GWA has been very active in recent weeks! GWA member and wind tech Joe Zimsen was featured in a CNN article today about the impact of the Trump administration's assault on the wind industry. Joe highlighted the risks posed to this growing workforce and the importance of his work building offshore wind projects. “It’s extremely frustrating. It feels like the rug can get pulled out from under our feet at basically any moment. The president has a vendetta against wind. The industry is being singled out,” Zimsen said.
We also defended renewable energy jobs in D.C. GWA member and wind tech Jonathan Powell joined over 70 members and allies of the national group People's Action to advocate for the Inflation Reduction Act and oppose cuts to critical social programs. "I was inspired by how many people showed up to do the same, as well as call and email Congress members," Jonathan said. "I met with three Congress members from Maine along with two others from our group. They all listened to our stories, and even the Republican Senator opposed stripping programs like Medicaid. However, she still voted for the recent budget proposal after assuring People's Action lobbyists that she would not. It's tough most days, but I still have hope that they will keep their word to support the programs we pay for as the funding negotiations continue."
Jonathan also joined Representative Rashida Tlaib at a rally at the offices of the American Gas Association, where he demanded it support the transition to renewable energy. "I love my job not only because it suits my strengths but because I get to provide access to cheaper, cleaner electricity to people all over the country by making sure these machines run and run well. Many of my coworkers over the years faced hardship as opportunities in the oil and gas industry dwindled. They were able to pull themselves out of it by transitioning to wind and solar, faster-growing energy sectors with no cost fuel sources," Jonathan said, ending with the call, "We need to stop sending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to utilities to keep oil and gas on life support. American Gas Association: support renewable energy now!"
And finally, we traveled the length of Texas visiting renewable energy sites after our national meeting in Houston. From Alice and Corpus Christi to Dallas, and on to Snyder, organizers Nico Ries and Maria Garza visited with GWA leaders and other renewable energy workers. A highlight of the tour was when they spoke with dozens of workers at a solar job fair in the tiny West Texas town of Denver City. Some workers traveled over eight hours for job interviews there. In Spanish and English, they took time in the freezing cold to speak with Maria and Nico, as we spread the word about the work GWA is doing to improve conditions in the renewable field.
These are challenging times, but renewable energy workers are coming together to chart a better future. We are proud that GWA is helping lead that fight.
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