CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA LEADS LETTER URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR TO REQUIRE UNION LABOR FOR OFFSHORE WIND LEASING IN GULF OF MEXICO

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led a letter to Secretary Deb Haaland of the U.S. Department of Interior and Director Amanda Lefton of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management urging for the required use of union labor during the development of all Gulf of Mexico offshore wind leasing opportunities – which would create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs for Texans.

The letter, which was also signed by seven members of the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation, calls for the development to be executed in accordance with a project labor agreement (PLA). This agreement would require that all development in connection with the lease areas is done with union labor and that the economic and social benefits of the projects are directed back to the communities most impacted by climate change and the transition to renewable energy.

"Offshore wind not only has remarkable environmental benefits, but it has the potential to be a massive economic booster. Requiring developers and their contractors to sign into these agreements as a binding condition is a great first step in ensuring good-paying union jobs are optimized throughout all phases of this region's offshore wind development," said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. "It would increase the number of Texas union workers, create family-sustaining jobs, and help ensure all workers are treated with dignity and respect."

"As the United States accelerates our investments in clean energy, Texans deserve to benefit from the good-paying union jobs and local investments that wind energy can create," said Congressman Joaquin Castro. "I strongly urge the Biden administration to tighten labor and equity standards for offshore wind development in the Gulf of Mexico to ensure that the workers who drive our clean energy revolution are the first to see the profits."

"Offshore wind is coming to Texas, but we have to act now to make sure this new industry benefits all Texans. We need stronger labor and equity standards in Gulf offshore wind leases to ensure that this vital energy work creates good union jobs in the communities that need them most. If we get this right, we can create thousands of high-quality, family-sustaining careers and build a thriving, union-built clean energy economy," says Stephanie Corte, Campaigns Director, Texas Climate Jobs Project.

"Whether you live in Corpus Christi, Beaumont, or Houston, requiring offshore wind developers in the Gulf to create safe, high-quality, jobs where workers have a democratic voice, benefits, training, and retirement security would be life-changing for communities all along the Texas coast," says Hany Khalil, Executive Director, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.

Currently, Texas leads the nation in wind energy capacity, yet in Texas, only 3.8% of workers are members of unions, as compared to 10.2% of workers nationwide.

Congresswoman Garcia was joined by seven Texas Democratic colleagues including: Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), Congressman Al Green (TX-09), Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson (TX-18).

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees