Industry and IBEW News

A Growing Bipartisan Embrace of Fire Technology

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2025/06/26/the-california-climate-export-catching-fire-in-trumps-d-c-00428840

An examination of how California's wildfire prevention and management technologies are gaining bipartisan political support at the federal level. The article explores how innovative fire suppression and prevention technologies developed in California are being adopted nationwide, with growing backing from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. This technology transfer represents a rare area of political consensus on climate-related infrastructure and public safety investments. Source: politico.com

UI Responds In Monopole Dispute

https://patch.com/connecticut/fairfield/ui-responds-statements-fairfield-advocates-monopole-dispute

United Illuminating executive Jim Cole responds to Fairfield advocates' claims about the company's proposed monopole transmission line project through Fairfield and Bridgeport. Cole addresses what he calls "false and misleading information" regarding easements, cost estimates, and project necessity, defending UI's overhead solution over underground alternatives citing significant cost differences and technical complexities.

Park Street Hotel Approved

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/park_street_hotel_gets_greenlight_with_caveats

Penn Real Estate Group receives approval for a 150-room Marriott Residence Inn on Park Street in New Haven. The project will replace vacant medical offices, a former laundromat, and surface parking with a hotel featuring 31 parking spaces, private courtyard, meeting rooms, and public cafe and bar, despite community concerns about gentrification and parking impacts.

Program Increases Renewable Training, Prepares Young Workers for Electrical Careers (EW)

https://ibew.org/electrical_worker/illinois-program-increases-renewable-training-prepares-young-workers-for-electrical-career/?ref=ew

Illinois IBEW program expands renewable energy training opportunities for young workers, preparing the next generation of electricians for careers in the growing clean energy sector while addressing workforce development needs.

Google to Invest $25B in Data Centers, AI Infrastructure Across Largest US Electric Grid

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/15/google-to-invest-25-billion-in-data-centers-ai-infrastructure-in-pjm.html

Google announces a massive $25 billion investment over two years to expand data centers and AI infrastructure across the PJM Interconnection grid, covering 13 states and creating significant opportunities for electrical workers in the nation's largest electric grid region.