Unlocking the Future of America's Clean Energy Workforce
With major clean energy investments being implemented, many U.S. companies have begun to announce new clean energy-related plants and projects across the country. This represents a potential game-changing opportunity for the clean energy workforce and those looking to make a shift into the industry. According to the American Clean Power Plan, “an aggressive decarbonization policy has the potential to create roughly five to six million jobs across solar, wind, and battery storage technologies”. What do these jobs look like? What types of development and training opportunities exist? How does the industry overcome challenges in the labor market? This event will serve to give a high-level overview of these topics to the clean energy community, Congressional staff, and other key allies in an effort to increase awareness of the opportunities and challenges that exist in the labor market.
Array Technologies for Albuquerque Groundbreaking Announcement
Photo courtesy of Array Technologies
On Friday, April 26, Array Technologies announced the groundbreaking of a new $50+ million manufacturing campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s production tax credit, this facility will create good-paying local jobs, strengthen the domestic solar supply chain, and boost American energy independence. U.S. Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, Bernalillo County Commission Chair Barbara Baca, and Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) joined Array to break ground on the new 216,000-square-foot campus. The facility is expected to employ over 300 local residents in the near term to facilitate the production, assembly, design, engineering, and customer service of solar tracking technology.
Powering America 201: Building Our Electric Grid for the 21st Century
As Summer weather sets in, rising temperatures and more frequent storms are once again shining the spotlight on our nation’s electric grid. While clean energy sources can provide long-term solutions to energy security and stability, in order to fully realize that potential we need to modernize and improve our electric grid and transmission infrastructure. CE4A will revisit our conversation from 2022 with the goal of educating the public and the media on the relationship between renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, the funding allocated for grid modernization from laws like the IRA/IIJA/CHIPs, what still needs to be addressed in future legislation, and the role the clean energy industry can play in this process.
Bedrock Energy Geothermal Unveiling
On Wednesday, April 17, Bedrock Energy unveiled a pioneering geothermal heating and cooling system, which CE4A supported at the Clean Energy at Work event. Bedrock co-founder and chief technology officer Silviu Livescu, CEO Joselyn La, a U.S. Department of Energy representative, and an executive from Joint Base San Antonio were all in attendance. Located in the Penn Field business center in Austin, Texas, the project is a first of its kind. The geothermal project is in an urban setting with a minimal carbon footprint. Bedrock drilled 11 holes for pipes forming a manifold connected to the commercial building. Water is pumped in and kept at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the constant temperature at 800 feet below the surface. The 75-degree water circulates through the building, which keeps the temperature constant. Bedrock co-founder and chief technology officer Silviu Livescu said at the event, "Drilling in a parking lot in an urban environment without affecting the noise levels for the tenants in the building is remarkable." Pumps replace the building's cold air in the winter with warmer air from below ground. Geothermal technology is transforming the U.S. energy landscape. Bedrock Energy's geothermal technology is crucial to a clean, more sustainable future.
Shaping the Future of Clean Energy
With the recent influx of clean energy investments flowing into states, we have begun to see a boom in the development of new and innovative technologies. The clean energy transition will require a broad swath of these projects being incorporated into the workforce through training and information sharing. What are the most exciting projects on the horizon? What innovations are already seeing success? What are the challenges to full-scale deployment? This briefing will serve to give a high-level overview to the clean energy community, Congressional staff, and other key allies in an effort to showcase the opportunities and challenges that exist in the development and deployment of clean and smart tech.
Media Training: Clean Energy for America
Please join CE4A for a media training for current and potential members of the CE4A Talkers program. First, you’ll get an intro into the media surrogates program. Then, you’ll learn the strategies and skills needed to successfully talk with the press about clean energy.
The Sonic Boom: Clean Energy’s Rapid Acceleration in the U.S.
With investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act, many U.S. companies have begun to announce new clean energy-related manufacturing plants and projects across the country. This represents a potential game-changing opportunity for the clean energy transition and decarbonization. And it is only the beginning - new projects and groundbreakings are likely to be announced over the coming months and years. A major shift is on the horizon.
Inflation Reduction Act Birthday Party on Capitol Hill
The Inflation Reduction Act is turning one, and thanks to its investments the clean energy economy is growing! Join us Thursday, July 27th for some fun party games and sweet treats as we celebrate the over 100,000 clean energy jobs created in the IRA’s first year.
Decarbonizing the Future: Direct Air Capture and Other Carbon Management Technologies (Zoom Webinar)
Along with deep decarbonization across all sectors of the economy, carbon removal is essential to getting to net-zero emissions by mid-century. This will require both natural and technological means of removal, such as enhanced carbon uptake from forests, adjusted agricultural practices, and large-scale deployment of DAC with sequestration. This event will serve to give a high-level overview of those topics in an effort to increase awareness of and support for direct air capture and other carbon management technologies.
Clean Vehicles: Greening the Transportation Sector (Zoom Webinar)
Clean vehicle standards represent an opportunity for the acceleration of clean energy transition and decarbonization. With new heavy and light duty standards officially announced, many of you may be asking, “what’s next?”.
Sustainable Aviation 101: Decarbonizing the Aviation Industry (Zoom Webinar)
The aviation industry represents one of the hardest to decarbonize sectors of the economy. But with new technologies and breakthroughs in sustainable fuels, emissions reductions, and CO2 utilization, real progress is underway.
Geothermal 101: Making a Zero-Carbon Energy Future a Reality (Zoom Webinar)
Geothermal energy represents a potential game-changing opportunity for the clean energy transition and decarbonization. And new policy initiatives, increased utilization of this technology is on the horizon. But just what is geothermal? What are the potentials for the technology? And how do we deploy it on a larger scale? Our panel of experts will answer these questions and more.
Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Briefing (Zoom Webinar)
Join us for a conversation David M. Hart, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and Kerry C. Duggan, SustainabiliD will discuss ideas for the forthcoming Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI).
Clean Hydrogen 101: Making a Zero-Carbon Energy Future a Reality (Zoom Webinar)
With billions of dollars in new federal clean hydrogen initiatives, increased utilization of this technology is on the horizon. But just what is clean hydrogen? What are the potentials for the technology? And how do we deploy it on a larger scale? Our panel of experts will answer these questions and more.
Jobs for Vets: Defending Energy and Job Security with the Inflation Reduction Act (Zoom Webinar)
Join us for a conversation on the impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and what it’ll will mean for job opportunities for veterans and improved energy security.
National Security and Emerging Clean Energy Technology (Zoom Webinar)
Join us for a virtual discussion with veterans and clean energy experts who are on the leading edge of this transition.
Building Our Electric Grid for the 21st Century (Zoom Webinar)
Join us for a conversation with issue experts about powering America with a modern, reliable electric grid, fueled by clean energy.
Supercharging Solar Jobs (Zoom Webinar)
Join us for a conversation with Congressional, environmental, and industry leaders as we call on Congress and the Administration to pass long-overdue clean energy investments.
U.S. Clean Energy Leadership with Secretary Granholm (Livestream Event)
Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm will moderate a discussion with clean energy leaders from across the industry. They’ll discuss how President Biden’s climate agenda will unlock investments to cut costs, create jobs, address longstanding energy inequities, and achieve true energy independence as Putin's war in Ukraine continues.
Net Metering Conversation (Zoom Webinar)
Join Solar Rights Alliance and Solar United Neighbors for a conversation on net metering proposals currently under consideration in California and Florida.
Don’t Quit On Clean Energy Virtual Congressional Rally
Clean Energy for America invite will host an online rally with three clean energy champions from the U.S. House of Representatives: Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA), and Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL).
We Won’t Quit On Clean Energy Virtual Rally
Clean Energy for America and the Solar Energy Industries Association invite you to join us for a special conversation with clean energy champions Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) on how we will continue to move forward on historic federal investments in clean energy, moderated by SEIA President and CEO, Abigail Ross Hopper.
Local Solar for All Community Briefing (Zoom Webinar)
Local Solar For All and members of the Solar Access for All Coalition will present findings from a new analysis conducted by grid modeling experts at Vibrant Clean Energy; showing deploying a minimum of 103 gigawatts (GW) of distributed, local solar power and 137 GW of distributed energy storage by 2030 to achieve President Biden’s climate and equity goals at the lowest cost.
The Bright Future of Clean Energy: Featuring Senator Jon Ossoff (Zoom Webinar)
Join CE4A for a panel discussion featuring Senator Jon Ossoff and SEIA CEO Abby Hopper, moderated by BlocPower CEO Donnel Baird. They will discuss the future of clean energy and the historic investments being considered in Congress.
Clean Energy & the Build Back Better Agenda (Zoom Webinar)
Join CE4A for a panel discussion featuring Ari Matusiak, CEO of Rewiring America, and Dr. Leah Stokes, senior policy advisor and member of the Evergreen Advisory Board, moderated by CE4A board member Dr. Audrey Lee. They will discuss their work and the historic clean energy investments under consideration in Congress.