New Coalition Launches to Drive Job Growth in Oregon’s Clean Energy Sector

In a significant move to bolster job growth in Oregon’s clean energy sector, a new labor coalition called Climate Jobs Oregon was launched on January 21, 2026. The coalition aims to support the state’s ambitious goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2040 while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs in renewable energy projects.

The announcement took place near Arlington, Oregon, where union representatives from various construction trades gathered along state Route 19, surrounded by solar and wind installations. Tiffany Wilkins, an eastern Oregon representative of the Local 701 chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers, emphasized that all wind and solar projects in Gilliam County have been completed with union labor.

The coalition’s formation follows two executive orders from Governor Tina Kotek, which aim to streamline the siting and permitting processes for clean energy projects. This development comes at a time when clean energy tax credits established during the Biden administration are being phased out, affecting investment in renewable projects.

Coalition Goals and Workforce Development

Union leaders, including Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO, articulated the need for a well-trained workforce to meet the state’s clean energy goals. Trainor stated, “To meet our climate goals, Oregon needs a massive increase in workers, and those workers must be trained to the highest caliber.” He highlighted the importance of providing workers with a meaningful voice, career pathways, and sustainable benefits.

The coalition comprises ten construction industry unions, representing over 300,000 members across various sectors, including construction, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The focus is on ensuring that union jobs are created in the clean energy sector, which currently employs a smaller proportion of unionized workers compared to fossil fuel industries.

Research conducted by Cornell University’s Climate Jobs Institute has informed the coalition’s strategy. The institute has previously developed climate jobs plans for ten states, including Washington and New York. After a year of analysis, the institute recommended 18 climate jobs policies for Oregon, which include investing in union apprenticeship programs to significantly increase the state’s clean energy output and energy storage capabilities.

Expected Impact of Clean Energy Projects

These initiatives could potentially generate up to 200,000 direct jobs and 40,000 construction trades jobs within the next five years. Reyna Cohen, a research and policy development associate at the Climate Jobs Institute, noted that these efforts are essential to not only meet energy demands but also to support economic growth in the region.

Members of the coalition, including Ivan Maldonado of the Local 737 chapter of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), shared personal stories illustrating the transformative impact of union work. “Joining a union and learning a trade changes lives,” Maldonado said, reaffirming the coalition’s mission to provide opportunities for workers in emerging clean energy sectors.

As the coalition aims to increase union representation in clean energy projects, its leaders are also advocating for collaboration with the state government to expedite project permitting and enhance labor opportunities in solar and wind installations. With a clear vision and actionable goals, Climate Jobs Oregon is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the state’s renewable energy landscape.