Committee approves Sen. Lawrence bill to ensure safe and equitable labor standards for Maine’s energy workforce on bipartisan vote 

On April 22, 2025, a bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot, to ensure safe and equitable labor standards for Maine workers involved in the state’s transition to clean energy received bipartisan backing from the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. LD 1420, “Resolve, to Establish the Commission to Ensure a Just and Equitable Energy Transition for Maine’s Workforce” was the subject of a work session and received a 6-3 vote in support from members present.

“In order to reduce Maine’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and work toward a clean energy future to preserve our planet and lower future costs, we must ensure the hardworking men and women who will help us get there have safe working conditions and equitable terms of employment,” said Sen. Mark Lawrence. “I am grateful to my colleagues on the Energy Committee for their consideration and collaboration. As the son of a local shipbuilder and now a proud union father, my family’s working-class roots run deep and that is why I’m proud to be sponsoring this bill.” 

LD 1420, as written, will establish a commission to evaluate Maine’s current energy workforce, including compensation and benefits, and assess workforce demands to meet the State’s energy goals. It will also examine the types and numbers of jobs needed, analyze current pay and benefits for those roles and review efforts to minimize compensation loss and address training needs. 

The commission will further consider the economic impact of the energy transition on low-income ratepayers and explore how a well-compensated workforce supports state energy objectives. Lastly, it will evaluate the potential benefits of establishing a coordinated statewide entity or framework to guide a just transition for workers and support employers in the energy sector. 

The commission will include bipartisan representation from the Maine Senate and House, members of the public working in labor, energy and environmental fields, the Maine Apprenticeship Council, the Governor’s Office and the Public Utilities Commission. 

“It is critically important for this state to have a comprehensive, collaborative and cogent energy transition policy that actually takes into account the human beings that we will need to meet the administration’s goals for Maine’s energy future,” said Jason Shedlock, President of Maine Building Trades and Secretary-Treasurer of Local 327, Laborers’ Union in testimony to the committee. “We cannot be serious about reaching our energy goals if we don’t get serious about the way we treat the Mainers who will be expected to help us meet them.”

LD 1420 faces votes in the Senate and House chambers.