Thank You for Telling PHMSA to Keep Project Labor Agreement Preferences

On April 23, 2026, we submitted the below letter with 1,335 signatures supporting the inclusion of language in its NGDISM grant program that would secure good jobs for American pipeliners. Several of you also submitted emails of your own to PHMSA expressing your own thoughts!

By encouraging contractors to hire a Union workforce, the language that we support prioritizes investing in systems that ensure the safety of gas transmission pipelines and grows job opportunities for skilled Local 798 members. THANK YOU for helping us send a strong message of support. We will continue to collect signatures in anticipation of future submission opportunities. 

RE: U.S. DOT's Project Labor Agreement Preferences in PHMSA's Pipeline Infrastructure Grants

I stand with Pipeliners Local 798 in expressing support of the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) inclusion of project labor agreements as an evaluation criterion in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program for municipal or community owned utilities to invest in America's aging pipeline infrastructure.

Language in the NGDISM grant program ensures a high level of workplace and operational efficiency on pipeline infrastructure. It also protects good jobs for American skilled craftsmen.

Safety is the priority for Local 798. Our members spend hundreds of hours each year training its members, the nation’s most skilled and dedicated industry craftsmen, in all aspects of pipeline construction and welding safety. Driven by this commitment, Local 798 has generations of experience constructing quality infrastructure that connects consumers to critical energy resources across the country.

I support the inclusion of project labor agreements (PLAs) as an evaluation criterion for the following reasons:

  • it is in our industry's best interest to incentivize contractors who seek the safety and integrity that comes with a Union workforce;
  • skilled Union craftsmen are specifically trained to help ensure that natural gas and liquid pipeline operators are able to facilitate the use of new technologies and processes that will help to keep infrastructure in the best operational condition;
  • members of the public deserve to know that the energy infrastructure in their communities is monitored and operated under strict federal guidelines;
  • key pipeline guidelines, such as requiring certain integrity assessments more frequently, will secure more jobs for the industry workforce, including many Local 798 members who are already highly-trained in pipeline safety.

Upon reviewing the NGDISM grant program, it is clear that PHMSA’s updates reflect Local 798’s commitment to transparency and safety. I also understand that a price tag cannot be placed on quality, safety and professionalism. This is why I stand with Local 798 in supporting the inclusion of PLAs as an evaluation criterion in PHMSA's Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization grant program.

Signed,

[Names below]

1,358 signatures

See who else has taken this action

  • Olya Zabrodina

  • Roy Lorrens

  • Anastasiia Zabrodina

  • Joe Hurt

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Oliver Fink

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Jaime Hernandez

  • Kade Thomas

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Jacob Ikerd

  • Dale McBride

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • William Ritenour

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Ricky Duncan

  • Donovan Farrish

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Michael Jr Albrecht

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Kevin Groves

  • Beverly Smallwood

  • Cathy Shakal

  • Dane Lindsey

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Michael Donors

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • John Davis

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Larry Rhodes

  • Frank Bowker

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Bo Berry

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • victoria Spoon

  • Timothy Drake

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Doyle rice

  • Whitehead Charles

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Ed Buehlman

  • Joshua Taxis

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • John Starkey

    Pipeliners Local 798

  • Robert Flanary