Will Trump’s EV policies put clean energy workers in Republican states at risk?
Workers at a massive electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky are caught between a political battle over clean energy and their own fight for safer working conditions and union representation. And Kentucky's not the only red state in the so-called battery belt where workers are vulnerable because of Trump's moves to halt EV industry growth.
Amos Barshad reports for The Lever.
In short:
- The BlueOval SK battery plant, a joint venture between Ford and SK On, is part of a clean energy boom sparked by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has created thousands of jobs in Republican-led states. However, Donald Trump has vowed to roll back EV incentives, threatening the industry's growth.
- Workers at the plant face serious safety risks, including exposure to toxic fumes and the potential for fires and explosions. Many are pushing to unionize with the United Auto Workers (UAW) to secure better protections.
- Trump’s labor policies could undermine union efforts, making it harder for workers to organize just as they face mounting health risks on the job. Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers are hesitant to fully dismantle the IRA, given its economic benefits for their districts.
Key quote:
"I don’t wanna breathe in these fumes and go to the doctor at 36 because I have a cough that won’t stop and get told, ‘You have six months to live, you’re dying of cancer.’"
— Halee Hadfield, BlueOval SK worker
Why this matters:
EV battery plants promise jobs and economic growth, but without strong labor protections, they could come at the cost of workers’ health and safety. As political battles threaten the industry’s future, thousands of workers are left wondering if they’ll have a job — and if that job will keep them safe.
