International Union Painters and Allied Trades and the BlueGreen Alliance responds to Department of Energy’s Request for Information on Preparing Workers and Businesses to Deliver Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification Measures
The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) and International Union Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) are pleased to submit the following joint comments to the DOE on designing the workforce development programs funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), including the Energy Auditor Training grant program (EAT), the Career Skills Training programs (CST), as well as the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training program funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. These programs are an opportunity to support and create good, union jobs, ensure energy efficiency contributions to climate goals, and to address racial and economic inequality through the Justice40 Initiative.
The importance of having a qualified energy efficiency workforce cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that poor installation of HVAC and energy efficiency measures often result in energy savings losses of up to 50% compared to projected savings goals. Investing in a qualified workforce, through accessible yet rigorous training, not only ensures the full potential of DOE’s investment but also that building occupants receive the full expected health and energy benefits while creating good, union jobs and career pipelines. Whether it is HVAC installation, energy auditors or whole home retrofits, it is important to ensure that a qualified workforce does the work properly the first time.
Read the comments.