Charlotte Piedmont Natural Gas workers set sights on National Gas Rodeo

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — It’s a rodeo like you’ve never seen before.

On Friday, two teams of Piedmont Natural Gas workers trained for the National Gas Rodeo at the Charlotte Operations Center.

The rodeo is an event where the best natural gas workers from all across the country compete with the skills they use daily to be the National champions.

This year, the Charlotte teams are looking to take the top spot.

“We came in second place at Nationals last year, so we kind of got a chip on our shoulder,” said Richard Bradley who is one of those training. “We really want to win this year. It’s our last year together our team is splitting up changing districts and stuff, so we’ve been practicing back and forth between their new district and ours.”

The training includes things like cutting through a 6-inch steel pipe, simulating installing a natural gas line and digging through sand and gravel.

The national contest runs through Wednesday, September 11, and Saturday, September 14.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.