Financial milestone for Rutherford utility

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on November 11, 2009 at 9:10 am

Standard & Poor’s has given the Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County its first-ever AAA rating.

This AAA/Stable rating was awarded as CUCRC prepared for the sale of $15 million in 20-year bonds. The proceeds will help to refinance the utility’s previous debt which was used to improve its system which serves almost 43,000 customers in Rutherford County. The bond monies will also be used to provide additional capital for ongoing projects.

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Tags: Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County, debt offerings, debt ratings, infrastructure, Rutherford County, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, water  

Home builder agrees to EPA settlement

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on November 10, 2009 at 8:36 am

After being charged with Clean Water Act violations, John Wieland Homes will pay $350,000 and implement a far-reaching stormwater management plan at its construction sites. The EPA says its deal with John Wieland will keep 37 million pounds of sediment per year out of various waterways.

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Tags: Clean Water Act, construction, environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, government regulation, housing market, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods Inc., residential real estate, U.S. Department of Justice, water  

Millions of stimulus dollars for area water projects

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on October 27, 2009 at 8:03 am

Officials in Nashville, Franklin and Dickson County can expect a stimulus check in the mail for water and wastewater system improvements. The total money being allocated to the three as part of the third round of Recovery Act spending is a shade under $14 million.

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Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Dickson County, Franklin, government stimulus, infrastructure, Metro government, water  

Nashville firm to rebuild Dickson water plant

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on October 6, 2009 at 7:40 am

Kimbro Oil Co. has acquired the Vanleer-based company that makes StoneClear Springs water. The company, which is rebuilding a plant that burned down in May, runs a water business focused on fund-raising.

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Tags: Dickson County, Kimbro Oil Co., Kimbro Water Co., manufacturing, StoneClear Springs, water  

Area water infrastructure projects land loans

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on September 4, 2009 at 7:07 am

The Tennessee Local Development Authority has approved $37 million in loans to various projects around the state. The money’s coming in part from federal stimulus programs. The Nashville area is getting the following:

Town of Smyrna (Rutherford County) –for green-treated wastewater reuse and new storage tank project. Total: $5,750,000. Loan: 20-year loan for $3,450,000. Interest Rate: 2.14 percent. Principal Forgiveness: $2,300,000.

City of White House (Robertson/Sumner Counties) – for construction of approximately 2,500 LF of gravity sewer lines, 2,500 LF of force main, 16 manholes, and a new duplex sewer lift station at Copes Crossing to replace the existing Tyree Springs sewer lift station. Total: $1,000,000. Loan: 20-year loan for $600,000. Interest Rate: 1.77 percent. Principal Forgiveness: $400,000.

Madison Suburban Utility District (Davidson County) – for green-water treatment plant improvements with sustainable practices for water and energy efficiency via the automation and integration of processes and equipment and the conversion from chlorine gas to liquid bleach. Total: $1,100,000. Loan: 20-year loan for $660,000. Interest Rate: 2.86 percent. Principal Forgiveness: $440,000.

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Tags: Davidson County, government stimulus, infrastructure, Madison, Robertson County, Rutherford County, Smyrna, Sumner County, water, White House  

Water stimulus cash on its way

By Geert De Lombaerde Posted on June 10, 2009 at 11:14 am

Gov. Bredesen has signed legislation that helps the state clear the way for various clean-water infrastructure projects to get going.

The debt forgiveness provision means part of the funding distributed to communities, water authorities and utilities will be in the form of a grant, which does not need to be repaid. Tennessee’s allocations from EPA are expected to be approximately $59 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to fund planning, design and construction of wastewater facilities and approximately $20 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to fund planning, design and construction of drinking water facilities.

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Tags: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, infrastructure, Philip Norman 'Phil' Bredesen, water