Marlene Wilden

Reporter: Marlene Wilden Publication: Utility Dive Deadline: 15 October 1:26PM EDT I’m reporting a feature for Utility Dive on how changes in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement are affecting electric utilities and the contractors they rely on for grid construction, maintenance and other infrastructure work. I’m specifically looking for electric utilities, grid contractors, engineering/construction firms and vegetation-management companies that can speak to firsthand impacts on their workforce. I’m interested in concrete examples, including: - Have changes in immigration policy or enforcement made it harder to hire, retain or deploy qualified workers on utility projects? - Are particular parts of the workforce being affected, such as engineers, construction workers, vegetation-management crews or other specialized workers? - Have particular employment authorizations or visa categories become an issue for recruiting or retaining workers? If so, which ones? - Have immigration-related workforce issues affected a specific project, timeline, staffing level or cost? - How are utilities and contractors responding to these challenges? I’m particularly interested in sources who can provide a specific example of a position, crew, project or hiring situation affected by immigration policy or enforcement, rather than general observations about labor shortages. I’m looking for experts who can help put utility-sector examples into context. Please respond with your name, title, organization and a brief description of your relevant experience. If possible, please include the specific workforce or project you can discuss and the immigration policy, enforcement action or employment authorization involved. Written responses are welcome.