The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has released details of a new rule to protect mine workers from silica dust—the most significant contributor to the resurgence of black lung disease.

By Ben Davis, Policy Advisor The cement industry plays a vital role in the nation’s manufacturing and construction sectors. It is a foundational material in our national infrastructure, and with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act—spurring over $455 billion in public infrastructure investment during…

The BlueGreen Alliance and 17 other groups sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee to strongly recommend that the committee include at least $1 billion in crosscutting funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the decarbonization of America’s industrial base and enhance its long-term global competitiveness.

The U.S. Departments of Treasury and Energy announced the first round of project recipients for the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit (48C). The Inflation Reduction Act provided 48C with $10 billion—including $4 billion for communities that have recently lost jobs in the coal sector. Following the announcement, the BlueGreen Alliance released a statement.

Today, the California Workforce Development Board held a hearing on the implementation of Senate Bill 150—current law. This legislation directs state agencies to develop workforce standards when public dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act are used for projects in the construction and manufacturing industry.  

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $6 billion in awards to 33 projects across more than 20 states through its Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations’ Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP). This funding—made possible by initiatives championed by President Biden and Democrats in Congress and passed into law—will help strengthen local economies across the nation and create and sustain tens of thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs—particularly those that support worker organizing and collective bargaining.

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $75 million to fund an industrial transformation project at Cleveland Cliffs’ Butler Works steel facility. The funding is provided by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations’ Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP).

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $500 million to fund a new Century Aluminum facility. The funding is provided by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations’ Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP). The project is expected to create roughly 1,000 permanent high-wage union jobs and 5,500 construction jobs. Century Aluminum will work with job training…

Today the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $500 million to fund and industrial transformation project at Cleveland Cliffs’ Middletown Works facility in Ohio. The funding is provided by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations’ Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP). The project is expected to create 170 permanent jobs and 1,200 temporary union construction jobs, while…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today unveiled updated guidance for the energy community tax bonus included in the Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.

As community leaders and elected officials work to unlock billions in federal funding to reduce climate pollution, the BlueGreen Alliance has released a new user guide. Job Quality and Community Benefits in the Climate Pollution Reduction Implementation Grants: A User Guide breaks down the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), offering information on how to meet application criteria and how to create high-quality jobs, engage communities, and develop community benefits. 

With the right implementation, the Manufacturing Capital Connector (MCC) could be a critical pathway through which the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) can support domestic manufacturing growth and industrial decarbonization, while creating good union jobs, re-shoring clean technology supply chains, and delivering public health and environmental benefits to the workers and communities that need it most.