wind Development Spurt

Exec News: McDermott CEO Resigns; CH2M, Bechtel Veteran Lee McIntire Takes Role

Will New Efforts Bring Equity to Communities Long Impacted and Underserved by Infrastructure?

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