Finkenauer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Create Jobs in Wind Industry

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) introduced the bipartisan Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020. The bill is a significant step toward creating new careers in wind energy, providing opportunities for veterans, and investing in training for wind technicians to grow our workforce.

"Renewable energy has been vital to our economy in Iowa and to the future of our environment. We must do everything we can to continue leading the way in wind energy," Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer said. "This bill makes sure Iowans and people across the country gain critical skills on the path to careers in the wind sector. It's an investment in people and I'm proud to introduce this on behalf of Iowans and to work with a group of bipartisan colleagues on this legislation." 

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Cindy Axne (D-IA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), and Tom Cole (R-OK). It would commission a report that assesses the needs of the growing wind technician workforce in addition to creating career pathways for veterans by authorizing $2 million annually over five years to establish a program that would prepare veterans for careers in the wind energy industry.

It would also authorize competitive grants to joint labor-management organizations and post-secondary vocational institutions that have wind technician training programs to allow them to purchase wind turbine equipment for training purposes.

“In order to increase production and successful use of wind energy in the United States, we must first invest in and train the wind technician workforce," Congressman Tom Cole said. "The Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act creates new pathways not only for technicians but also for veterans, and I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation.”

Wind power is one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the world, with Iowa leading the way by producing more wind energy than any other state besides Texas. This bill will further strengthen Iowa's wind energy sector while creating new jobs and opportunities for veterans.

“Iowa has been a leader in deploying wind energy throughout the state – resulting in thousands of good-paying jobs and setting us on a path towards a cleaner environmental future,” Congresswoman Cindy Axne said. “While working in Iowa’s state government, I helped bring Iowa’s wind energy industry to scale by directing the Governor’s Leadership Agenda for Energy Efficiency and Clean Environment. I am proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation to help grow Iowa’s workforce, provide skills training for veterans, and keep Iowa on the cutting edge of wind energy.”

The bill has been endorsed nationally by American Association of Community Colleges, American Wind Energy Association, Association for Career and Technical Education, Association of Community College Trustees, Iowa Association of Community College Trustees, and International Union of Operating Engineers.

“The U.S. wind industry workforce is growing every day, helping strengthen the American economy," said Bree Raum, Vice President of Federal Affairs for the American Wind Energy Association. "This legislation will build on that momentum, providing the training and opportunity for the wind energy workforce to succeed in the clean energy future and preparing veterans for careers that further our country’s energy security. We applaud Reps. Finkenauer, Axne, Bacon, Cartwright, and Cole for introducing this legislation and we look forward to working with them to turn it into law.”

By the numbers:

• The U.S. wind sector employs more than 114,000 people, according to the American Wind Energy Association
• Wind turbine technician is projected to be one of the two fastest-growing American jobs, with employment projected to grow 57 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
• The U.S. wind industry employs veterans at a rate 67 percent above the national average, according to the American Wind Energy Association

Bipartisan support for the Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020:

Congressman Bacon (R-NE): “The Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act provides veterans with an opportunity to use their skills in an emerging workforce once they return home from service. As more turbines are built and wind development increases across the country, the need to expand the workforce in this field is more apparent than ever.”

Congressman Cartwright (D-PA): “The wind energy industry has enormous potential to create high-paying jobs and boost local economies in Pennsylvania and nationwide. I am proud to work on this bipartisan legislation to support the growing wind energy workforce. This bill not only helps to keep the lights on for families and businesses, it builds a pathway for students and veterans to make a good living and serve their communities.”

“The International Union of Operating Engineers supports the Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act of 2020 to address the needs of America’s workers while the nation’s energy portfolio evolves. We thank Rep. Finkenauer for her leadership and thoughtfulness on this critical issue,” said James T. Callahan, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. 

“The Wind Workforce Modernization and Training Act will help community colleges purchase the equipment necessary to train wind technicians, a growing workforce in Iowa’s economy,” said MJ Dolan, Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. “This bill will support our community colleges for development of this key workforce to keep Iowa a leader in wind energy.”