Articles from IBEW News

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There's a Race to Power the Future. China Is Pulling Away.

China is dramatically outpacing the United States in clean energy development, with more wind turbines and solar panels installed last year than in the rest of the world combined. China's clean energy boom is going global, with Chinese companies building electric vehicle and battery factories across multiple continents. This development has significant implications for IBEW members as it shapes the global energy landscape and affects domestic energy infrastructure projects and employment opportunities in the electrical sector. Source: nytimes.com

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/30/climate/china-clean-energy-power.…

Roundtable : Clean Energy Cuts Threaten AI Boom, Hike Costs

Washington state leaders have criticized the Republican-led repeal of clean energy tax credits, warning that these cuts could threaten the AI boom and increase energy costs. The roundtable discussion highlighted concerns about how eliminating clean energy incentives could impact data center development and artificial intelligence infrastructure projects. For IBEW members, this represents potential changes in both renewable energy construction jobs and the growing data center electrical work sector. Source: geekwire.com

https://www.geekwire.com/2025/trumps-mega-bill-blasted-by-washington-leaders-cle…

EPA Plans to End Greenhouse Gas Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to rescind its endangerment finding on greenhouse gas emissions, which could fundamentally change federal climate and energy regulations. This policy shift would eliminate many environmental restrictions on power plants and industrial facilities, potentially affecting the types of electrical infrastructure projects that IBEW members work on. The change could impact both renewable energy development and traditional power generation sector employment opportunities. Source: insideclimatenews.org

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/25072025/epa-to-rescind-endangerment-finding-…

How Heatwaves are Affecting Power Grids

Extreme heat events are placing unprecedented stress on electrical power grids, creating both challenges and opportunities for the electrical workforce. Heatwaves increase electricity demand for cooling while simultaneously reducing transmission efficiency and stressing equipment. For IBEW members, this trend represents growing demand for grid maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, and emergency repair work as utilities work to maintain reliable service during extreme weather events. Source: sustainabilitymag.com

https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/climate-change-how-heatwaves-are-affecting-po…

Have Renewables Decreased Electricity Prices

An analysis examining whether renewable energy sources have actually reduced electricity prices for consumers, with implications for energy policy and market dynamics. The study explores the complex relationship between renewable energy deployment and electricity costs, considering factors like grid integration costs and market structures. For IBEW members, understanding these price dynamics is crucial as they affect both employment opportunities in different energy sectors and the long-term viability of various electrical infrastructure projects. Source: theclimatebrink.com

https://www.theclimatebrink.com/p/have-renewables-decreased-electricity

The Impact of AI Prompts On Climate

An investigation into how artificial intelligence operations and data processing are contributing to climate emissions through massive energy consumption. AI systems require enormous amounts of electricity for training and operation, creating both environmental concerns and significant opportunities for electrical infrastructure development. For IBEW members, the AI boom represents a major growth sector requiring specialized electrical work in data centers, power distribution, and cooling systems to support these energy-intensive computing operations. Source: time.com

https://time.com/7295844/climate-emissions-impact-ai-prompts/

Electricians Sit Idle as Green Energy Projects Halt

IBEW electricians across Maine are experiencing significant job losses as green energy projects stall due to federal incentive cuts. Maine's clean energy progress has slowed as solar projects stall, with unions reporting around 100 jobs lost due to canceled contracts and a 40 percent decline in apprenticeship applications. The uncertainty around federal tax credits is causing companies to delay or cancel renewable energy projects that had been in development, directly impacting IBEW members and union growth. Source: newscentermaine.com

https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/maine-electricians-idle-green…

How Administration's AI Plan Will Affect Energy in the US

The Trump administration's ambitious AI development plan calls for massive data center construction that will significantly impact US energy infrastructure. President Donald Trump's plan to boost artificial intelligence and build data centers across the U.S. could speed up a building boom that was already expected to strain the nation's ability to power it. The initiative promises substantial work opportunities for IBEW electricians in data center construction, power plant development, and grid infrastructure upgrades needed to support AI computing demands. Source: apnews.com

https://apnews.com/article/trump-artificial-intelligence-energy-data-centers-f21…

With Energy Demand Surging, Experts Caution Against Choosing 'Favorite' Sources

As energy demand continues to surge driven by AI data centers and industrial growth, energy experts warn against favoring particular energy sources over others. The rapid increase in electricity needs requires an "all-of-the-above" approach that includes traditional and renewable sources to ensure grid reliability. This balanced perspective is particularly relevant for IBEW members who work across all energy sectors, from coal and natural gas plants to solar and wind installations. Source: msn.com

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/with-energy-demand-surging-experts-cauti…

IBEW : Leading Us Into the Future

IBEW Local 11 highlights the union's critical role in building America's electrical infrastructure for the future. The article emphasizes how IBEW members are leading the transition to new energy technologies while maintaining grid reliability and safety standards. From renewable energy installations to smart grid technology and data center construction, IBEW electricians are at the forefront of modernizing America's electrical systems and ensuring the skilled workforce needed for emerging technologies. Source: ibew11.org

https://ibew11.org/2025/07/ibew-leading-us-into-the-future/

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