Union Leaders Applaud Biden’s Infrastructure and Clean Energy Efforts
In recent years, the Biden administration has taken significant steps to revitalize America’s infrastructure and energy sectors. This initiative was a focal point at the AFL-CIO convention in early June, where union leaders highlighted the positive impact of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on job creation in clean energy. These legislative efforts have been crucial in addressing the nation’s infrastructure challenges, as highlighted by the Center for Economic and Policy Research’s Majority Agenda, which points out that the US energy infrastructure received a concerning D+ grade.
According to the Roosevelt Institute, the energy sector has seen substantial growth, with clean energy jobs representing nearly 44% of all US energy jobs. The institute reports that “energy jobs grew every year of the Biden administration” and that “[c]lean energy investments powered job growth in the sector.” Clean energy has accounted for 72% of the energy job growth following the IIJA and IRA, translating into over 450,000 net new jobs.
The Biden administration has strategically linked project funding to labor and community benefits agreements, which has supported the rise in union jobs within the energy sector. This contrasts with the overall decline in the private-sector unionization rate, as shown in Figure 1.
In contrast, the Trump administration has taken steps that many view as regressive, such as canceling wind energy projects. This move has drawn criticism from labor leaders like John L. Downey, president of the International Union of Operating Engineers. In a statement issued on December 23, 2025, Downey criticized the administration’s decision: “The International Union of Operating Engineers denounces the Trump Administration’s decision to issue stop work orders on five large scale energy projects and immediately laying off thousands of American workers right before Christmas.”
Downey further expressed concern over the administration’s policy, stating, “As working families struggle with a nationwide affordability crisis, the Administration’s decision adds insult to injury to thousands of construction workers who will be getting pink slips instead of holiday bonuses this week. This shortsighted decision, cloaked under a ‘national security’ label, to halt construction on previously vetted and approved projects will only increase energy prices for ratepayers and hand America’s energy future to foreign competitors.”
Despite these setbacks, there are indications that state governments might resume wind energy projects, even as the Trump administration continues its anti-clean-energy stance. With ongoing efforts from unions and clean energy advocates, there remains hope for a sustainable and prosperous energy future for the United States.
Originally published on CEPR.
Original Story at www.counterpunch.org