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Climate One from The Commonwealth Club
Policy Whiplash: Checking In With Labor Unions
57 minutes Posted Sep 19, 2025 at 7:15 am.
Intro
Roxanne Brown on the origins of USW’s environmental advocacy
Roxanne Brown on the effects of climate workers are feeling today
Roxanne Brown on how energy policy has affected USW members
Roxanne Brown on climate messaging within USW
Lee Anderson on the jobs of utility workers
Lee Anderson on how climate has affected the safety of workers
Lee Anderson on UWUA’s input on current federal policy
Lara Skinner on what sparked a worker centered agenda on climate policy
Lara Skinner on the ups and downs of Climate Jobs New York’s work
Lara Skinner on creating state based coalitions
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57:20
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Show notes
The past few years have seen a seismic shift in energy and industrial policy in the United States. Under Biden, laws like the Inflation Reduction Act led to money pouring into clean energy manufacturing and deployment. The Trump administration has reversed course, cutting off incentives in instituting massive tariffs. 
As a result, entire clean energy projects have been put on hold or even canceled. Workers who were counting on those projects now face an uncertain future. This situation forces tough questions for unions: Where do they go from here?
Guests: 
Roxanne Brown, Vice President at Large, United Steelworkers 
Lee Anderson, Director of Governmental Affairs, Utility Workers Union of America
Lara Skinner, Executive Director, Climate Jobs Institute, Cornell University
Episode Highlights:
For show notes and related links, visit ClimateOne.org.
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