Labor Shortage, but no Shortage of Engagement on Chicago’s Path to Grid Modernization

Labor Shortage, but no Shortage of Engagement on Chicago’s Path to Grid Modernization

The atmosphere was lively with conversation and debate at the AEG Chicago Stakeholder Challenge on Grid Modernization this August 12th at the Holland & Knight law office. Despite the limited capacity of 48 invited leaders and additional COVID precautions, this Stakeholder Challenge upheld its high standard of stakeholder engagement and action with the participation of diverse leaders from utilities, solution providers, city government and energy/equity focused nonprofits.

Modernizing Boston’s Grid: Progress on Workforce Training but More To Do

Modernizing Boston’s Grid: Progress on Workforce Training but More To Do

Boston has a goal of becoming net-zero by 2050. This means electrification of buildings and transportation. Boston’s grid needs to modernize to meet this challenge.

Last year, AEG Stakeholders outlined what they believed was the biggest obstacle to meeting Boston’s net-zero target -- lack of a ready-to-go local clean energy workforce. Such a workforce would not only need to be highly skilled but also diverse. To build this workforce, the industry needs to coalesce to provide funding and raise awareness.

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Electrifying Illinois's Trucking Fleet

Last year, Advanced Energy Group Chicago formed the 20Q4 Trucking Task Force to tackle this exact issue, charging key stakeholders with creating a clean trucking roadmap for the city. Engaging with experts from the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) as well Ozinga, Martin-Brower and other local fleets, the Trucking Task Force has identified key barriers to electrification. With a stakeholder-led plan to electrify Chicago’s trucking industry, local fleets could not only benefit long term from reduced fuel costs, but electrification would also aid Chicago’s environmental and equity goals as well, especially with a focus on intra city drayage routes.