Letter to the Editor: Lawmakers keep Iowan workers and families in mind

This past legislative session, a bill was nearly passed that would have harmed Iowa’s ability to continue building critical energy infrastructure. Thankfully, Gov. Reynolds vetoed this bill and protected Iowa’s jobs, energy, and economy. However, as the 2026 session approaches, it is apparent that similar bills will be on the docket.

Legislators need to keep hardworking Iowans in mind as they consider the proposed legislation. Here at Local 177, we rely on the jobs created from pipeline construction and have done the training to know how to safely build and maintain this infrastructure, ensuring that everyone can access affordable and reliable natural gas to heat their homes.

We rely on these jobs to provide for our families, just as our communities rely on the natural gas brought in through pipelines. It is clear that activists intend to push for anti-energy legislation without understanding the negative impacts and not realizing the harm that will come if the ability to build pipelines is restricted.

I hope that our lawmakers keep Iowan workers and families in mind as they consider legislation in 2026. They must remember that we deserve to have reliable and affordable energy brought in through infrastructure built by hardworking Iowans, like those of us at Local 177.

Dylan C. Gramlich

Newton