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Ali Zaidi, the White House National Climate Advisor, recently visited the IAM-represented Voith North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in York, Pa. The purpose of his visit was to tour the facility and discuss the critical role of hydropower in mitigating climate change, workforce development, and fostering good-paying American jobs in the U.S. clean energy sector.
The tour began with an overview of the facility’s operations, highlighting the advanced manufacturing processes that produce essential clean energy-generating equipment. As they walked through the bustling factory floor, Mr. Zaidi observed the meticulous craftsmanship and precision that went into each component.
Zaidi also held a roundtable with members and representatives of IAM Local 1400 (District 98). The employees introduced themselves and shared their roles and experiences at Voith.IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes spoke about apprenticeships and how manufacturing gets no government help in this area, and that the IAM currently has 10% of the workforce at Voith in apprenticeships.
During the discussion, Mr. Zaidi emphasized the support of the Inflation Reduction Act in boosting domestic production of clean energy equipment. He highlighted how this legislation reaffirmed and refocused America on the strategic and economic value of domestic manufacturing, supporting well-paying jobs and strengthening the renewable energy economy.
The conversation then shifted to the Biden administration’s continued support for initiatives like the newly released domestic content bonus provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. These efforts are designed to bolster American manufacturing in hydropower, ensuring the industry remains competitive and resilient. Zaidi praised the White House’s commitment to emphasizing domestic manufacturing to support the clean energy transition. He noted the importance of dispatchable hydropower and pumped storage in enabling further penetration of intermittent renewables, ultimately helping to mitigate climate change.
“The visit to Voith was not just a tour of a manufacturing facility, it was a testament to the power of collaboration between government, industry, and labor,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Together, they are paving the way for a sustainable future, where clean energy and good-paying jobs go hand in hand, ensuring a brighter and more resilient America for generations to come.”
“Having partners like Voith makes these projects successful and creates high-quality jobs that build communities,” said IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes. “We hope our partnership with Voith can serve as a model for how these strategically important projects can and should work. ”
Mr. Zaidi’s visit underscored the essential role of hydropower and its potential to reduce the impacts of climate change, describing it as an amazing and flexible resource.
The Voith Hydro facility is one of the world’s largest hydropower turbine equipment manufacturing plants. It provides fabrication, machining, and assembly of large mechanical components used in hydropower facilities and houses some of the largest machine tools in North America.
