Articles from IBEW News

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DOE Issues First Solicitation for Data Center and Energy Co-Location on Designated Federal Land

The Department of Energy has released its first formal solicitation for private sector partners to develop AI data centers and energy infrastructure on federal lands, with applications due November 7, 2025. The initiative focuses on four selected sites: Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and Savannah River Site. This represents significant potential work opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members in data center construction and energy infrastructure projects. Source: jdsupra.com
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/doe-issues-first-solicitation-for-ai-7177375/

How AI Might Save More Energy Than It Soaks Up

Analysis examining how artificial intelligence systems, despite their high energy consumption for data centers and processing, may ultimately lead to net energy savings through optimization of electrical grids, smart building systems, and industrial processes. The implications for electrical workers include both challenges from automation and opportunities in deploying AI-enhanced electrical infrastructure and smart grid technologies. Source: ft.com
https://www.ft.com/content/69d6a641-971c-4fe8-a58d-0f3377a6bccb

What We Need to Know About AI and the Climate

Comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence's environmental impact, including energy demands of data centers and potential climate benefits through optimized electrical systems and renewable energy integration. The analysis covers implications for electrical infrastructure development and the role of skilled electrical workers in building sustainable AI systems while addressing climate concerns. Source: yaleclimateconnections.org
https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/09/what-you-need-to-know-about-ai-and-cl…

Meta Confronts Sustainability Tensions Amid Massive Infrastructure Expansion

Meta faces challenges balancing rapid AI infrastructure expansion with sustainability commitments, as massive data center construction increases energy demands while the company pursues carbon neutrality goals. The expansion creates significant opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members in data center construction, renewable energy integration, and advanced electrical systems installation. Source: ppc.land
https://ppc.land/meta-confronts-sustainability-tensions-amid-massive-ai-infrastr…

IBEW Members Gear Up For Jobsite ICE Defense

IBEW Local 553 members in Durham, North Carolina are organizing to protect workers from potential ICE raids on construction sites, developing strategies to defend immigrant workers' rights while maintaining jobsite safety and productivity. The initiative reflects growing concerns about workplace enforcement actions affecting the electrical construction workforce and union solidarity efforts to protect all workers regardless of immigration status. Source: wnylabortoday.com
https://www.wnylabortoday.com/news/2025/09/14/national-labor-news/taking-a-stand…

Local Rewires and Revitalizes Community Museum (EW)

IBEW Local 138 members in Detroit have completed a comprehensive electrical rewiring project at the Hamtramck Historical Museum, demonstrating union commitment to community service while showcasing skilled electrical work in historical preservation. The project involved updating aging electrical systems while maintaining the building's historical integrity, highlighting the specialized skills of IBEW electricians in restoration work. Source: ibew.org
https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/hamtramck-historical-museum-detroit-local-138…

Local Celebrates Graduating Class

IBEW Local 1 celebrates the graduation of its 2025 apprentice class, marking the completion of comprehensive electrical training programs that prepare new journeymen for careers in the electrical industry. The graduation represents continued investment in workforce development and the next generation of skilled electrical workers, ensuring strong union membership and expertise for future electrical construction and maintenance projects. Source: labortribune.com
https://labortribune.com/ibew-local-1-celebrates-2025-graduating-class/

New Lineworker Training Center Coming (EW)

A new lineworker training facility is being developed in Tennessee to meet the growing demand for skilled electrical workers. The training center will provide comprehensive education and hands-on experience for aspiring lineworkers, helping to address workforce shortages in the electrical utility industry while maintaining IBEW's high standards for safety and craftsmanship.
https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/tennessee-lineworker-training-center/?ref=ew

President Cooper: A Record-Breaking Year (EW)

IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper reports that 2025 is on track to be a record-breaking year for membership growth. Speaking at the Construction and Maintenance Conference, Cooper emphasized the union's resilience and called for continued unity and organizing efforts to strengthen the IBEW's position in the evolving electrical industry.
https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/cooper-record-breaking-year/?ref=ew

Planned Labor Rule Changes Are Bad News for IBEW Members, Working Families (EW)

The IBEW warns that proposed changes to labor regulations could negatively impact worker safety and union rights. These regulatory modifications threaten to make jobsites less safe for IBEW members in construction and mining while making it more difficult for workers to organize and maintain union protections.
https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/planned-labor-rule-changes/?ref=ew

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