Jason Margerum
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Support the Constitution Pipeline
In January 2026, we submitted the below comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) following Williams' Companies reactivating an application for its Constitution Pipeline Project. This application seeks reissuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity, following much discussion among state and federal leaders to revive this project that would help deliver Pennsylvania natural gas to millions of homes in New York and New England.
Join fellow advocates who have signed our comment below that we will submit to our federal regulator and other decision makers as Constitution faces more permitting milestones!
RE: Docket Nos. CP13-499-006 / CP18-5-004; Petition for Reissuance of Constitution Pipeline Certificate for Public Convenience and Necessity
Dear Secretary:
I join Pipeliners Local 798 in expressing support for the Constitution Pipeline Project. This is an approximate $800 million investment in New York and Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure network that will deliver cost-effective and clean natural gas to millions of homes and businesses in the region, while generating critical economic activity and supporting thousands of jobs for skilled tradesmen, many of whom are Pipeliners Local 798 members.
This project will immediately play a vital role in New York’s economy and job outlook, creating thousands of good jobs for the state’s workforce. This is significant, as good portion of the state’s manufacturing jobs currently depend on the natural gas industry.
Williams has demonstrated its commitment to safety and efficiency throughout the planning process by collaborating with impacted community members, stakeholders and state agencies to develop the most responsible pipeline route. The company also developed the Constitution Pipeline Community Grant program to give back to community organizations within the project footprint. The grant program has awarded more than $2 million to hundreds of organizations to date, and project approval will help ensure the program's continued success.
I support the final approval of the Constitution Pipeline Project due to the following key benefits:
- directly and indirectly create 2,500 jobs and generate approximately $295 million in labor income;
- generate $105 million in New York and Pennsylvania tax revenue;
- help the region meet aggressive clean-air goals, particularly New York, where air quality has already reached its cleanest levels since 2013 thanks in large part to increased natural gas use;
- transport enough natural gas to serve over 3 million homes.
The Constitution Pipeline will provide a vital link to the region’s ample supply of natural gas, while supporting good jobs for local craftsmen and generating critical economic activity. This is why I urge the swift approval of this important project.
Signed,
Constitution Pipeline Project Supporter
*PLEASE NOTE: Local 798 may submit your signature to state and federal regulatory bodies, as well as elected officials to support the Constitution Pipeline Project.
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Jason Margerum signed Energy Permitting Reform Act Letter via Justin Wallace 2024-10-09 10:51:45 -0500
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.
We submitted the letter below with more than 2,300 signatures to congressional leadership in November 2024 supporting this critical bill. We will continue to collect signatures in anticipation of further legislative discussions.
RE: Energy Permitting Reform Act
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). 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 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. 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]
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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
Jason Margerum 1115sc