Offshore wind developer Ørsted and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) signed today a first-of-its-kind national project labor agreement (PLA) for offshore wind projects along the Atlantic Coast. Today’s announcement builds upon a November 2020 memorandum of understanding creating a partnership on future offshore wind projects.

In response to the signing of the PLA, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Jason Walsh:

“The signing of this PLA is historic. The offshore wind industry in the United States has the potential to become a model for how to build the clean energy economy the right way. By signing such agreements with unions, other offshore wind developers can follow Ørsted’s lead and ensure that their workforce is the best of the best while also supporting high-quality job growth in local communities. In addition, to maximize the economic benefits of the growing U.S. offshore wind industry, we have to look beyond construction and grow strong domestic supply chains for the products and materials needed for these projects.

“It should be emphasized that the U.S. Congress has an opportunity to ensure the replication of win-win partnerships like this one across all clean energy sectors in all parts of the country by passing robust budget reconciliation legislation with clean energy tax credits and strong labor standards.”