Opportunity and Risk in the Clean Energy Transition: Perspectives from the Illinois Building Trades

• In Event: 20881 - Section on Labor and Labor Movements Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Rebuilding Labor from the Ground Up

Abstract

Transitioning from fossil fuel to clean energy requires a massive overhaul of infrastructure and equipment, from power plants and the electric grid to heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems. The building trades are critical to performing this work and ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the workers involved. This is particularly true in Illinois, where legislation such as the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) promotes union involvement in clean energy work through registered apprenticeships, project labor agreements, and prevailing wage requirements (Brecher 2024). Prior research has examined differences in unions’ climate policy positions and coalitions (Vachon 2023; Stevis 2018). Yet there have been few studies of union involvement in clean energy projects and programs, particularly at the state and local level. My Climate Jobs Institute colleagues and I conducted an exploratory study of union leaders and trainers in different trades and regions of Illinois to assess their activities and expectations with respect to clean energy. Through focus groups, in-depth interviews, site visits, and an online survey, we identify commonalities as well as differences in how unions are participating in or preparing for the clean energy transition.

Author

• Peter Fugiel, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign