BILL NUMBER: S4881A

SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to requiring contractors and
subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy
systems to use apprenticeship agreements

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

This bill would extend the apprenticeship agreement requirements already
in law for thermal energy networks to all covered renewable energy
systems.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

§ 1 - Amends subdivision 8 of section 224-d of the Labor Law, as added
by Chapter 375 of the Laws of 2022, to require all contractors and
subcontractors performing construction work of renewable energy systems
over 1 MW or larger receiving renewable energy credits, offshore wind
supply chain projects receiving New York State Energy Research and
              

Development Authority (NYSERDA) funding, and major utility transmission
facilities to use apprenticeship agreements.

§ 2 - Effective date.

 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:

Remove pre-apprenticeship direct entry programs registered with the
Department of Labor as a requirement for covered renewable energy
systems besides thermal energy networks.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

A highly trained and skilled workforce is needed in the clean energy
sector to realize the ambitious goals of the Climate Leadership and
Community Protection Act (CLCPA). As the shift toward renewable energy
sources progresses, it is imperative that workers are trained in New
York State apprenticeship programs to ensure the state's workforce is
prepared and equipped to build the state's clean energy future. Appren-
ticeship requirements on renewable energy projects will ensure workers
are adequately trained to build clean energy infrastructure in a
skilled, safe, timely and efficient manner.  Additionally, apprentice-
ship requirements provide local workers with opportunities to gain
access to career-track jobs, changing lives and bolstering local econo-
mies.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.