Industry and IBEW News

Administration Axed NOAA's Climate Disaster Data. This Group Brought It Back

https://time.com/7327517/saving-noaa-billion-dollar-climate-disaster-data/

After the administration discontinued NOAA's billion-dollar disaster database in May 2025, Climate Central revived it under the leadership of former NOAA scientist Adam Smith. The database has tracked 417 weather and climate disasters totaling over $3 trillion since 1980, with 14 billion-dollar disasters occurring in the first six months of 2025 alone. Source: time.com

IBEW Takes Chicago By Storm in Show of Tradeswomen Solidarity

https://ibew11.org/2025/10/ibew-takes-chicago-by-storm-in-show-of-tradeswomen-solidarity/

Nearly 6,000 tradeswomen gathered in Chicago for the 15th Annual Tradeswomen Build Nations conference, with IBEW representing over 800 members including 26 from Local 11. The event featured workshops on empowerment and leadership, highlighting growing programs like EMPOWER and the first-ever All-Women's Veteran Electrical Entry Program Pre-Apprenticeship class. Source: ibew11.org

CT Rejects Controversial UI Monopoles Plan in Fairfield, Bridgeport

https://ctmirror.org/2025/10/16/monopoles-denied-ct-siting-council-united-illuminating/

Connecticut Siting Council voted 5-3 to reject United Illuminating's plan to build a high-voltage transmission line through Fairfield and Bridgeport using steel monopoles up to 195 feet high. The decision marks an unexpected victory for local critics who argued the project would be a visual blight, though UI expressed shock at the decision and is exploring legal options. Source: ctmirror.org

Spiegel : CT Needs to Plan For Its Energy Future, But The View Is Cloudy

https://ctmirror.org/2025/10/26/ct-energy-future-iso-solar-wind-gas/

Connecticut faces significant uncertainty planning its energy future as the Trump administration eliminates federal tax credits for wind and solar, halts offshore wind development, and issues stop-work orders for projects already under construction. State officials are grappling with how to meet clean energy goals while ensuring grid reliability, with DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes acknowledging natural gas and oil may need to remain part of the solution longer than planned. Source: ctmirror.org

Several CT Schools Are About to Get Solar. Here's How and Why

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/several-ct-schools-solar-why-181800431.html

Seven Connecticut technical high schools are slated to receive solar installations through a collaboration with the Connecticut Green Bank, delivering 4.6 megawatts of clean energy and $5.9 million in lifetime cost savings. The projects will include workforce development components offering classroom and onsite education to students, with a groundbreaking event scheduled for October 29 at Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester. Source: yahoo.com