Jason Margerum

  • Sign Our Letter to Legislators

    In July 2024, the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received strong bipartisan support for the Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA) of 2024, sponsored by Chairman Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY). This legislation, which will narrow the scope of review and streamline the approval process for infrastructure projects, advanced out of committee fewer than two weeks after it was introduced because lawmakers recognized how it is poised to play a critical role in supporting robust domestic energy development across the country - and ensuring good opportunities for our members.

    Show your support by signing our letter below that we will submit to the appropriate governing body to support EPRA.

    RE: Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024

    Dear [Official]:

    I stand with Pipeliners Local 798, a trades union representing the nation’s most skilled and dedicated industry craftsmen, in supporting Chairman Joe Manchin and Ranking Member John Barrasso's sponsored Energy Permitting Reform Act (EPRA) of 2024. This legislation, which has already received strong bipartisan support, provides much-needed transparency and efficiency to a permitting system that has long been dogged with unnecessary and costly red tape.

    As we have seen too many times, delays in infrastructure permitting increases costs, threatens jobs and halts critical economic activity in our communities. To be more specific, the current system's inefficiencies have costed billions of dollars in investments and tens of thousands of U.S. jobs - many of which belong to the men and women of the United Association who have played a central role in building America's infrastructure network.

    I support the common-sense provisions outlined in the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 for the following specific reasons:

    • Accelerates leasing and permitting decisions for energy projects on federal lands, helping to eliminate duplicative permit requirements and avoid long delays on critical project approvals;
    • Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a rule on interregional transmission planning and cost allocation within 180 days of a bill's enactment, ensuring the review process remains focused on the details that move project approval forward;
    • Helps to ensure that consistent domestic offshore energy development continues in the coming years by mandating lease sales for both traditional and renewable energy development;
    • By making FERC the lead agency for conducting environmental reviews of transmission projects that are subject to the National Environmental Policy Act, this simplifies the backstop authority and streamlines otherwise stuttering approvals;
    • Helps accelerate the benefits of nearly $2 trillion provided by Congress for investments in infrastructure and clean energy, ultimately supporting sustainable energy infrastructure development and maintenance.

    On behalf of all industry craftsmen who have struggled to make a living while waiting for construction approvals for infrastructure projects, I am proud to support the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. I understand there is much more work to be done to address the incredible constraints facing pipeline infrastructure, but this legislation is certainly a significant step in that direction. This is why I urge you and your colleagues to lend support to push this forward.

    Signed,

    [Names below]

  • signed SESE ferc petition via 2024-02-13 07:55:20 -0600

    Sign Our Petition to FERC

    Nearly 2,400 advocates signed this petition that we submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on June 6, 2024 to support the Williams' Southeast Supply Enhancement project during its public scoping comment period. THANK YOU to all who signed!

    This is a substantial expansion of the existing Transco pipeline’s system that would run from Virginia to Alabama, moving up to 1.5 billion cubic feet of methane gas per day. We will continue to collect signatures on this petition in anticipation of upcoming comment periods with our federal and state regulators. Be sure to add your name if you haven't!

    Dear [Official]:

    I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in support of the Southeast Supply Enhancement project, a critical expansion of the natural gas infrastructure network in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and the first large-scale takeaway expansion to be announced in the area since the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline.

    This system enhancement will help meet skyrocketing demands for affordable, reliable energy by moving more than 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to its delivery network, a significant capacity increase that will be enough to power five or six new large, combined cycle plants and will ultimately move this domestically sourced gas to millions of American homes and businesses.

    Williams has long demonstrated its commitment to ensure thorough consultation and cooperation with state, local and federal regulatory agencies, as well as community stakeholders throughout the permitting process. This is of particular importance for large scale projects such as this and it includes working with community members and industry experts to identify potential environmental issues or concerns and then to potentially modify the project design to further minimize possible impacts.

    Below are just a few specific reasons why I support this project:

    • The expansion will add enough natural gas pipeline capacity to meet the needs of 8.6 million homes, enabling Transco to address the growing natural gas-fired power generation, commercial, residential and industrial demand in the mid-Atlantic and southeast United States.
    • The increase in pipeline capacity will encourage southern utilities to build new gas plants, opening the region to a generational investment in natural gas while strengthening grid reliability and driving down energy costs at a time when many families are struggling to handle their monthly bills.
    • More urgently, the project will create good jobs for skilled industry craftsmen in the region, many of whom are long-time members of Pipeliners Local 798, as well as provide an economic boost to communities along the route.

    The Southeast Supply Enhancement Project is poised to be a critical component of the region's energy infrastructure network – supporting good jobs, increasing access to domestically sourced natural gas and generating needed economic benefits. This is why I urge FERC and other agencies to issue necessary permits to ensure it remains on schedule.

    Signed,

    **By signing this petition, I agree to share my name on Pipeliners Local 798's submission(s) to federal and state decision makers in support of the Southeast Supply Enhancement project.**

  • signed MVP Southgate Pipeline Petition via 2024-01-11 05:53:53 -0600

    Sign our Project Support Petition

    In December 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a three-year extension for Mountain Valley Pipeline to build a planned offshoot of its main natural gas pipeline - MVP Southgate - that would run from Pittsylvania County to North Carolina. Before construction on the extension can start, FERC needs to issue a notice to proceed after confirming the project has received all state and federal permits it needs. Two state permits, an air permit from Virginia and a water permit from North Carolina, are still outstanding.

    Thousands of jobs are on the line with Southgate! Sign the below petition that we will submit to the appropriate decision makers during upcoming comment periods.

    Dear [Official]:

    I join Pipeliners Local 798 in urging FERC and other decision makers to approve Mountain Valley’s proposed Southgate Pipeline Project. This is an approximate $468 million investment in the economic and energy future of Virginia and North Carolina that will put local craftsmen to work, many of whom are highly-trained members of Local 798.

    The Southgate Pipeline Project is critical to meet the substantial and growing need for natural gas in the region. PSNC Energy, a local distribution company serving central North Carolina, has already signed a long-term contract to receive natural gas from the pipeline in order to help serve its customers, including approximately 100,000 new natural gas customers it has added over the past decade. Delay in project approval would be particularly devastating to these customers.

    I support the swift approval of Southgate due to the project’s following benefits:

    • inject $68 million directly into Virginia and $113 million into North Carolina’s economy;
    • support 570 jobs in Virginia and 1,130 jobs in North Carolina, many belonging to Local 798 members;
    • generate $10.4 million in tax revenue across the two states during construction, and, once operational, it will generate an estimated $4.6 million across the project areas;
    • help meet the growing need for natural gas in the region by transporting 375M cf/day to markets that need reliable energy; including the approximate 100,000 new natural gas customers served by PSNC Energy.

    Safety and environmental integrity are central priorities at Local 798, which is why we do not offer support lightly. FERC staff stated that the project's potential adverse environmental impacts would be reduced to “less-than-significant levels" through implementation of its recommendations. The Pipeline Project team has demonstrated a commitment to this goal by making 191 route adjustments in response to feedback collected during the pre-filing process.

    These alteration were made to protect streams, wetlands and cultural resources, as well as to minimize – or avoid – potential impacts to sensitive areas. Key changes included the reduction in the temporary right-of-way width at wetland and waterbody crossings, and a proposal based on recommendations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cross Cascade Creek, Wolf Island Creek and Deep Creek via conventional bore.

    The pipeline will also be monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year using sophisticated computerized systems and around-the-clock personnel. This regular monitoring will ensure pipeline integrity.

    This project will help make a reliable supply of natural gas available for residents in the region, create thousands of jobs for the local workforce and generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, all while respecting the environment. This is why I ask that you issue necessary approvals for the MVP Southgate Project without delay.

    Signed,

    [Names below]

    *PLEASE NOTE: Local 798 submitted this comment below to FERC in September 2019 during its comment period for the Southgate Project's Environmental Impact Statement. We may submit your signature to state and federal regulatory bodies, as well as elected officials to support the project.

  • signed Line5 eis 2023 via 2023-05-20 05:21:05 -0500

    Sign Our Petition to the Army Corps

    Enbridge Energy's Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project's Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be issued in the spring of 2025.

    While Local 798 members are supportive of a comprehensive permitting process that ensures opportunity for review and comment, we are disappointed with the extended timeline on this project's already thorough environmental impact analysis. Join us in sending a message to the Army Corps in support of a swift review so construction can finally move forward.

    Dear Secretary:

    I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in expressing disappointment in the U.S. Army Corps's decision to extend its environmental review of Enbridge Energy's Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project. The permitting process for Line 5 already ensured extensive opportunity for review and comment, through which Enbridge repeatedly demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the highest level of safety and environmental responsibility.

    Enbridge's proactive dedication to safety includes diligent 24/7 monitoring of the Straits crossing, regular inspections and operating the line at less than 25 percent of its maximum design capabilities to minimize stress on the pipeline steel and enhance safety. In November 2017, the company formally entered into an agreement with the state of Michigan outlining seven actions Enbridge was taking to protect the state’s water bodies within the project footprint. The following year, Enbridge announced another agreement with the state of Michigan that put in place enhanced inspection and operations protocols for the project. In the years that followed, Enbridge has continued to work closely with landowners, tribal leaders and safety experts to ensure the safest and most efficient pipeline operation.

    There are several reasons why I believe the Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project deserves swift approval from the Army Corps and other decision makers, including:

    • Enbridge has a proactive inspection program to monitor the fitness of Line 5, including evaluating the pipe’s interior inch by inch every five years using in-line inspection tools that provide detail on par with MRIs in the medical industry;
    • All products that enter the pipeline are inspected and treated to prevent corrosion, and the system is operated at a low pressure to minimize stress on the pipe – all in an effort to protect the pipeline and the Straits;
    • Over the past several years, Enbridge has paid tens of millions of dollars in property taxes in the state for its energy infrastructure projects, which has been invested in schools, roads and bridges and other important public services;
    • The Line 5 Straits Tunnel Project will create good jobs for the local workforce, many of whom include Local 798 members.

    The permitting process for Line 5 already ensured more than adequate opportunity for review and comment, through which Enbridge has demonstrated a clear plan with the project to help ensure an uninterrupted supply of reliable, affordable energy to Michigan and the region. This is why I ask the Army Corps to efficiently complete this review and approve necessary permits without any further delay.

    Signed,

    [Names Below]

    **Local 798 may submit this petition to state and federal regulators and other decision makers to support Line 5.**

  • signed Be an Energy Voter Petition via 2021-02-02 08:51:41 -0600

    Pledge To Be An Energy Voter

    With the right leadership and vision, we can ensure all Americans benefit from our nation’s emergence as an energy leader. It’s time to fulfill our bright energy future; it’s time to vote for candidates that support Local 798 jobs and the work that we do.

    Join Local 798 by signing the petition and becoming an Energy Voter.

    I understand the urgent need for clean, affordable and domestically sourced energy in my community, across my state and in throughout the nation. That is why I stand with political candidates and elected officials who show their support for an energy pipeline network that will safely and efficiently transport the nation’s abundant supply of domestic natural gas and oil supplies.

    America is leading the world in oil and natural gas production. Working together, we can do even more. Producing, refining and transporting more domestic oil and natural gas will mean more abundant energy – and that means more affordable energy for American families and businesses.

    We know there is enough potential domestic energy to serve all residential, business and industrial needs across the country. Yet, support for critical energy infrastructure is lacking among our political leaders.

    To support my livelihood, my family and my community, I will enter the voting booth informed about how political leaders stand on the issue of energy infrastructure development. I will do my part to help elect leaders who recognize the tremendous benefits of and need to grow our energy transportation network and who support the union workforce that will build it.

    Sincerely,

    American Energy Industry Supporter