IBEW News

Nvidia Corporation announced plans to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI as part of a strategic partnership to deploy at least 10 gigawatts of AI data center capacity using Nvidia systems. The massive infrastructure buildout will require millions of Nvidia GPUs and represents one of the largest tech partnerships ever. The first gigawatt deployment is scheduled for the second half of 2026 using Nvidia's Vera Rubin platform, creating unprecedented opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members in AI data center construction. Source: bloomberg.com

State governors are demanding greater control over the nation's largest electrical grid operations as power bills continue to surge across multiple states. The push for increased state oversight reflects growing concerns about electricity costs, grid reliability, and the need for more local input in electrical infrastructure decisions. These regulatory changes could significantly impact utility operations and electrical construction projects, affecting work opportunities and operating procedures for IBEW members working on transmission and distribution systems. Source: reuters.com

Major technology companies are adopting new strategies to meet the massive electricity demands of their expanding data center operations, particularly in states like Texas and Pennsylvania. The changing approach reflects the growing power requirements of AI computing and cloud services, driving unprecedented demand for electrical infrastructure and skilled electrical workers. These developments create substantial opportunities for IBEW members in data center construction, power system upgrades, and electrical infrastructure projects. Source: apnews.com

The City of Gainesville honored IBEW Local 1205 with a street naming ceremony celebrating the local's 85th anniversary and its contributions to the community. The recognition acknowledges decades of service by Local 1205 members in maintaining and building the electrical infrastructure that powers the Gainesville area. The street naming represents the strong relationship between the union and the community, highlighting the vital role of electrical workers in supporting economic development and public safety. Source: alachuachronicle.com

The Department of Energy has released its first formal solicitation for private sector partners to develop AI data centers and energy infrastructure on federal lands, with applications due November 7, 2025. The initiative focuses on four selected sites: Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and Savannah River Site. This represents significant potential work opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members in data center construction and energy infrastructure projects. Source: jdsupra.com

The Caucus of Rank-and-File Electrical Workers (CREW) publicly launched in September 2025 after two years of organizing, already boasting 300 members across 40 IBEW locals nationwide. The new member caucus aims to build an IBEW that lives up to its potential by empowering rank-and-file workers and promoting democratic participation within the union. CREW focuses on contract campaigns, job site enforcement, and grassroots organizing to strengthen worker power in the electrical industry. Source: labornotes.org

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) is raising urgent concerns about reports that the Trump administration is considering privatizing the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which would jeopardize approximately 10,000 IBEW jobs. The union is calling on Congress and Deep South officials to resist such moves, warning that privatization could destabilize an authority that has provided reliable, affordable electricity since 1933 and employs thousands of skilled electrical workers across seven states. Source: peoplesworld.org

IBEW Local 11 hosted longtime labor ally Representative Adam Schiff in a demonstration of solidarity and political engagement. The event highlights the ongoing relationship between electrical workers and supportive political leaders who champion union interests and workers' rights. The gathering represents the union's commitment to building political alliances that advance the interests of electrical workers and the broader labor movement. Source: ibew11.org

Microsoft unveils ambitious plans for what it claims will be the world's most advanced AI data center, representing a massive infrastructure project that will create significant opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members. The facility will require extensive electrical work, including advanced power systems, cooling infrastructure, and specialized electrical installations to support cutting-edge artificial intelligence computing operations. The project exemplifies the growing demand for skilled electrical workers in the expanding AI and data center sector. Source: blogs.microsoft.com

Two Entergy electrical workers were injured when a transformer exploded in The Woodlands, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in electrical utility work. The incident underscores the dangerous conditions that electrical workers face daily and the importance of rigorous safety protocols, proper training, and protective equipment in utility operations. The event serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in electrical work and the need for continued vigilance in worker safety practices. Source: click2houston.com

Analysis examining how artificial intelligence systems, despite their high energy consumption for data centers and processing, may ultimately lead to net energy savings through optimization of electrical grids, smart building systems, and industrial processes. The implications for electrical workers include both challenges from automation and opportunities in deploying AI-enhanced electrical infrastructure and smart grid technologies. Source: ft.com

Comprehensive overview of artificial intelligence's environmental impact, including energy demands of data centers and potential climate benefits through optimized electrical systems and renewable energy integration. The analysis covers implications for electrical infrastructure development and the role of skilled electrical workers in building sustainable AI systems while addressing climate concerns. Source: yaleclimateconnections.org

Meta faces challenges balancing rapid AI infrastructure expansion with sustainability commitments, as massive data center construction increases energy demands while the company pursues carbon neutrality goals. The expansion creates significant opportunities for electrical contractors and IBEW members in data center construction, renewable energy integration, and advanced electrical systems installation. Source: ppc.land

IBEW Local 553 members in Durham, North Carolina are organizing to protect workers from potential ICE raids on construction sites, developing strategies to defend immigrant workers' rights while maintaining jobsite safety and productivity. The initiative reflects growing concerns about workplace enforcement actions affecting the electrical construction workforce and union solidarity efforts to protect all workers regardless of immigration status. Source: wnylabortoday.com

IBEW Local 138 members in Detroit have completed a comprehensive electrical rewiring project at the Hamtramck Historical Museum, demonstrating union commitment to community service while showcasing skilled electrical work in historical preservation. The project involved updating aging electrical systems while maintaining the building's historical integrity, highlighting the specialized skills of IBEW electricians in restoration work. Source: ibew.org

IBEW Local 1 celebrates the graduation of its 2025 apprentice class, marking the completion of comprehensive electrical training programs that prepare new journeymen for careers in the electrical industry. The graduation represents continued investment in workforce development and the next generation of skilled electrical workers, ensuring strong union membership and expertise for future electrical construction and maintenance projects. Source: labortribune.com

IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper reports that 2025 is on track to be a record-breaking year for membership growth. Speaking at the Construction and Maintenance Conference, Cooper emphasized the union's resilience and called for continued unity and organizing efforts to strengthen the IBEW's position in the evolving electrical industry.

The IBEW warns that proposed changes to labor regulations could negatively impact worker safety and union rights. These regulatory modifications threaten to make jobsites less safe for IBEW members in construction and mining while making it more difficult for workers to organize and maintain union protections.

IBEW Secretary-Treasurer Paul A. Noble addresses the current challenges facing organized labor in America. Noble discusses the importance of Labor Day as a time to reflect on workers' rights achievements while acknowledging the ongoing struggles unions face in protecting and advancing workers' interests in today's political climate.

Members of IBEW Local 659 in Medford, Oregon successfully implemented the union's Code of Excellence to quickly resolve project startup challenges. The collaborative approach and professional standards outlined in the Code of Excellence helped streamline operations and demonstrate the value of skilled IBEW craftworkers to contractors and clients.