National Utility Contractors Association
| Company type | Trade association |
|---|---|
| Industry | Underground public utility construction |
| Founded | April 11, 1964 in Washington, D.C., United States |
| Founder | Joseph M. Stone, Peter J. Ellis, Pat Marinelli, Antonio Marinelli, D.A. Foster, Laurence Siebel |
| Headquarters | Fairfax, Virginia , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Industry advocacy, safety training, workforce development, publications |
| Website | www |
The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) stands as the foremost trade organization representing the underground public utility sector throughout the United States. Established in 1964, NUCA caters to contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers engaged in industries such as water, sewer, gas, electric, telecommunications, construction site development, and excavation.
NUCA’s main office is situated in Fairfax, Virginia, in close proximity to Washington, D.C.
History
On April 11, 1964, NUCA was established at the law office of attorney Joseph M. Stone in Washington, D.C. The founding members included Stone himself along with Peter J. Ellis, Pat Marinelli, Antonio Marinelli, D.A. Foster, and Laurence Siebel.
The association originated from a jurisdictional conflict between union contractors and plumbers concerning utility pipe installation at Andrews Air Force Base. The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices asserted exclusive control over external lines such as storm and sanitary sewers. Utility contractors were required to submit project plans for union evaluation and allocation.
After an adverse ruling by the National Labor Relations Board on this matter, Stone proposed creating an organization to consolidate utility contractors in order to confront legislative and regulatory obstacles. Recognizing these challenges as serious threats, the founders incorporated NUCA to advocate for their collective interests.
In the months following its formation, NUCA produced foundational documents, designed a logo, launched a newsletter called The Pipeline, and issued news bulletins. A membership expansion meeting held in November 1964 in New York City welcomed additional companies beyond the original founders.
Chapters
NUCA maintains 35 chapters distributed across 23 states plus the District of Columbia. This includes seven chapters located in Florida, four in Texas, and two each within Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
List of chapters
- NUCA of Arizona
- NUCA of Colorado
- NUCA of Connecticut
- NUCA of Metro Washington (DC)
- NUCA of Florida
- NUCA of Hawaii
- NUCA of Indiana
- NUCA of Iowa
- NUCA of Greater Kansas City Region
- NUCA of Kentucky
- NUCA of Nebraska
- NUCA of Las Vegas
- NUCA of New Jersey
- NUCA of the Carolinas
- NUCA of Ohio
- NUCA of Oklahoma
- NUCA of Rhode Island/UCARI
- NUCA of East Tennessee
- NUCA of Middle Tennessee
- NUCA Texas
- NUCA of Virginia
- Central & Southwest Virginia Utility Contractors Association
- NUCA of Washington
Initiatives
- Clean Water Council
Formed in 1991, NUCA’s Clean Water Council plays a pivotal role in its advocacy activities. It unites 45 national entities, including contractors, design experts, manufacturers, labor unions, and others. The council champions federal policies aimed at advancing clean water initiatives and upgrading infrastructure to guarantee safe drinking water across the country.
- Safety
Through Certified Safety Professionals, NUCA offers specialized safety support to assist members in adhering to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Its training portfolio features well-established programs such as Train-the-Trainer and Crew Leader, alongside newer offerings like Damage Prevention Train-the-Trainer and Advanced Crew Leader courses. The Safety Department advocates on behalf of members in OSHA-related issues and partners with other groups to promote best practices in damage prevention. Additionally, the annual Safety and Damage Prevention Forum provides a platform for networking and discussing risk management strategies.
- Workforce Development
NUCA is dedicated to attracting and nurturing emerging talent within the infrastructure industry by improving the sector’s reputation and broadening educational opportunities. Collaborations with K-12 schools, community colleges, vocational institutions, apprenticeship programs, and adult education initiatives help create utility construction curricula designed to prepare the future workforce.
- "We Dig America" Slogan
The trademarked slogan "We Dig America," adopted by NUCA since 1973 and originating from its 1971 convention, has become a longstanding symbol. Incorporated into the logo during the late 1970s, it also names an annual Award of Excellence presented to nonmembers who have made significant contributions to the industry or association.
Publications
NUCA produces a variety of industry-centered publications including Utility Contractor Magazine, NUCA @ Work, the member-only NUCA Business Journal, NUCA Safety News, and Clean Water Weekly, which serves as the official journal for the Clean Water Council. Furthermore, NUCA participates in the Infrastructure Protection Coalition (IPC), established in 2021 alongside four other contractor groups. The IPC issued a comprehensive national report plus 52 state-specific reports titled "811 Emergency," detailing approximately $61 billion in economic losses and inefficiencies within the utility location industry.