Nick Pero Joins USDI, Expanding Operations in Ohio and Pennsylvania
USDI is growing our team with the addition of Nick Pero. He will be taking on the role of Director of Operations for Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as serving as Vice President of Strategy. With over 15 years of experience in the natural gas industry, Nick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization.
A graduate of the University of Akron with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, Nick also holds an MBA-Finance from Ohio University. His diverse educational background, paired with his extensive industry experience, makes him the perfect fit for leading our operations in the Ohio and Pennsylvania region.
Prior to joining USDI, Nick spent over a decade at Dominion Energy where he held several roles including measurement engineer, various leadership roles across pipeline operations, innovation, and sustainability. He later joined an engineering and construction firm where he worked with the leadership team to develop and implement the innovation and sustainability strategy with focus areas of methane capture, hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and carbon capture.
In his new role, Nick will be responsible for overseeing USDI’s operations across these states, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and growth. He will also collaborate closely with our leadership team to develop and execute strategic initiatives that will drive the company’s expansion.
We are confident that Nick’s leadership and strategic mindset will greatly contribute to our continued success. Join us in welcoming Nick to the USDI family and stay tuned for more exciting developments in the Ohio and Pennsylvania region!
Accurately Measure Your System’s Odorant Concentration
USDI has purchased equipment that has the ability to accurately measure the odorant concentration that is in your gas stream. Proper Odorization is the first and last line of protection in making your system safe for your customers. This instrument can accurately quantify the concentration of odorant in a gas stream in LBS/MMCF. While sniff tests and odorant calculations are still required by code, confirming the chemical concentration of odorant in your gas stream is a powerful piece of supplemental information for liability protection in the event of an incident. This equipment can also help you adjust new and existing odorizer settings to make sure you are not putting in too little or too much odorant into a given gas stream. Measurements are completed in minutes and time/date stamped electronic records are created for record retention. Please contact Darin Houchin, at 618-392-5502 or Darin@usdi.us to schedule a trained technician to perform testing.
USDI teams with Eagle Research to provide real time measurement, pressure monitoring and other system monitoring solutions
Did you know USDI can provide you with an end to end solution for monitoring pressures, gas volumes and other operational data? All the information is accessible via the SharePoint site we already maintain for you accessible from anywhere, anytime. Custom high and/or low-pressure alarms can be sent to you via text and/or email. Daily volumes from large or transport customers is available almost immediately after the gas day ends. You don’t have to mess with cables, software, printouts, report storage etc. USDI takes care of it all for one low monthly fee. Let us know today if you are interested!
USDI opens office in Kirksville, MO!
USDI is opening its 8th office August 1, 2022 in Kirksville, MO. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) developers and operators are increasing relying on USDI for pipeline design, construction and operation and USDI is growing in Northern Missouri to help meet that need. Several members of USDI’s design team will office in Kirksville adding to the depth of our bench so we can better serve existing and new customers including traditional utilities, intrastate transmission pipeline owners and our newer RNG clientele. If you need assistance or have questions about how USDI can help you with your plans or existing system give us a call or drop us a line.
Anthony Everette, P.E.
210 N Elson St. Suite C
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-474-0779 (o)
618-407-8320 (c)
aeverette@usdi.us
USDI Expands with New Office in Princeton, MN
We are pleased to announce the opening of our newest office in Princeton, MN. Rick Clyne, MN Operations Manager, now has a building to perform hands on training, operator qualification performance evaluations and welder performance qualifications. We are looking forward to how this space can help us strengthen assistance to our current and future Northern clients! Check out the building here, here, and here!
USDI – Your Complete Odorization Solution
USDI stocks Chevron Phillips S20, E, and H-85 Odorant Blends at several locations in the Midwest. Find out more about our Odorant Services here.
USDI Now in Minnesota
With the recent hiring of Rick Clyne (almost 30 years experience with CenterPoint Energy/Minnegasco), USDI has now set up shop in Princeton, Minnesota. Having experience with Operations, Installations, and Maintenance, Rick is ready to help clients solve their day to day regulatory and operations problems. Call (660-474-0789) or email (rclyne@usdi.us) Rick to get in touch.
USDI Completes New Office in Pittsboro, IN
We are pleased to announce the opening of our newest office in Pittsboro, IN. We are basing pipeline safety compliance as well as construction specialists in Pittsboro to support our Indiana clients. Mike Martin, a veteran of the US Army, Miller Pipeline and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission is currently heading up the office. If you need any assistance, Mike can be reached at 317-417-3374.
USDI Expands 192.GIS Taskforce
Danny Deimel has joined USDI to support the continued evolution of 192.GIS and the large number of clients who are adopting it to assist them in the transition to using technology to better record and store gas system and compliance records.
Deimel is a 2018 graduate from the University of Illinois. There he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he worked for a year an a half in the auto industry. During his previous work experience he worked on various projects where he gained insight into customer expectations and the importance of paying attention to details, which will make him a valuable asset to the 192.GIS team.
Construction Complete on Shelbyville, KY Office Location
USDI has completed construction of its newest office and shop in Shelbyville, KY. The 9,000 square foot building is located at 1018 Mt. Vernon Drive in the recently developed Hi-Point Industrial Park. Centrally located between Louisville, Frankfort, and Lexington, USDI will continue to grow and expand its natural gas engineering, construction, and operating services to better serve our customers in Kentucky and the surrounding states.
USDI Expands Wichita, KS Capability
Andrew Smith has joined the USDI team and will be based in our Wichita, KS office. Andrew is a Kansas State graduate engineer who comes to us from Haliburton where he led a drilling tool team. We are excited for Andrew and for our ability to better serve our current and future clients in the Kansas/Oklahoma area. You can contact Andrew at (316) 305-6464.
USDI Expands OQ Services Department
USDI has named Homer Gardner Director of OQ Services. Homer joins the USDI team from Baker Hughes where he served as a Veriforce evaluator. Homer is based in Olney, IL and is a MEA trained evaluator for USDI’s OQ Program based on the B31Q Covered Task List. USDI offers complete OQ services including written plans, covered task identification, independent third party evaluator services and entry level classroom OQ training, testing and evaluation course designed to give new or experienced persons training and evaluation on a list of tasks that should allow them to provide emergency response capability at most utilities. For more information regarding USDI’s OQ offering, please contact Homer at (618) 392-5502 or on his cell phone at (618) 354-1912.
US GYPSUM Chooses USDI
USG was looking for a company who could provide a complete package of pipeline operating, maintenance and compliance expertise at a reasonable cost. For its pipelines serving plants in Bridgeport, AL, Aliquippa and Washingtonville, PA as well as Ft. Dodge, IA USG has chosen USDI as that company.
USG is North America’s leading producer and distributor of gypsum wallboard, joint compound and a vast array of related products for the construction and remodeling industries. USG is also the global leader in the manufacture of ceiling suspension systems and are recognized as the premier acoustical panel and specialty ceiling systems innovator. USG’s family of products provides creative building solutions that set new standards for productivity and efficiency, helping contractors and architects deliver high quality and innovative designs. USG also owns intrastate and interstate transmission natural gas pipelines that supply its facilities in several locations.
USDI is excited about the opportunity to assist USG in operating safe and compliant pipelines.
USDI Opens Kansas Office
USDI is please to announce the opening of a new office in Kansas.
Our address is:
USDI820 N Main STE 103
Wichita, KS 67203
USDI will provide construction and pipeline system operational support for clients in Kansas and neighboring states from our new office in Wichita. We also want to welcome the manager of construction activities in the Wichita office:
Andrew SmithCell: 316-305-6464
Email: asmith@usdi.us
We are happy to have Andrew as part of our team. We look forward to our expanded capabilities to serve natural gas pipeline and distribution system operators in Kansas and neighboring states. Please contact us with any questions or needs you might have.
Ameren Selects USDI!
Ameren Corporation is the parent company of Ameren Illinois, based in Collinsville, Ill., and Ameren Missouri in St. Louis. Ameren Transmission Company, also based in St. Louis, designs and builds regional transmission projects. Ameren was created by the combination of three Illinois utilities (CIPSCO Incorporated, CILCO Inc. and Illinois Power Company) and Union Electric Company of St. Louis. The name comes from combining the words American and Energy.
Employing more than 8,500 personnel, Ameren powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers across 64,000-square-mile area. Ameren Missouri ranks as the largest electric power provider in Missouri, and Ameren Illinois ranks as Illinois’ third largest natural gas distribution operation in total number of customers.
Ameren has chosen USDI to provide Operator of Record pipeline O and M services including all aspects of compliance with Part 192 and state pipeline safety codes for four of its pipelines supplying natural gas to generating plants in Illinois and Missouri. USDI is looking forward to working with Ameren to provide these services in a professional and efficient manner.
Location Information:
Goose Creek
- Located near Monticello, IL in Piatt County
- Approximately 3,485 of 16 steel pipe and associated facilities
- Operating Pressure: 400 psig
- MAOP: 773 psig
- Approximately 3,485 of 16 steel pipe and associated facilities
Raccoon Creek
- Located near Flora, IL in Clay County
- Approximately 30,624 of 16 steel pipe and associated facilities
- Operating Pressure: 750 psig
- MAOP: 913 psig
- Approximately 30,624 of 16 steel pipe and associated facilities
Kinmundy
- Located near Patoka, IL in Marion County
- Approximately 3,696 of 12 steel pipe and associated facilities
- Operating Pressure: 775 psig
- MAOP: 858 psig
- Approximately 3,696 of 12 steel pipe and associated facilities
Peno Creek
- Located near Bowling Green, MO in Pike County
- Approximately 22,213 of 12 steel pipe and associated facilities
- Operating Pressure: 700 psig
- MAOP: 900 psig
- Approximately 22,213 of 12 steel pipe and associated facilities
Jason Brangers, P.E. Joins USDI
After nearly nine years as Program Manager for the Pipeline Safety Branch at the Kentucky Public Service Commission, Jason Brangers, P.E. will be joining the USDI team.
Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1995 and became a licensed professional engineer in 2000. After graduating from UK, Jason worked for an engineering/surveying firm as well as GPS/GIS consulting firm where he began working closely with utility companies, local governments, and public safety officials. Jason became a Trimble GPS Certified Trainer and served as project manager for countywide enhanced-911 projects, utility facility inventory projects, storm and sewer data collection projects, and road inventory projects for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 2004 Jason went to work for the Kentucky PSC as a Public Service Engineer in the Engineering Division’s Water/Wastewater Branch and was responsible for leading and managing water and sewer construction cases, evaluating engineering plan and specifications to determine public convenience and necessity, provide engineering support to branch utility investigators on complaints, inspections, and accidents, and consulted with utility representatives, municipalities, and others seeking technical advice pertaining to Commission rules and regulations.
In 2005 Jason accepted the position of Program Manager for the Pipeline Safety Branch at the PSC where he was responsible for administering the natural gas pipeline safety program for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In this role, Jason supervised four inspectors and one engineering technician in the oversight of approximately 230 jurisdictional natural gas utilities and coordinated all activities related to the pipeline safety program. Jason served as Kentucky’s representative to the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives (NAPSR) where he also served as vice-chairman (2010-2011) and chairman (2012) of NAPSR’s Southern Region. Jason is very active in pipeline safety and served as NAPSR’s Liaison Committee Chairman, Co-Primary on CGA’s Best Practices Committee, Kentucky811 Board Member, and team member on NARUC’s Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety.
Jason is alumni of the 2005 Leadership P.E. Program as well as the 2009 Kentucky Certified Public Manager Program. Jason worked closely with the Kentucky Gas Association (KGA) and was a guest speaker at many of its conferences, expos and workshops. In 2013 the KGA Education Committee presented Jason with the Ernest Murphy Training for Excellence Award for “Outstanding Contributions Toward Training In Gas Pipeline Operations and Safety in Kentucky”.
When Jason is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children. Jason is also an avid woodworker and serves as Vice-President and Program Director for KYANA Woodcrafters, Inc., a local woodworking club.
Jason will be located in Kentucky and is available to assist you with the compliance, operation and maintenance of your utility. USDI provides engineering, design, Part 192 compliance including all plans and manuals, OQ training and qualification, leak and cathodic protection surveys, regulator station design, testing and installation, odorant and odorization, welding, tapping and stopping and other construction services to natural gas utilities, pipelines and master meter operators.
Lincoln Electric System Chooses USDI!
Project Overview
In 2004 the City of Lincoln Solid Waste Division and the Lincoln Electric System (LES) began evaluating options for utilizing the methane generated at the Bluff Road Landfill. In 2010 the City of Lincoln decided to install a gas collection system for the Bluff Road Landfill facility. On November 8, 2011, the City and LES signed a landfill gas purchase agreement providing for the delivery of landfill gas, which is approximately 50% methane) from the Bluff Road Landfill to the Terry Bundy Generating Station for use in power generation and other applications as appropriate. LES contracted with a consultant to design a landfill gas based power generating facility (including gas conditioning equipment and pipeline). The system will condition the gas at the landfill and then transport the gas to the Terry Bundy Generating Station via an approximately 2.8 mile long lateral for utilization in spark ignited internal combustion engines driving electrical generators. The total plant capacity is expected to be near 4 MW based on projected landfill gas supply of approximately 1300 standard cubic feet per minute. In 2012, LES contracted with USDI to perform construction inspection of the pipeline installation, start-up services and complete operation of the pipeline. As of December 2012 the pipeline is under construction with startup expected in the summer of 2013. Prior to startup USDI will patrol the pipeline, respond to one call dig requests, create and submit all required plans and manuals to the state regulatory authority for approval.
Location
Lincoln, Nebraska
Key pipeline stats
16” Diameter HDPE
MAOP = 66 psig
Ongoing USDI Services
Leak survey
Key component inspection & maintenance
Pipeline patrols & continuing surveillance
Emergency response
Annual report submissions, document and plan upkeep
Public Awareness
Participation at state safety & field pipeline safety compliance audits
Pipeline locating