Debra K. Rubin

New York

Editor-at-Large at BNP Media

Editor-at-Large at Engineering News-Record (ENR)

Editor-at-Large for global business, management, education + workforce for @ENRnews.

Featured in: Favicon

bnpmedia.com Favicon

enr.com

architecturalrecord.com Favicon

constructiondefectjournal.com Favicon

coastalnewstoday.com Favicon

ourcommunitynow.com Favicon

constructionhq.world

Articles

Developer Equinor Pushes Back on Trump Admin Halt of $5B NY Offshore Wind Project

2 weeks ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin

Top executives of Norway-based energy developer Equinor are responding strongly—with a lawsuit against the government possible—after the Trump administration halted construction of the estimated $5-billion Empire Wind offshore wind energy project off New York’s coast, citing a need for further “review” of the fully permitted project.
Farewell to DC Bureau Chief Tom Ichniowski: ENR's Government Eyes and Ears

1 month ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin

This year’s momentous changes and unprecedented uncertainty in federal governance is another reminder of the importance to ENR’s audience of the magazine’s Washington, D.C., coverage. Washington Bureau Chief and veteran journalist Tom Ichniowski, who has provided steady expertise in his “inside the Beltway” reporting for ENR, and other publications, for more than four decades, has decided to retire.
ENR 2025 Top Owners Sourcebook: Tariff ‘Golden Age’ Stuns Construction Market

1 month ago | enr.com | Corinne Grinapol |Debra K. Rubin |Emell D. Adolphus |Jonathan Keller

Related Links:ENR 2025 Top Owners Sourcebook (PDF)(Subscription Required)Overall, the value of construction-in-progress (CIP) for ENR’s Top 425 Owners rose 9.3% to $595.84 billion from 2023 to 2024. Part of that rise could be attributed to more moderately sized projects coming online, according to owners, as megaprojects tied to federal infrastructure packages mature and free up labor resources.
Kiewit to Build Record 4.5-GW Gas Power Plant for Pennsylvania Data Center

1 month ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin

What was Pennsylvania’s one-time largest operating coal fired power plant will become a 3,200-acre data center and estimated 4.5-GW natural gas power plant complex by 2027, its developer and EPC contractor announced April 2.
Federal Judge Upholds New York City Building Natural Gas Restriction

1 month ago | enr.com | Johanna Knapschaefer |Debra K. Rubin

By dismissing a lawsuit filed by state and local plumbing and building trade groups, a federal district court judge in New York City has allowed continued enforcement of Local Law 154, the city’s building electrification law, which sets policy on emissions of natural gas connections in most new structures of seven stories or less.
From Vietnam War to Climate Change: ENR Award Reflects Changing Times

1 month ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin |Richard Korman

There are several times in their work lives when journalists try to say something important to readers—and one of those for ENR editorial staff is the profile of the annual Award of Excellence winner, which this year tells the story of Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. In 2025, ENR marks the award’s 60th anniversary.
UPDATE Sinkholes Close Key NJ Interstate-80 As Officials Seek Solutions, Funding

1 month ago | enr.com | Jim Parsons |Debra K. Rubin

Sinkholes likely resulting from collapsing vestiges of New Jersey’s long-shuttered iron mining industry are causing historical headaches for state officials—closing the heavily used Interstate-80 link to New York City for up to two months, officials said initially, and heightening fears of further subsidence along major highways in the immediate area.
Local Opposition Again Tables $180M Newark, N.J., Gas Plant

1 month ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin

Strong local opposition has again tabled final approval by New Jersey’s Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to build a $180-million gas-fired power plant in Newark, N.J., as an emergency backup, despite already securing sign-offs from Gov. Phil Murphy (D) last year and the state Dept of Environmental Protection last month.
China Doubles Down on Coal-Fired Power, With Record Plant Capacity Planned

1 month ago | enr.com | Saibal Dasgupta |Debra K. Rubin

China is doubling down on more coal-fired power after a decade-long push toward renewable energy, with officials revealing their approval of a huge amount of new capacity ordered up last year. Construction of plants to produce an estimated 94.5 GW of power from coal that began in 2024 represents the highest level of new or resumed projects using the fuel source since 2015—sharply contrasting the steady decline seen between 2015 and 2021.
Offshore Wind Projects Hit by New Lawsuits, But Work Proceeds

1 month ago | enr.com | Debra K. Rubin

Federally-permitted offshore wind energy projects in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Virginia have been hit in recent days by new legal actions in the wake of new Trump Administration energy politics—but Virginia's mammoth 2.6-GW project has marked a key construction milestone and is on track for completion at the end of 2026.