Boilermakers Local 154 on Data Centers and Grid Reliability
from America’s Work Force Union Podcast Hosted by BMA Media Group
Renewables produced zero megawatts for four straight days during a recent winter storm while coal, gas and nuclear carried the full grid load. Southwestern Pennsylvania has the second-largest natural gas deposits in North America, barely tapped. And Boilermakers Local 154 Business Agent Shawn Steffee believes his region can lead the national energy and data center build-out — with a workforce ready to do it. On today's trades day episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast, Steffee discusses the Homer City campus, where he believes a 4,200-megawatt natural gas power block is under active construction alongside hyperscale data center plans he projects could generate 3,500 building trades jobs on that site alone. He addresses community concerns about water and electricity prices, makes the case that natural gas is the only near-term solution to the grid reliability crisis and describes a Local that went five years without taking a single apprentice and is now on pace for 175 new ones — with more needed still. Visit boilermakerslocal154.com to learn more.
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Boilermakers Local 154 Business Agent Shawn Steffee discusses the Homer City natural gas and data center campus he believes will generate 3,500 building trades jobs, addresses community opposition rooted in water and electricity price concerns, makes the case that reliable baseload natural gas generation is the only near-term solution to the grid reliability crisis and describes a Local that went five years without taking an apprentice and is now on pace for 175 new ones — with more needed to meet the demand ahead.
No transcript yet.