BILL NUMBER: S4881

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 current apprenticeship 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 subcon-
tractors performing construction work of renewable energy systems over 1
MW or larger receiving renewable energy credits, thermal energy
networks, 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 with
pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the Department
of Labor.

§ 2 - Effective date.

 
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 the New
York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) certified apprenticeship
programs to ensure the state's workforce is prepared and equipped to
build the state's clean energy future. Apprenticeship requirements on
renewable energy projects will ensure workers are adequately trained to
build clean energy infrastructure in a skilled, safe, timely and effi-
cient manner. Additionally, apprenticeship requirements provide local
workers with opportunities to gain access to career-track jobs, changing
lives and bolstering local economies.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.