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WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) today introduced the Good Energy Jobs Act, legislation that would codify labor and community benefit requirements, mandating that financial assistance delivered by the Department of Energy (DOE) supports high-quality jobs, broad community benefits, domestic manufacturing, and investment in small and disadvantaged communities

During the Biden administration, the Department of Energy delivered significant financial assistance contingent on strong labor standards, including support for disadvantaged communities and more. The result was a boom in private sector energy investments, resulting in massive growth in high-quality construction and energy technology manufacturing jobs throughout the county. The Good Energy Jobs Act would build upon this progress.

“I’ve always believed that investing in people and communities is the surest way to strengthen our economy,” Congressman Tonko said. “Our Good Energy Jobs Act takes that principle to heart, building on the successes of our Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with strong labor standards that create good-paying, union jobs and drive community development. Our legislation envisions a future where the Department of Energy isn’t just an ATM for project developers, but a partner in building a more prosperous economy for everyone. I’m thankful to my colleagues for standing with me to introduce this legislation, and urge Congress to join us in advancing this commonsense bill.”

"If we want to build the next generation of American energy infrastructure, we need to empower the union men and women who are going to build it,” Congresswoman Budzinski said. “This legislation ensures that workers are paid family-sustaining wages and have a fair shot at organizing, while also ensuring that projects drive local economic development on the front-end through clear, binding commitments. I’m honored to lead this bill with Congressman Tonko and Ranking Member Heinrich and proud to have the support of so many labor unions who see the impact this bill will have on America's workforce and the communities their members call home.”

“My dad was an IBEW lineman, and he spent his career helping keep the lights on for our community. His union job gave him the ability to provide for our family, buy a home, and give my siblings and me opportunities that neither of my parents had growing up. That's what a good energy job can do: it doesn’t just power our homes and our economy — it can power the American dream,” said Heinrich. “That’s why, when we invest taxpayer dollars in America’s energy future, those investments should create good-paying jobs, strengthen American manufacturing, and deliver real benefits to the communities where projects are built.”

This legislation is endorsed by several of the nation’s leading labor and environmental organizations, including: BlueGreen Alliance, Communications Workers of America; International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; International Brotherhood of Teamsters; Iron Workers International; Laborers' International Union of North America; League of Conservation Voters; National Wildlife Federation; ReImagine Appalachia; Sierra Club; and United Steelworkers.

Quotes from supporting organizations can be found HERE.

A fact sheet of the bill can be found HERE.

A section by section summary can be found HERE.

Text of the bill can be found HERE.