Calvin Butler serves as the president and CEO of Exelon, while Kenneth Cooper holds the position of IBEW International president.
A strong, modern power grid is not just a technical marvel; it’s vital for America’s economic strength and national security. For years, this grid has reliably delivered electricity to cities, small towns, businesses, and crucial services nationwide. However, this long-standing system is now experiencing significant changes.
Currently, both the country and the world face unprecedented energy demands. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) forecasts that energy consumption from data centers could more than double by the year 2030. As these data centers become essential for powering advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, maintaining the grid itself is becoming increasingly complex. It’s crucial to prepare a skilled workforce equipped to upgrade the grid, ensuring it can handle not only new energy demands but also withstand severe weather and natural disasters.
This urgent need was emphasized during a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., where labor and management representatives from the energy sector gathered for the National Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee’s annual conference.
As leaders of a prominent energy delivery company and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which represents 858,000 skilled workers, we embody a vital relationship: the infrastructure needed for energy and the people who build and maintain it for public benefit.
Collaborations between local energy firms and labor organizations highlight essential components of a thriving energy system. By focusing on workforce development and innovation, we can maintain our leadership in grid reliability and technology. This means not only adapting to challenges but also creating jobs that support families and boost our local economies.
America’s competitive edge relies on the talent and creativity of our workforce and the durability of our infrastructure. Preparing our power grid for both today’s needs and future demands requires skilled workers to design, install, and maintain a system involving increased energy production, new sources of energy, smart technology, and energy storage solutions.
The partnership between Exelon and the IBEW has led to significant investments in training programs, like the Pepco utility training initiative at the District of Columbia Infrastructure Academy, along with similar programs at Exelon’s other utilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northern Illinois regions: Atlantic City Electric, Baltimore Gas and Electric, ComEd, Delmarva Power, and PECO.
Exelon and the IBEW also recognize the importance of advocating for policies that will support ongoing investments in the grid. The jobs created through grid modernization, including the essential repair and maintenance work carried out by IBEW members, act as a powerful economic driver, increasing demand for local goods and services from suppliers and construction firms.
While advancements in AI and technology have simplified many tasks, it’s essential to appreciate the intricate workings of the power grid that powers our lives and the innovative workers who are consistently improving that grid. Let’s take a moment to recognize the efforts of lineworkers, especially on Lineworker Appreciation Day (July 10), honoring the individuals who uphold the very infrastructure that sustains America’s economy and competitiveness for generations to come.