The Driller Newscast

With Veterans’ Day this week, we turn our attention to hiring and working with veterans. On today’s episode, anchor Brock Yordy talks to Jake Fletcher, formerly of the RED HORSE, and Rob Myer of Talon LPE, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. How is it for veterans to transition to civilian drilling and construction work? It’s episode 36.

Day zero events. Drought. The need for new water is so great in some places, anchor Brock Yordy argues we need to get over our aversion to “water recycling,” and the ick factor people get when you start talking about putting treated wastewater back into potable circulation. It’s episode 35.

Oral arguments in the landmark Sackett vs. EPA case have begun, and anchor Brock Yordy brings us a recap. Is the definition of “groundwater” about to change? It’s episode 34.

In this episode, anchor Brock Yordy talks to Huug Eijkelkamp, CEO of Royal Eijkelkamp. The more than century old Dutch company has undergone several transformations from blacksmith shop to sonic drilling innovator. They cover everything from drilling, CPT and sonic to the future of the industry. It’s Driller Newscast episode 33.

In this episode, we wrap up our interview with Jesse Richardson, legal advisor to the Water Systems Council. Richardson and anchor Brock Yordy discuss WOTUS, Western drought, and the Sackett vs. EPA case before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other water and groundwater issues important to the industrial drilling and water supply industries. It’s episode 32.

This episode features and interview with Jesse Richardson, legal advisor to the Water Systems Council. Richardson gives anchor and drilling expert Brock Yordy an update on the Sackett vs. EPA case before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other water and groundwater issues important to the industrial drilling and water supply industries. It’s episode 31.

In this episode, anchor and drilling expert Brock Yordy fills us in on the upcoming Sackett vs. EPA case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and what implications it might have for drilling, groundwater and the concept of “waters of the U.S.” It’s episode 30. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

In this episode, anchor Brock Yordy talks to Donovan Gordon, director of clean heating and Cooling for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Gordon makes a compelling case for more geothermal drillers — fast. The state has ambitious plans to install a million heat pumps by 2030. It’s Driller Newscast episode 29. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

In this episode, anchor Brock Yordy interviews Marcus Laibe of Laibe Corp./Versa-Drill and Greg Halliday of Eijkelkamp North America about the technology coming to bear now in the drilling industry. It’s Driller Newscast episode 28. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

Historic droughts have had a wide-ranging effect on the U.S. West. But, as droughts persist, policy choices and harder – as do temptations to bend or avoid the rules. Anchor Brock Yordy rounds up some of these issues this week. It’s Driller Newscast episode 27. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

We’ve all seen video of flooding in Kentucky, Missouri and other U.S. states. Why can’t we move that water to states suffering from droughts? Can we solve the Western water crisis by building pipelines or canals from water-rich areas? Anchor Brock Yordy explores these issues and talks fire safety. It’s Driller Newscast episode 26. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

Solving water issues for low-income and rural citizens can prove both difficult and rewarding. That’s where the Water Well Trust comes in. The non-profit arm of the Water Systems Council works to coordinate low-cost financing for families to repair or install their home water well. On this episode, we talk to WSC Executive Director Margaret Martens. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

Many of the interstate agreements governing water use are decades old. What does that mean when we get into a drought situation the signers of those agreements couldn’t imagine? This week, anchor Brock Yordy looks at the Colorado River Compact, which went into effect a century ago. Now that the West is decades into the worst dry spell in 1,200 years, what about the Compact needs to change? It’s Dr...

The Driller attended the recent 2022 South Atlantic Jubilee, and this episode touches on some of our coverage. First up, we talk safety inspections with the NGWA’s Brian Snelton. Then we take to the show floor for a look some of the equipment. We wrap up with an interview with Water Systems Council legal adviser Jesse Richardson, who walks us through his big three water issues to keep an eye on. T...

Drilling can be an insular industry, with companies reluctant to share tips, tricks and useful knowledge. So, what’s the benefit of sharing knowledge like that? This week, anchor Brock Yordy talks with former NGWA President Jeff Williams about spreading his wealth of know-how and his tips for hiring new drillers. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

Anchor Brock Yordy this week wraps up his talk with geothermal industry expert Garen Ewbank of Ewbank Geo Testing. Plus, in this week’s safety segment, we look at an alarming rise of trench fatalities in the United States.

In episode 20, anchor Brock Yordy talks to geothermal industry experts Garen Ewbank of Ewbank Geo Testing and Jay Egg of Egg Geo. In this week’s safety segment, we remind equipment operators of the risks of working alone on a jobsite.

In episode 19, anchor Brock Yordy runs down the importance of sunblock to your safety arsenal, then interviews National Ground Water Association (NGWA) President Brian Snelton about education and serving the industry.

In episode 18, anchor Brock Yordy helps you get your head back in the safety game after the long Fourth of July weekend, then talks to Margaret Martens about the Water Systems Council’s new 2022 State of the Water Well Industry report. The report talked to contractors, distributors and manufacturers to assess where the industry is, and where it could be going.

In episode 17, anchor Brock Yordy covers two of the most serious topics affecting the drilling and groundwater industry (and, really, anyone who relies on water to live): PFAS and drought. This editorial podcast is brought to you by:

In episode 16 of The Driller Newscast, anchor Brock Yordy discusses the qualities that can help a person succeed in the drilling industry with Dave Bowers, instructor with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 AFL-CIO, Apprentice and Skill Improvement Program. Lots of people could be drillers, but the industry struggles to get them to choose drilling over other trades. This edi...

In episode 15 of The Driller Newscast, anchor Brock Yordy talks about United States government efforts to increase geothermal and other carbon-free energy sources. This week, he spotlights the Department of Energy’s recent selection of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to receive up to $6 million to help expand the deployment of geothermal heating and cooling technology at federal sites. This e...

Everybody talks about a lack of good job candidates for skilled trades like drilling and construction. But veterans, as a group, can offer a lot of what drilling companies need — starting with a methodical, get-it-done approach to work. In episode 14, anchor Brock Yordy talks to Rob Meyer of Talon/LPE about his transition from the military to civilian workforce and the value of a veteran perspecti...

Drillers are, of course, familiar with water supply: You drill a hole, water (hopefully) comes out. But what about demand? In episode 13, anchor Brock Yordy has updates on the global water crisis, plus celebrates student winners of DOE’s 2022 Geothermal Collegiate Competition.

Just how strong is the U.S. supply chain for cobalt, lithium and other materials critical for everything from mobile phone batteries to solar panels? What does responsible extraction of those materials look like? In episode 12, anchor Brock Yordy considers the interplay of environmental benchmarks and the responsible extraction of critical minerals in the United States.