Union labor calls for bold action to advance offshore wind project awards

Dear Editor,

Clean, renewable energy not only propels innovation and economic development but also secures family-sustaining union jobs. That is why IBEW
Local 400, with nearly a century of experience helping to build New Jersey infrastructure, embraces the transition toward green jobs in offshore wind.

Renewable energy partnerships can ensure opportunities for union labor, provide necessary skills training, set high safety standards, and promote a more diverse workforce. The offshore wind industry is paving the way for significant economic growth, technology innovation, supply chain investments, and good-paying jobs that benefit all New Jersey residents.

Marshaling and manufacturing ports such as the Paulsboro Marine Terminal and the New Jersey Wind Port are poised to become hubs of activity, providing employment for thousands of workers, and creating supply chain opportunities for businesses across the state. How do we advance these opportunities for residents and businesses across the State?

The Murphy administration has set a target of 11 GW of offshore wind power by 2035, establishing New Jersey as a major U.S. offshore wind industry hub. Now is the time to go big on the next round of New Jersey offshore wind awards. Clean, renewable energy promoting innovation and economic development while also supporting family-sustaining union jobs is a win-win for everyone and benefits the entire State.

As Governor Murphy stated in his recent State of the State Address, a key piece of advancing clean energy goals is strengthening organized labor by meaningfully growing New Jersey’s unionized workforce and increasing the number of apprenticeship programs in emerging fields such as clean energy. This goal, highlighted in the Governor’s address, is one that our membership shares with the Governor. IBEW Local 400 has been providing a skilled electrical workforce to both Monmouth and Ocean counties for more than one century.

Our partnership with Attentive Energy, through the Attentive Energy Two project, will generate opportunities in offshore wind across New Jersey. Since being selected by the BPU, the Attentive Energy Two project will help Local 400 expand the reach of its apprenticeship programs, ensuring a diverse and ready workforce, prepared to undertake the complexities of offshore wind projects. Moreover, Attentive Energy’s partnership fosters Local 400’s collaboration with sister locals throughout the State and will offer critical pre-apprenticeship training to traditionally underrepresented groups in the electrical trades, including members of overburdened communities, women, veterans, differently-abled New Jersey residents and others.

Real momentum to grow offshore wind capacity is building at different levels of government. Let’s advance this momentum with the next round of offshore wind awards in New Jersey.

Labor unions and offshore wind companies are ready for the demands of complex infrastructure projects to meet clean energy goals while providing well-paid work to New Jerseyans along the way.

Robert Shimko
Business Manager & Financial Secretary
IBEW Local 400
Wall, N.J.