January 2022 Vol. 77 No. 1
Features
PLCA Pushes Through Challenges
By Jeff Griffin, Senior Editor
As members of the Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) prepare for their annual convention, they continue to be affected by the Covid epidemic and face major challenges on many fronts, said PLCA President Dwayne Osadchuk.
Those challenges, Osadchuk said, “included opposition groups and protest activity, increasingly difficult project approval and permitting processes, government regulators at the local, state and federal levels, and increased non-union competition.
“During 2021,” Osadchuk continued, “the PLCA was focused on doing its part to combat these forces and increase future work opportunities for our members.
“Also, the PLCA launched its new Government Affairs and Strategic Projects Committee which will serve as a forum for PLCA members, our union partners, and owner/operators to encourage all involved to work together in support of the industry.”
PLCA also joined a coalition of industry stakeholders in support of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future, a group focused on spreading the message about why natural gas is important to a clean energy future.
“We are proud of our work with that organization and believe it is the right path to help the industry,” said Osadchuk.
He emphasized that the association’s dialogue with its union partners is consistently focused on improving the competitive position of union contractors in the industry. Those unions are the International Brotherhood of Teamsters), the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the International Union of Operating Engineers, and the Laborers International Union of North America.
“PLCA members,” he said, “bring the highest level of attention to safety, quality, environmental compliance and community support for their construction projects, and we are committed to growing future work opportunities for our union contractors.”
In terms of pipeline construction, the most significant project of 2021 was the Line 3 Replacement Project in Minnesota.
“The three-way partnership between Enbridge, our union partners and the PLCA,” said Osadchuk, “ensured that the project was a success despite some of the most challenging conditions ever experienced in pipelining that included Covid-19, protesters, severe weather and other issues.”
Also, the long-delayed 2021 PLCA Convection (originally scheduled for February) was held in August. Attendees from the PLCA, industry organizations, unions and others were provided an opportunity to network with industry colleagues, learn about the industry and attend PLCA member meetings.
In December, the PLCA held its 2021 National Pipe Line Conference in Houston. This hybrid event allowed PLCA members and customers to attend a series of informative panels and presentations focused on a range of topics important to the industry including safety, government affairs and training.
Looking ahead to 2022, Osadchuk said the PLCA will remain focused on creating future opportunities for the union pipeline industry.
“In particular,” he said, “we will concentrate on carbon capture and other clean-energy options that could grow the union construction market share. We will continue to strengthen our tripartite approach by working with owner/operators and union partners to support the industry on all fronts.”
Osadchuk is president of OZ Directional Drilling.
The PLCA is based in Arlington, Va., and Elizabeth C. Worrell is managing director and chief legal counsel. For more information about the association, go to plca.org.
PLCA 74TH ANNUAL CONVENTION
Feb. 22–26
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass
Phoenix, AZ 85226
PLCA74.COM
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