New Jersey Union Leaders Call for Homegrown Clean Energy Solutions

Labor coalition argues state control of energy planning can lower bills, create union jobs, and combat climate change

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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New Jersey's labor unions have launched a coalition called Climate Jobs New Jersey to push for a bold policy agenda in Trenton that would put the state in charge of energy planning and purchasing. The goal is to rapidly deploy rooftop solar, energy storage, and other in-state clean energy generation to lower electricity bills, create good union jobs, and tackle the climate crisis.

Why it matters

New Jersey currently imports much of its power, leaving the state vulnerable to price volatility. By taking control of energy planning and prioritizing homegrown clean energy, the state can simultaneously address the energy affordability crisis, create thousands of union jobs in communities across New Jersey, and make progress on climate change goals.

The details

The Climate Jobs New Jersey coalition, made up of nine labor unions, is proposing two key policies to the state government: 1) Launching a statewide program to rapidly deploy rooftop solar and energy storage, which can quickly meet rising energy demand in the dense state; and 2) Putting the state in charge of energy planning and purchasing, allowing New Jersey to develop in-state clean energy generation and ensure local workers benefit from new projects.

  • On her first day in office, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed executive orders to lower electricity bills and expand clean energy generation.
  • The Climate Jobs New Jersey coalition is bringing its policy agenda to the state legislature this year.

The players

Charlie Wowkanech

President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.

Mike Hellstrom

Vice president and Eastern Regional manager of the Laborers' International Union of North America.

Greg Lalevee

Business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825. All three are officers of Climate Jobs New Jersey.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill

The governor of New Jersey who recognized the energy crisis and signed executive orders on her first day in office to lower electricity bills and expand clean energy generation.

Climate Jobs New Jersey

A coalition of nine labor unions united to power New Jersey's clean energy economy with union jobs and tackle the energy affordability crisis.

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What they’re saying

“If we want to bring down energy bills, create good union jobs, and tackle the climate crisis — all at once — we need to build more clean energy here in New Jersey.”

— Charlie Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO

“Labor's vision promises to bring economic prosperity, lifelong union careers, and a healthier environment to our communities for years to come.”

— Greg Lalevee, Business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825

What’s next

The Climate Jobs New Jersey coalition is bringing its policy agenda to the state legislature this year, aiming to put the state in charge of energy planning and purchasing to drive investment in homegrown clean energy projects.

The takeaway

By taking control of energy planning and prioritizing in-state clean energy generation, New Jersey can simultaneously address the energy affordability crisis, create thousands of union jobs, and make progress on climate change goals - a win-win-win solution for the state's workers and communities.