Directs the commissioner of labor to conduct a study and report on current trends in the workforce that supports the generation and transmission of power in the utility industry

2 Co-sponsors

• Eric Adams
• Kevin S. Parker

BILL NUMBER:S5085

Title of bill

An act directing a study and report on current trends in the workforce that supports the generation and transmission of power in the utility industry

Purpose

This bill would require the Department of Labor to provide analysis and recommendations of how the traditional utility industry is addressing and should address workforce development in the areas of generation and transmission.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would add require the Department of Labor to monitor workforce trends in the utility industry.

Section 2 of the bill outlines when the Commissioner of Labor can and will initiate a report of workforce trends in the utility industry.

Section 3 of the bill requires the Commissioner of Labor to report any information that would suggest a shortage in workforce needs in the utility industry to the legislature.

Section 4 the Commissioner with the assistance of a Data Review Committee shall make recommendation on how to address any shortages in the workforce within the utility industry.

Justification

New York's traditional energy sectors are falling behind in terms of workforce development. The state's policy shift toward making the alternative energy sectors part of a long term energy strategy has left many utilities companies in the coal, gas, oil, and electric industries with little reason to make serious investments in the workforce. However, the time at which alternative energy can be a substantial contributor to New York's energy needs is many years away. This uncertainty in New York's energy transition has caused a lack of investment on the part of utilities. It is certain that because of the lack of understand of what the workforce needs are within New York's utility industry there will be an "energy gap", meaning a period of time where the traditional energy industries failed to take necessary action to ensure that the workforce and infrastructure needs were meet to guarantee a smooth transition to alternative energy at a point in time where alternative energies are able to produce the amounts of energy necessary to replace some forms of traditional energy production. Currently, we are in a serious situation as the lack of new hires coupled with an aging workforce ready to retire has created an institutional knowledge problem. This bill will shed light on the challenges New York State face as we bridge the energy gap and will be a blueprint to addressing those challenges.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

Minimal, there is no anticipation that any additional resources will be needed outside of the ones that currently exist at the DOL

Effective date

Thirty days after it shall have become law