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In the United States, buildings account for 39% of total energy use, 12% of total water consumption, 68% of total electricity consumption and 38% of carbon dioxide emissions. USEPA
“Green Jobs” is a buzz phrase being used in the political arena to describe work that is environmentally-friendly, both inside and outside the construction industry. However, there is no clear and agreed upon definition. Currently, organized labor is attempting to define “green jobs” as positions held by workers that receive special green training through union-only apprenticeship programs.
Organized labor and certain special interest groups claim that only union apprenticeship programs can properly train workers to build green projects. However, these claims are nothing more than an effort to monopolize the construction workforce on green building and other construction projects. Most green building techniques involve simple architectural changes or using environmentally-friendly building materials, which requires that workers learn skills that can be taught through both union and non-union training programs.
In December 2007 President Bush signed into law H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Public Law No: 110-140. Title X of this legislation made $125 million available to invest in a renewable energy worker training program. However, the statutory language only allows organizations associated with labor unions to apply for these grants. It is vital that mandatory, union-only apprenticeship guidelines are not made a condition for eligibility to receive federal grant money. Merit shop contractors should not be excluded from projects that are made possible by this federal funding.
Title X will significantly reduce the role of
America ’s businesses community in the training of workers. This provision greatly expands government bureaucracy and needlessly benefits labor unions at the expense of full and open competition by allowing unions to assume a major role through legislated training partnerships and in mandated consultation of potential grant proposals.
IMPACT:
ABC fears that these union-only training funds will be used by organized labor in attempting to attach union apprenticeship requirements to green projects in order to limit the ability of merit shop contractors to compete for these projects. These exclusionary limitations subject green projects to the inefficiency and waste that comes with union-only construction. Merit shop contractors have been successfully completing green projects for over fifteen years. With more and more projects going green, union-only apprenticeship requirements exclude 86% of the private construction industry, the workforce of merit shop contractors, from working on a growing segment of future construction.
STATUS:
In the 111th Congress, at the request of ABC, Congressman John Kline (R-MN) and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) introduced the Green Jobs Improvement Act (H.R. 2026 and S. 1238) which would amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to make non-union training programs eligible for Federal funding under the “Green Jobs’’ program.During the 111th Congress ABC will continue to push Members of Congress to support this legislation and to educate them on the detrimental impacts of cutting our non-union training programs from accessing these funds.
Bill to Expand Green Job Training to Merit Shop Workers Introduced in Senate
(6/17/09)
ABC Applauds Bill to Expand Green Job Training Program to Merit Shop Workers
(4/22/09)
ABC Testimony - Health Education and Labor Pensions committee (HELP) hearing on "Green Skills Training for Workers"
(4/21/09)
ABC Letter to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Workforce Protections (3/31/09)
ABC Green Jobs Position Paper
The call for a comprehensive energy policy has grown steadily as gas prices continue to wildly fluctuate and the
United States remains heavily dependent on foreign sources for oil. After September 11, 2001, energy became not just an economic issue, but a security issue as well. Members of both political parties have recognized the need for a national energy policy, yet the two sides have substantial differences in their respective strategies on how to best implement a program. Republicans advocate a national energy policy focused on increased production, while Democrats stress conservation.
Congress must address the energy problem, as the issue will not disappear. Over the next 20 years,
United States oil consumption will increase by 33 percent and demand for electricity will rise by 45 percent. Future energy demand is going to vastly outstrip our supply if no action is taken.
IMPACT:
On all Americans: A comprehensive energy plan will benefit all Americans through less expensive, more stable energy supplies. From families to small businesses to large corporations, a reliable energy supply will help alleviate price instability and prevent increased pricing of goods and services. Moreover, in the new security environment,
America needs to take steps to ensure energy security and to protect the availability of energy to all Americans.
On the construction industry: The potential dividend for the construction industry is considerable. Our nation’s energy infrastructure is insufficient and crumbling; new construction and upgrades to plants and transmission infrastructure are desperately needed. The President’s plan calls for the construction of 1,300 to 1,900 new power plants and up to 300,000 miles of new gas pipelines and distribution lines. Each new plant will create 1,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs, and every 1,000 miles of pipeline built would create 5,000 new jobs. ABC is committed to ensuring that these new projects are built with open competition, without government-mandated project labor agreements.
STATUS:
The Obama Administration believes that energy reform should revolve around increasing alternative/renewable fuels, such as wind and solar, and the increased use of vehicles powered by these sources. Unfortunately, he does not address the need for
America to ramp up domestic production of fossil fuels while implementing this agenda. ABC believes that while these alternative/renewable fuels will be vital to
America ’s future, they can only succeed when coupled with lessening
America ’s dependence on foreign sources of energy by increased domestic exploration and production of fossil fuels.
On December 19, 2007, President Bush signed into law another energy package, H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The bill's centerpiece is an increase in corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards to an average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2020.
Unfortunately the bill includes a number of provisions expanding Davis-Bacon Act wage requirements on federally supported energy-related projects.
During the 111th Congress ABC will be proactively engaged in lobbying Congress for the need for energy reform that is comprehensive in nature.
ABC Testimony - Enviroment & Public Works committee hearing on " Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings" (4/22/09)