Industry News

US Supreme Court Overrules Chevron Doctrine

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled a longstanding precedent set in 1984 with Chevron vs. Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the most cited cases in American law. More than 17,000 lower court cases and 70 Supreme Court decisions were based on Chevron.

The principle of the 1984 ruling allowed regulatory agencies the power to interpret laws that were left vague and open to interpretation by Congress. The thinking was that Congress couldn’t anticipate all the consequences of laws it passed, and as such the regulatory agencies would be in a position to make those interpretations.

This ruling shifts the responsibility to the Courts, especially when a statute is ambiguous. “Courts must exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the majority opinion.

He said that the ruling does not question prior cases that relied on the precedent, but going forward lower courts “may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous.”

While there are anticipated to be many legal battles on past cases and regulations, today’s ruling does certainly apply to future regulations and provides an avenue for many legal challenges, especially in cases of regulatory overreach that many manufacturers and others may have experienced.

Manufacturers Challenge Costly Water Standard

The National Association of Manufacturers, joined by the American Chemistry Council, filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule setting individual standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, in municipal water systems.

“Manufacturers support common-sense regulations on PFAS that recognize the criticality of these substances across several industrial sectors — for many of these critical applications, there are no viable alternatives,” said NAM Chief Legal Officer Linda Kelly. “What the EPA did, however, was to bulldoze ahead with standards that set an acceptable level for PFAS at near zero — which is wholly infeasible and threatens these vital substances’ continued application in manufacturing processes. In doing so, the EPA relied on a deeply flawed cost-benefit analysis and failed to follow the clear-cut statutory procedures required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, among other substantive and procedural deficiencies. The NAM Legal Center is filing suit to overturn this unachievable standard and protect manufacturing operations and jobs across the country.”

Automation Group Rebranded as E Tech Group

E Tech Group, a leader in providing high-quality automation, control and engineering services for industrial clients and Gold Certified Rockwell Automation Partner, announced that the brand formerly called Automation Group has been renamed as E Tech Group. E Tech Group’s acquisition of Automation Group was finalized on October 3, 2023.

Effective immediately, the brand formerly known as Automation Group will operate under the name E Tech Group, unifying the two entities under one market-leading brand. The transition to the new name will be seamless for clients and partners. All existing commitments remain in place, ensuring continuity and stability.

“The strategic direction and growth mindset of E Tech Group aligned seamlessly with that of Automation Group,” said Randy Ruano, former president of Automation Group. “Our company has always placed a strong emphasis on taking care of our people, both internally and externally. Our first core value is being people-focused. During discussions with E Tech Group’s leadership, we identified a shared commitment to prioritizing people, which made the decision to move forward with buyout simple.”

Curtiss-Wright to Acquire Ultra Energy

Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced that it agreed to acquire the stock of Ultra Nuclear Limited and Weed Instrument Co., Inc. (“Ultra Energy”), a subsidiary of Ultra Electronics, for $200 million in cash. Ultra Energy is a leading designer and manufacturer of reactor protection systems, neutron monitoring systems, radiation monitoring systems, and temperature and pressure sensors that facilitate the safe and reliable operation of commercial nuclear power generation plants, and support UK nuclear defense, as well as aerospace and industrial applications.

Ultra Energy generated sales of approximately $65 million in 2023 and is expected to be accretive to Curtiss-Wright's adjusted diluted earnings per share in its first full year of ownership, excluding first-year purchase accounting costs, and produce a strong free cash flow conversion rate in excess of 100%. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to UK regulatory approval, and the acquired business will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Naval & Power segment.

“The acquisition of Ultra Energy significantly increases the breadth of Curtiss-Wright’s global portfolio with highly complementary, critical measurement and control solutions supporting the modernization of existing commercial nuclear power plants, as well as the design of new and advanced power plants including small modular reactors, in both the U.S. and Europe,” said Lynn M. Bamford, chair and chief executive officer. “The transaction provides an opportunity to leverage Ultra Energy’s relationships and UK-based nuclear manufacturing footprint to further expand Curtiss-Wright's presence with the leading global designers of advanced nuclear reactors as well as our robust naval defense portfolio to support UK submarines.”

Dominion Energy Takes Step to Determine Feasibility of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Dominion Energy Virginia announced it has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from leading small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology companies to evaluate the feasibility of developing an SMR at the company’s North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia.

While the RFP is not a commitment to build an SMR at North Anna, it is an important first step in evaluating the technology and the North Anna site to support Dominion Energy customers’ future energy needs consistent with the company’s most recent Integrated Resource Plan.

For several years, utilities, state and federal agencies and leading technology firms have explored SMRs as the next generation of carbon-free nuclear power in the U.S. SMRs have the same reliability and environmental benefits as traditional nuclear, but with a significantly smaller footprint and lower upfront capital costs.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin poses with employees from the North Anna Power Station.
Source: PR Newswire

“For over 50 years nuclear power has been the most reliable workhorse of Virginia’s electric fleet, generating 40% of our power and with zero carbon emissions,” said Robert M. Blue, chair, president and CEO of Dominion Energy. “As Virginia’s need for reliable and clean power grows, SMRs could play a pivotal role in an ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to our energy future. Along with offshore wind, solar and battery storage, SMRs have the potential to be an important part of Virginia’s growing clean energy mix.”

DOE Announces $900 Million to Accelerate the Deployment of Next-Generation Light-Water SMR

As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to fund up to $900 million to support the initial U.S. deployments of Generation III+ (Gen III+) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies. This funding — made possible in part by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — will help strengthen America’s domestic nuclear industry and spur follow-on reactor projects, which are vital to achieving our nation's ambitious clean energy and climate goals and meeting the growing demand for clean, reliable power. Today’s announcement underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to support the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor technologies, create new good-paying, high-quality jobs and reinforce America’s leadership in the nuclear industry.

“President Biden is determined to ensure nuclear power — the nation’s single largest source of carbon-free electricity — continues to serve as a key pillar of our nation’s transition to a safe and secure clean energy future,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Today’s announcement will support early movers in the nuclear sector as we seek to scale up nuclear power and reassert American leadership in this critical energy industry.”

DOE estimates the U.S. will need approximately 700-900 GW of additional clean, firm capacity to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Nuclear power is a proven option that could be deployed to meet this need, including the growing demand from artificial intelligence and other data centers and the reshoring of manufacturing, while creating high-paying jobs with concentrated economic benefits for communities most impacted by the energy transition. Per the Department’s Pathways to Advanced Nuclear Commercial Liftoff report, establishing a committed orderbook of reactors in the near-term is critical to accelerating technology learning and reducing deployment costs. ​​​​​​

Welsford Co. Partners with SVF Flow Controls

Welsford Co., an industrial valve distributor specializing in high-quality valve solutions for various sectors, including pharmaceutical and food manufacturing, biotech, chemical processing, power generation and much more. The third-generation company is excited to announce its partnership with SVF Flow Controls to distribute the company’s sanitary and high-purity quarter-turn valves. This collaboration enhances Welsford Co.’s product high-purity and sanitary offerings in its Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York territories as well as for its e-commerce division, ValveMan.com. The company’s president, Jason Welsford, said: “Welsford Co. has deep penetration into the pharmaceutical and food manufacturing markets and a ton of specialized knowledge in them. We are excited to bring these products to our existing network of customers as well as continue to grow our presence with SVF as well.

Westinghouse’s AM Innovation Improves Safety and Efficiency

In an industry first, Westinghouse Electric Company used additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate bottom nozzles that improve debris capture and fuel endurance within its fuel assemblies. The nozzles were integrated into four lead test assemblies delivered to Alabama Power’s Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant operated by Southern Nuclear, in the first quarter of 2024.

Westinghouse fuel assembly bottom nozzle fabricated using additive manufacturing.
Source: BusinessWire

Source: BusinessWire

Debris-wearing action on the fuel rod cladding – known as debris fretting – is the primary source of leaks in Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) fuel assemblies. AM technology offers significant improvements in debris filtering thanks to enhanced design freedom which reduces the diameter of debris that can enter into the reactor. In testing, the additively manufactured components demonstrated a 30% improvement in debris resistance.

“Over the past decade, Southern Nuclear has led the industry in the development and implementation of new technologies that improve fuel resiliency,” said Southern Nuclear President Pete Sena. “The existing nuclear power fleet is the backbone of our country’s clean energy supply, and we are innovating nuclear fuel today to be more robust to deliver safer, more affordable and more reliable carbon-free clean nuclear power for decades to come.”

“Our additive manufacturing technology is allowing us to achieve breakthrough performance with an immediate positive impact for our customers,” said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse President of Nuclear Fuel. “This significant technology innovation for PWR reactors mitigates the risk of leakage in the fuel rods due to the accumulation of debris, strengthening the safety and efficiency of our customers’ operations.”For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com.

Energy Transfer and Sunoco Announce Permian Basin Joint Venture

Source: Business Wire

The joint venture combines respective crude oil and water gathering assets in the Permian Basin.

Energy Transfer LP (“Energy Transfer”) and Sunoco LP (“Sunoco”) today announced the formation of a joint venture combining their respective crude oil and produced water-gathering assets in the Permian Basin.

Energy Transfer will serve as the operator of the joint venture and contribute its Permian crude oil and produced water gathering assets and operations. Sunoco will contribute all of its Permian crude oil gathering assets and operations to the joint venture. Energy Transfer’s long-haul crude pipeline network that provides transportation of crude oil out of the Permian Basin to Nederland, Houston, and Cushing is excluded from the joint venture.

As shown in the map above, the joint venture will operate more than 5,000 miles of crude oil and water gathering pipelines with crude oil storage capacity in excess of 11 million barrels.

Energy Transfer will hold a 67.5% interest in the joint venture with Sunoco holding a 32.5% interest.

The formation of the joint venture has an effective date of July 1, 2024, and is expected to be immediately accretive to distributable cash flow per LP unit for both Energy Transfer and Sunoco.

Curtiss-Wright Receives ASME III Division 5 Certification for High Temp Reactors

Curtiss-Wright’s Nuclear Division announced that its Brea, California facility has received a Certificate of Authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) for Section III Division 5, Class A & B components. This certification authorizes the facility to design, fabricate and test metallic components for use in Gen IV high-temperature advanced (AR) and small modular (SMR) reactors.

This achievement follows the Brea facility's ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2023, highlighting the company’s adherence to stringent quality management practices. Additionally, in 2022, Curtiss-Wright’s Middleburg Heights, Ohio facility became the inaugural recipient of ASME III Division 5, Class A & B certification.

“Curtiss-Wright remains dedicated to advancing the nuclear power industry, both the existing fleet of power plants and the next generation of nuclear reactors,” said Kurt Mitchell, senior vice president and general manager of Curtiss-Wright’s Nuclear Division. “This ASME certification underscores our unwavering commitment.”

For over a decade, Curtiss-Wright has collaborated with AR and SMR developers, offering critical support in areas such as reactivity control and shutdown systems, as well as primary system valves.

For more information about Curtiss-Wright’s Nuclear Division products and services, please visit www.cwnuclear.com.

John Samoya is New CEO at Richards Industrials

Richards Industrials announces the appointment of John Samoya as its new Chief Financial Officer. With a strong background in finance, accounting and manufacturing, John is well positioned to help the Richards team serve its customers while achieving its strategic business objectives. John brings over three decades of finance expertise including twenty years in the manufacturing and consumer goods sectors. Before his tenure at Richards, John served as CFO for multiple businesses where he played a pivotal role in enhancing growth and profitability.

Source: Richards Industrials

“I’m excited to help grow and develop the company together with the entire team and to lead it towards sustainable success in the coming ,” Samoya said. Jordan Bast, CEO of Richards, commented “John is an experienced finance leader with a distinguished record of success. I’m thrilled to have such a talented, dynamic CFO join the leadership team at Richards. He brings energy and passion, and he operates with integrity and the same set of values that we espouse here at the company. I look forward to working with him to support our team, our partners and customers, and grow the business.” 

Carl Hyltin Appointed Vice President at Conval

Source: Conval Inc.

Conval President Scott Allard recently announced that Carl Hyltin has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing, responsible for all domestic and global sales and marketing initiatives and results. He replaces Don Bowers, Jr., who is retiring.

Hyltin joined Conval in 2019 as the southwestern regional sales manager. He is a high-energy, high-initiative, results-oriented manager with more than 30 years of experience in industrial valve sales in the power generation, petrochemical and pulp and paper industries. He has extensive product knowledge of control valves, turbine bypass, desuperheating and gas turbine valve technology. In 2023, he was promoted to director of new product development.

Hyltin holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) from the University of North Texas and resides in metropolitan Houston.

Two Former VMA Chairmen of the Board Pass Away

The valve industry has lost two icons recently, Ken Chickering and Al Kremers.

Chickering, was the former president of Daniel Industries and VMA Chairman of the Board, passed away on June 18, 2024. He was recognized by VMA for his many contributions in 2002 with the VMA Person of the Year Award. For more information on Ken and his life, click here.

A portrait of Kramers that hangs in the DeZURIK facility.
Source: DeZURIK

Al Kremers, former President of DeZURIK and VMA Chairman of the Board, died on June 5, 2024. After spending 15 years with DeZURIK, Al became president in 1975 and was appointed Group Executive for General Signal Corporation in 1984. He retired from DeZURIK for the first time in 1994, but was asked to return to DeZURIK as CEO in 2004. During that time as VMA Chairman, Al supported a new direction for VMA communications culminating in the formation of this magazine in 1982.

Bryan Burns, president and CEO of DeZURIK, Inc. said: “Al positively impacted everything he encountered in life, particularly his family, community and DeZURIK. His leadership and guidance over several decades instilled a strong culture that has been the foundation for DeZURIK’s growth and success.”