Budzinski Convenes First Meeting of Climate Jobs Task Force

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) convened the first meeting of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Climate Jobs Task Force with experts from the Climate Jobs National Resource Center, the BlueGreen Alliance and the AFL-CIO.

“The transition to clean energy is an opportunity to create good-paying 21st Century jobs in our communities,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m so grateful to the folks from Climate Jobs National Resource Center, the BlueGreen Alliance and the AFL-CIO who joined my colleagues and I for the first meeting of our Climate Jobs Task Force. Their expertise will be critical as we find climate solutions that benefit both our workers and our economy.”

“With the climate crisis and rising inequality hitting workers hard, Congressional leadership on climate solutions that benefit workers, communities, and our planet has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Lara Skinner, executive director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. “From driving a pro-worker, pro-climate framework for implementation of historic federal climate investments to supporting inclusive and equitable workforce development, the new Climate Jobs Taskforce has a key role to play in expanding access to high-quality careers in the clean energy economy. It was an honor to address the Climate Jobs Taskforce members at their inaugural meeting today, and we look forward to working with all of the members of the Taskforce to advance worker-centered and equity-focused policy.”

Congresswoman Budzinski serves as a Co-Chair of the Climate Jobs Task Force with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10). The task force is focused on advocating for pro-worker, pro-environment policies and bringing labor and environmental groups to the table to find climate solutions that benefit our economy and our planet. Today’s meeting featured Lara Skinner, Climate Jobs National Resource Center and Executive Director of the Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University’s Industrial Labor Relations school, Jason Walsh, Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance and Samantha Smith, AFL-CIO Strategic Advisor to the President on Clean Energy Jobs.

The Climate Jobs Task Force is a part of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition’s efforts to tackle climate challenges. The coalition will work to encourage clean energy workforce development and pro-manufacturing policies, advance registered apprenticeship programs and tax credits, create good paying jobs in the clean energy industry, promote stronger workplace protections and ensure that impacted legacy energy workers receive the proper resources and attention.

Members of the Climate Jobs Task Force include Representatives Jake Auchincloss (MA-4), Bobby Scott (VA-3), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Seth Magaziner (RI-2), Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-4).

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