Clean Power Industry Commits to Initiative for Energy Transition that Benefits Workers, Communities, and Those Historically Left Behind

The American Clean Power Association (ACP), on behalf of its over 700 member companies, today announced its Energy Transition for All initiative – an industry-wide framework to ensure that workers, communities, and those historically left behind stand to benefit from the rapid growth of the clean power sector in the United States. The initiative was launched today with the release of a report containing an outline of multi-year industry objectives to realize those goals.

“The United States is in an unprecedented transition toward a clean energy future,” said Heather Zichal, ACP CEO. “If undertaken thoughtfully, this transition will be an unparalleled opportunity to create a better future for everyone, offering greater access to clean and affordable energy along with expanding economic growth and opportunities for investment and innovation. With the launch of this initiative, ACP member companies across the wind, solar, transmission, and energy storage technologies are committing to this vision for an equitable Energy Transition for All.”

Today, renewable energy represents roughly 13% of electricity generation in the U.S. By 2030, the clean energy industry could account for as much as 50% of the electricity produced in the U.S. – creating 500,000 jobs, attracting $700 billion in new investment, and completely reimagining how power is generated and delivered across the United States.

The Energy Transition for All initiative is designed to expand opportunities for workers in disadvantaged communities and to help spur local economic development by promoting diversity and inclusion across the clean power sector.

The Energy Transition for All report identifies a series of responsibilities and associated actions to be taken by the clean power sector over the coming years across the following three pillars:

• Pillar #1: Expand opportunity for workers, especially those from transitioning and historically disadvantaged communities

• Pillar #2: Create value for communities through supply chains, targeted investments, and local economic development

• Pillar #3: Lead in diversity and inclusion, striving towards a workforce and leadership teams that are representative of the communities we operate in.

ACP and its members will pursue programs across these three pillars as part of this multi-year initiative. Additionally, member companies and ACP will partner with local and national organizations and policymakers providing expertise, implementation support, perspectives, and networks that can help them support an energy transition for all. As the industry and the external environment evolve, so too will the focus and areas of commitment.

The report also highlights the broad range of existing programs offered by individual companies within the clean power industry that provide economic opportunity to transitioning workers and communities and increase the participation of diverse and underrepresented communities in the industry. ACP sees the initiative as an opportunity and an obligation to scale best practices and drive a cross-sector approach in order to achieve even greater impact in the coming years.

“There is no single solution to ensure a successful energy transition,” Zichal said. “It will take coordination from policymakers, community leaders, and industry to ensure that the transition is equitable and that everyone shares in the economic growth and opportunity. As an industry, we are committed to playing our part in creating a better future for everyone and an energy transition for all.”

Read more at the Energy Transition for All website.