The Carbon Copy: The great electrician shortage

Catalyst · 9 Mar 2023 · 30m

What this episode covers

Reporter Emily Pontecorvo, writing for Grist, investigates the critical shortage of electricians needed to support the US electrification of homes and transport. She highlights the cascading bottleneck where homeowners like Champori Reth face long wait times, contractors like Bonnie Reyes of Boyce Electric are booked solid, and training institutions like Laney College struggle to find faculty. The episode explores solutions including increased funding for community colleges, union apprenticeships, and marketing campaigns to rebrand trade work as a viable, high-paying career path for younger generations.

Mentioned

Companies
Grist, Canary Media, Post Script Media, Airtable, Rewiring America, EnergyHub, Boyce Electric Incorporator, Q Merritt, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Prelude Ventures
Also
Greentown Labs, Inflation Reduction Act, Laney College, Tech Clean California

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