Assemblymember Harry Bronson and Local Union Leaders Highlight Clean Energy Jobs in the Region; Announce Landmark $3 Million Dollar Investment from New York State to Support Cornell Climate Jobs Institute

December 16, 2024: Assembly Labor Chair Harry Bronson (D-138) held a press conference today to announce funding to support high-quality clean energy jobs in the region and highlight union labor’s importance to New York’s successful transition to solar, wind and other renewable energies.

The announcement was held at the IBEW Local 86 / Rochester NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Center. IBEW is one of several members of the NYS Building and Constructions Trades Council implementing solar, wind and other clean energy technologies in sites throughout the state. Their apprenticeship programs specialize in preparing a skilled, highly-trained workforce for the technologies and industries of today and tomorrow.

Assemblymember Bronson was joined by Assemblyman Demond Meeks (D-137), Cornell Climate Jobs Institute Executive Director Dr. Lara Skinner, Grant Malone (Rochester Building and Construction Trades) Ray Ryerse (IBEW Local 86), Laborers Local 435 and other regional labor leaders.

To support our successful transition to a robust clean energy workforce and economy, The Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) received a $3 million dollar investment from New York State. These funds were secured in the FY 24-25 State budget in partnership with Assembly speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Labor Chair, Jessica Ramos. With this funding CJI will strengthen their connections to organized labor, state-wide, to guide New York’s transition to a strong, equitable, and resilient clean energy economy centered around a skilled, diverse union workforce.

“Partnerships like this offer the Citizens of New York State not only cleaner forms of alternative energy, but great careers with outstanding benefits for the generations to come,” said Ray Ryerse - Business Manager, IBEW Local 86. “Investments like the Climate Jobs Institute will create more opportunities for our already cutting-edge apprenticeship programs and help keep pace with the ever evolving, highly technical electrical industry. These investments not only help in bolstering our IBEW Union ranks but help provide resources to our partner in industry the National Electrical Contractors Association with the safest, highest skilled, and most efficient workforce.”

“This $3 million dollar investment is a critical step towards building a clean energy economy to provide high-quality jobs right here in the Finger Lakes. By partnering with Cornell Climate Jobs Institute, we are ensuring that our local workforce has the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in the new economy,” said Dan Kuntz - Business Manager, Laborers Local 435. “This funding will help prepare the members of Laborers Local 435 and our Building Trades partners to lead the way in building the clean energy infrastructure of tomorrow. We are proud to stand with Assemblymember Bronson to support this effort.”

Solar, wind, and other clean energy projects are expanding rapidly in Monroe and surrounding counties, thanks in large part to state and federal support. Union workers will build several future projects, including Alle-Catt Wind. The project, slated to begin construction in 2025, will produce 350 MW of wind power across three Western New York counties.

“The Climate Jobs Institute is uniquely positioned to help our state be a national leader in a historic transition to clean energy by elevating the value of our highly-skilled union workforce and making sure we have a just, equitable economy.” said Assemblymember Bronson. “This is about preparing our union workers to meet the moment of an evolving climate reality, so no one is left behind economically. If New York is to meet our climate goals and our workforce development goals, we must invest in a diverse, inclusive workforce prepared to take on the economy of the future.”

"New York has led the nation in setting ambitious climate, jobs and equity goals. Now the state has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to implement those goals in a way that truly improves the lives of working people in New York, said Dr. Lara Skinner, Executive Director of Cornell ILR's Climate Jobs Institute. "This means quickly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making our communities healthier, and expanding access to high-quality union careers, especially in historically underserved communities. Cornell ILR's Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) is proud to partner with labor unions, environmental organizations, the clean energy industry and policymakers throughout New York State and we applaud Assemblymember Bronson for his unwavering support to CJI and our critical mission to build a strong, equitable clean energy economy in New York."

About CJI:

Through cutting-edge policy studies, deep relationships with on-the-ground partners, and innovative training and education programs, CJI provides information that policymakers, the labor and environmental movements, industry leaders, and others need to navigate this historic transition to a zero-carbon economy.

The Climate Jobs Institute, launched in January 2023, specializes in applied research, policy creation, training and education, and workforce development to guide New York’s transition to an equitable and resilient clean energy economy by pursuing three aims: tackling the climate crisis, creating high-quality union jobs and building a skilled and diverse workforce.

CJI partners with Climate Jobs New York, a growing coalition of labor unions representing 2.6 million working men and women at the center of New York’s economy, combating climate change by growing high-quality jobs in the industry. Together, these organizations are collaborating to help New York achieve the goals of the CLCPA, which was signed into law in 2019, by developing state- specific, science-based climate action plans that maximize high-quality job creation and creating career pathways for frontline communities.

This year, CJI published a report titled, “The State of the New York Solar Workforce,” where from December 2022 to September 2023 they surveyed over 250 workers on conditions they experienced while working in the New York State solar industry at non-union job sites. This first-of- its-kind study found major workplace safety issues, questionable payment practices, and racial disparities in pay and working conditions. By partnering with labor unions, CJI is helping to shore up better policies and procedures for job sites and ensuring that solar and other renewables are installed and maintained by properly trained employees to meet industry standards.

Other Quotes:

“Investments like this are exactly why I am proud to champion CJI in the state budget. We need to respond to the climate crisis with a union climate economy, and it is workforce development investments like this that will get us there. Union jobs will allow New Yorkers to secure a future for their families and our planet,” said Senate Labor Chair Jessica Ramos (D, SD-13).

“As we continue to advance the clean energy initiative, we must make sure that the workforce driving this transformation is skilled and equitable for our community,” said Assemblyman Demond Meeks (AD-137). “This $3 million investment strengthens our economy and gives our labor unions high-quality jobs in clean energy industries. Together, let us build a better, more innovative and sustainable future that represents all of us.”

“New York’s historic investment into clean energy development has not only given us the opportunity to improve our environment, but also continues to generate thousands of good paying union careers for hardworking New Yorkers,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building Trades. “The ongoing establishment of our green economy is giving more workers and their families accessible opportunities to ascend into the middle class, all while improving our communities and the lives of New Yorkers for generations to come. This is why we applaud Assemblymember Bronson for this additional investment into the Climate Jobs Institute, which will open more doors for our tradesmen and tradeswomen and support the workforce development necessary to complete these projects.”