dbknews.com examines how data center growth in Maryland is creating significant union construction work including for IBEW Local 26 while also raising community concerns about energy demand water use and environmental impact.

wnylabortoday.com profiles IBEW Local 99 Joint Apprenticeship Training Center Director Robert Cruz in Cranston Rhode Island who draws on his own experience in foster care to help apprentices enter the trade tuition free and graduate earning $61 an hour to start.

businessjournaldaily.com reports Mahoning Valley building trades leaders say data center construction brings significant union work across nearly every trade with an average of 1700 workers per project and 93 percent of major data center projects nationally using union contractors.

spotlightpa.org examines how the industry-funded Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future coalition backed by EQT and other gas interests is lobbying Pennsylvania Democrats including state party chair Eugene DePasquale to frame natural gas as part of the clean energy transition.

thehill.com reports Port Washington Wisconsin voters approved the first anti-data center referendum in the nation requiring public approval before tax incentives are awarded to future projects

cowboystatedaily.com reports data center construction is pushing electrician pay as high as $260,000 in some markets with IBEW locals expecting thousands of new job openings

click2houston.com covers the winners of the 2026 IBEW Local 66 Lineman's Rodeo where linemen competed in real-world emergency skills challenges