Today’s episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast featured Betony Jones, former labor advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy and the creator of EnergyEmployment.us, a research hub for jobs and union rates in the energy sector. Her discussion focused on the growth of union jobs in the clean energy sector, the evolving political landscape and the vital need for stronger coalitions between clean energy companies and labor organizations.
The central theme Jones discussed is the rapid expansion of union jobs in the clean energy workforce over the past several years. By analyzing the latest research from her website, she noted that unionization rates in the energy sector consistently rose from 2021 to 2024, reaching nearly a million union jobs by the end of that period. Notably, one in three new energy jobs were unionized, and 86 percent of the 100,000 new energy positions created last year were in the clean energy sector. Jones emphasized that these gains were due to policy priorities that centered on job quality and community benefits, ensuring that federal investments funneled into clean energy projects. These efforts led to collective bargaining opportunities and enforceable labor standards on new clean energy projects.
Next, Jones discussed the continued resistance clean energy companies exhibit in forging deep relationships with organized labor, especially compared to their fossil fuel counterparts. Jones explained that fossil fuel companies routinely collaborate with unions to protect subsidies and influence legislation. In contrast, solar and wind companies have fallen short in leveraging union advocacy for clean energy policy. She argued that by not partnering robustly with labor unions for lobbying and project development, clean energy companies are missing a critical opportunity to strengthen pro-worker policies and secure the future of alternative energy in the United States.
Finally, Jones highlighted the success stories resulting from the Buy America provisions and federal incentives, which she said have helped create domestic manufacturing jobs in the clean energy sector. While acknowledging that some projects have faced setbacks under the current administration, Jones remained optimistic, citing ongoing investments in solar, wind, nuclear and geothermal facilities. She emphasized the importance of collective bargaining agreements and project labor agreements, citing data that showed unionized employers faced fewer labor shortages and demonstrated stronger commitments to diversity and training. Despite political headwinds, Jones said the momentum for union jobs in clean energy continues, and the sector is poised to experience significant workforce growth for years to come.
For more from Jones and the future of unions in the clean energy sector, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
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