Budzinski, Tonko, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Ensure Federal Energy Investments Create Good-Paying Union Jobs and Benefit Workers and Communities

Resources / Press Share on Budzinski, Tonko, Heinrich Introduce Legislation to Ensure Federal Energy Investments Create Good-Paying Union Jobs and Benefit Workers and Communities Sep 16, 2026 Press WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Paul Tonko (NY-21) introduced the Good Energy Jobs Act , legislation that ensures federal investments in America’s energy future create good-paying union jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and deliver meaningful benefits to the communities where projects are built. The Good Energy Jobs Act would codify labor and community-benefit standards that the Department of Energy (DOE) has used as conditions for certain federal financial assistance, ensuring that taxpayer-supported energy projects provide tangible benefits to American workers and communities. “If we want to build the next generation of American energy infrastructure, we need to empower the union men and women who are going to build it. This legislation ensures that workers are paid family-sustaining wages and have a fair shot at organizing, while also ensuring that projects drive local economic development on the front-end through clear, binding commitments,” said Budzinski . “I’m honored to lead this bill with Congressman Tonko and Ranking Member Heinrich and proud to have the support of so many labor unions who see the impact this bill will have on America’s workforce and the communities their members call home.” “I’ve always believed that investing in people and communities is the surest way to strengthen our economy,” Tonko said. “Our Good Energy Jobs Act takes that principle to heart, building on the successes of our Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with strong labor standards that create good-paying, union jobs and drive community development. Our legislation envisions a future where the Department of Energy isn’t just an ATM for project developers, but a partner in building a more prosperous economy for everyone. I’m thankful to my colleagues for standing with me to introduce this legislation, and urge Congress to join us in advancing this commonsense bill.” DOE investments and financial assistance have helped catalyze significant private investment in energy projects across the country, establishing strong labor standards and community benefit plans. The Good Energy Jobs Act would make these standards permanent by codifying labor and community benefit requirements for energy jobs by mandating that DOE financial assistance supports high-quality jobs, broad community benefits, domestic manufacturing, and investments in small and disadvantaged communities. The Good Energy Jobs Act: Applies prevailing wage and registered apprenticeships requirements to construction, maintenance, and repair projects that use DOE funding. Requires community benefit plans that support initiatives like workforce training, local hiring, union partnerships, and direct commitments to nearby communities and residents. Prohibits offshoring the manufacture of products developed or commercialized using DOE assistance. Ensures a significant portion of federal energy funding benefits small or disadvantaged communities. Senator Martin Heirich (D-NM) , Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is leading companion legislation in the Senate. “My dad was an IBEW lineman, and he spent his career helping keep the lights on for our community. His union job gave him the ability to provide for our family, buy a home, and give my siblings and me opportunities that neither of my parents had growing up. That’s what a good energy job can do: it doesn’t just power our homes and our economy — it can power the American dream,” said Heinrich . “That’s why, when we invest taxpayer dollars in America’s energy future, those investments should create good-paying jobs, strengthen American manufacturing, and deliver real benefits to the communities where projects are built. My Good Energy Jobs Act builds on what has worked by making sure federal energy investments benefit the workers who build these projects and the communities that host them — not just the companies developing them.” The Good Energy Jobs Act is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA), United Steelworkers (USW), International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), Iron Workers International, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA), BlueGreen Alliance, National Wildlife Federation (NWF), League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Sierra Club, and ReImagine Appalachia. “Too often Washington fails to consider workers when making decisions on how federal dollars are spent. Fortunately,