Industry and IBEW News

Hartford Project Would Turn Former Trade School Into Apartments. It's Not A Done Deal Yet.

https://www.courant.com/2025/10/11/ct-project-would-turn-former-trade-school-into-apartments-its-not-a-done-deal-yet/

A redevelopment plan for the former Hartford Trade School building at 110 Washington Street would create approximately 57 affordable and workforce housing units through a $33.6 million project by Arch Communities and Boston Communities. The 1928 building, which has been used as a city warming center, is pending approval from the city council and environmental reviews, with construction potentially starting in spring 2026. Source: courant.com

As Data Centers Upend Grids, Largest US Operator Faces A Revolt from State Officials

https://grist.org/climate-energy/data-centers-electric-grids-pjm-operator-state-officials/

Eleven governors from PJM Interconnection member states are demanding greater control over grid operations as data center expansion drives capacity auction costs from $2.2 billion to $16.1 billion in two years. The surge in electricity demand from AI and data centers has caused ratepayer bills to increase substantially, with some threatening to withdraw from the 13-state grid altogether. Source: grist.org

IBEW Takes Chicago By Storm in Show of Tradeswomen Solidarity

https://ibew11.org/2025/10/ibew-takes-chicago-by-storm-in-show-of-tradeswomen-solidarity/

Nearly 6,000 tradeswomen gathered in Chicago for the 15th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, with IBEW representing over 800 members including 26 from Local 11. The event featured workshops on empowerment and leadership, highlighting growing programs like EMPOWER and the first-ever All-Women's Veteran Electrical Entry Program Pre-Apprenticeship class. Source: ibew11.org

Administration Axed NOAA's Climate Disaster Data. This Group Brought It Back

https://time.com/7327517/saving-noaa-billion-dollar-climate-disaster-data/

After the administration discontinued NOAA's billion-dollar disaster database in May 2025, Climate Central revived it under the leadership of former NOAA scientist Adam Smith. The database has tracked 417 weather and climate disasters totaling over $3 trillion since 1980, with 14 billion-dollar disasters occurring in the first six months of 2025 alone. Source: time.com

Facing A Hostile Administration, US Offshore Wind Is in Retreat

https://e360.yale.edu/features/east-coast-offshore-wind

US offshore wind faces a 56% decrease in development by 2035 with $114 billion in investments canceled or delayed due to administration policies including a temporary leasing moratorium, 50% tariffs on turbine parts, and early termination of tax credits. Only seven wind farms remain operational or under construction on the East Coast, far short of the Biden administration's original goals. Source: e360.yale.edu