Evaluation of Alternative Contractor License Requirements for Battery Energy Storage Systems
Final Report for UC Berkeley Contract with the Contractor State License Board for contract CSLB-20-01, entitled “Energy Storage Systems Consultant Services”
Green Economy
The Labor Center Green Economy Program conducts research on issues of job creation, quality, access, and training in the emergent green economy. In addition, we provide research and technical assistance to state agencies, labor, and other stakeholders who are engaged in developing and implementing policy related to energy and climate change in California and nationally.
Spotlight
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Report
April 13, 2021
High-Road Jobs and Climate Action: Lessons from California for the Nation
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Report
September 3, 2020
Putting California on the High Road: A Jobs and Climate Action Plan for 2030
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Blog
November 12, 2020
Prevailing wage in solar can deliver good jobs while keeping growth on track
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Press
October 3, 2020
My Turn: Recommendations to help California’s economic recovery and to take action on climate
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Press
September 3, 2020
Clean energy jobs are coming. Here’s how to make sure they’re good jobs
Research & Publications
April 13, 2021 -
Carol Zabin
High-Road Jobs and Climate Action: Lessons from California for the Nation
A series of briefs summarizing the recommendations for some of the critical climate sectors addressed in the Jobs and Climate Action Plan for 2030: electricity generation, energy efficiency, electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure, public transit and infill development, trucking, and waste.
November 12, 2020 -
Betony Jones
Prevailing wage in solar can deliver good jobs while keeping growth on track
Experience has shown that prevailing wage actually accelerates solar development. In California, the predominate use of union labor on utility-scale solar projects has fortified political support from organized labor for legislation and regulatory policy that continues to accelerate in-state solar development.
October 26, 2020 -
Carol Zabin
Progress on the Path Towards High-Road Jobs and Climate Action
Jobs v. environment is a false choice. And with the pandemic-induced economic downturn and the fires hurting Californians around the state, it’s clearer than ever that we must make meaningful progress on both fronts simultaneously, crafting an economic recovery that advances equity, climate resilience, and job quality.
September 3, 2020 -
Carol Zabin
Putting California on the High Road: A Jobs and Climate Action Plan for 2030
California’s ambitious path towards a carbon-neutral economy is complex, involves and affects different industries and occupations in multiple ways, and holds both promise and challenges for the state’s working families. The analysis and recommendations here present actions that show a high road to climate policy is both valuable and feasible.
Press Coverage
September 13, 2021 -
County of San Diego NewsCenter
County Examines Job Impacts of Decarbonization
Recognizing things will change for workers in a decarbonized economy, the County of San Diego has undertaken a study to better understand how different policies may affect the region’s labor force and to identify tailored workforce development resources to adapt the skills of our region’s workers, including those from disadvantaged communities.
September 13, 2021 -
Voice of San Diego
Environment Report: Why I Can’t Tell You How Many Fossil Fuel Jobs Are in San Diego
Zabin wrote that it’s hard to estimate the true impacts on natural gas jobs right now due to a “lack of clear policy signals” and research on the topic.
August 29, 2021 -
Napa Valley Register
The Climate Connection: Converging on a Solution
Dr. Zabin spoke about the current leadership of Gavin Newsom as governor, and Joe Biden as president, and the opportunity to advance climate solutions during their terms. This means labor, as well as environmental preservation. All will have a seat at the table to confront the critical issues we share.
August 27, 2021 -
Union of Concerned Scientists
Extreme Heat Hits Clean Energy Workers Hard–How Can the Industry Keep Them Safe?
A UC Berkeley report found that smaller scale, residential solar projects offer lower wages and fewer paths for career advancement than large-scale solar projects. The difference between the smaller scale and larger scale projects is that the larger scale projects are often required to use project labor agreements (PLAs).
August 12, 2021 -
Los Angeles Times
Biden wants to create clean energy jobs. Here’s what they might look like
“When the labor market does its thing, we produce tremendous wage inequality and tremendous growth in low wage jobs,” said Carol Zabin, who directs the Green Economy Program at UC Berkeley’s Labor Center.
Program Contact
Carol Zabin
Director, Green Economy Program