Launchpad Connect: EPA Rollbacks, NY Fighting Back, Project Management Jobs, Launch of Resources Page & New Database

Welcome to this month’s edition of our newsletter! Here, we’ll share what we’re reading, thinking, and doing—and help you stay informed about what other movers and shakers are doing in the green workforce development space. This newsletter is designed as a resource for you, so let us know which topics you’d like to see more of and what resources would be the most helpful!

Inside This Month’s Edition

• The Green Workforce Brief: EPA Rollbacks & NY's Legal Filings

• Job Spotlight: Project Management Roles in the Energy Efficiency Sector

• Launchpad Lookback: TGL's Appearance at Climate Week

• Soulful Synergy EV Training & More from Our Community

• We Want to Hear from You: Share Events, Resources, & Opportunities

The Green Workforce Brief

Federal Energy Shakeups: EPA Rollbacks

• EPA proposes to end 2009 Endangerment Finding: The 2009 Endangerment Finding is the primary federal legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA now cites recent Supreme Court cases as limiting its authority. If finalized, this change could destabilize national climate policy and place greater pressure on New York to lead with state-level clean energy action. The public comment period on this proposal closed on September 22, 2025.

• EPA announced a proposal to end Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP): On September 12, 2025, the EPA proposed ending the GHGRP for most large facilities, fuel and industrial gas suppliers, and CO₂ injection sites. The agency argues the program is unnecessary for most sectors under the Clean Air Act and provides little benefit to air quality or public health. If adopted, the rollback could save businesses an estimated $2.4 billion in regulatory costs. Reporting requirements would remain only for certain petroleum and natural gas facilities starting in 2034, in line with recent changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA)

Despite these federal rollbacks, New York Stands Firm:

• NYC Files Legal Challenges: The City of New York—alongside dozens of states and municipalities—filed three official comment letters opposing the EPA’s proposal to reverse its 2009 Endangerment Finding, a landmark legal and scientific basis for regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. These filings argue that the rollback would threaten public health, harm local economies, and violate both scientific consensus and Supreme Court precedent. The city has taken a coalition approach with state attorneys general, and officials have actively testified before federal regulatory bodies.

• NYC Invests in Climate Resilience: New York City also broke ground on a $218 million public safety project to protect Red Hook from coastal flooding and launched citywide organics collection and recycling programs. These efforts not only support environmental health gains but also demonstrate direct investment in climate adaptation for vulnerable communities.

Want to go deeper?
ESGDIVE: Endangerment Finding
New York Times: Impacts of Greenhouse Gases on public health & environment

State Investments in Workforce Development:

• Governor Hochul recently announced $16 million in new funding to strengthen New York’s clean energy workforce, reinforcing the state’s leadership at a time when federal climate policies remain uncertain.

  • $12M through NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL): This funding will expand training and supportive services for students and workers, including pathways in EV maintenance and charging-station repair. Programs will also provide key wraparound supports, such as childcare and transportation, to help participants succeed.

  • $4M through NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): This funding will launch Green Jobs for Youth grants, with a focus on environmental justice communities, to ensure equitable access to opportunities in the clean energy transition.

• The announcement was made at DEC’s Region 2 Offices in Long Island City, where NYPA’s Project Director of Workforce Development, Sandra Bleckman, emphasized the importance of partnerships in delivering training that truly reaches those who need it most.

 TGL’S Clean Energy Industry Framework

Are you seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between clean energy and workforce development? We’ve got you covered! Watch this short video, where we break down The Green Launchpad’s Clean Energy Framework.

Clean energy careers span multiple sectors, segments, and systems, each playing a vital role in the green workforce. Our framework breaks it down into:

• 4 Key Sectors – Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Renewable Energy, and Clean Transportation 

• 2 Major Verticals – Electric Systems and Thermal Systems

Every month, we’ll explore one key sector, segment, or system driving the clean energy transition and highlight the careers and skills shaping the future.

This Month…

We’re continuing our focus on the Energy Efficiency sector.

The Energy Efficiency sector spans both electric and thermal systems, including HVAC and refrigeration, lighting, appliances, building envelope, and more. Workers in this sector are helping to decarbonize residential, commercial, and industrial buildings through strategies such as high-efficiency equipment upgrades, low-carbon materials, insulation improvements, and the implementation of smart building controls. Local initiatives — like NYCEDC’s Circular Construction Guidelines, the Clean Heat for All Challenge, and green building apprenticeship programs — demonstrate the sector’s potential to reduce emissions, lower energy bills, and create quality green jobs across design, installation, manufacturing, retrofitting, and sales and outreach.

2 Sample Career Pathways in the Energy Efficiency Sector

Project Management Roles in the energy efficiency sector vary depending on the company. While the job title may be the same, the responsibilities can look very different. In smaller, specialized firms, project managers are closely involved in installations—coordinating work directly on-site and ensuring systems are delivered effectively. In larger organizations, project managers typically take on a broader, more strategic role, focusing on planning, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and partnership management rather than hands-on construction. Both approaches are essential: one ensures successful execution on the ground, while the other provides the big-picture oversight needed to advance energy efficiency at scale.

To illustrate the range of jobs available, we’re highlighting two sample roles. Keep in mind that project management positions in this field extend beyond the examples provided below. We also encourage job seekers and workforce developers to carefully review the job descriptions to understand the specific requirement of each role.

• Project Manager - HVAC system

  • Job Description: Analyze construction documents, organize kickoff meetings and site walkthroughs, define project scope and deliverables, and coordinate labor, materials, and subcontractors. Provide regular cost and timeline updates, build strong relationships with contractors and engineers, conduct inspections for code compliance, and oversee multiple HVAC construction projects to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and in line with requirements

  • Education, Certifications, and Licenses: High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor’s preferred); familiarity with commercial HVAC mechanical piping and sheet metal; understanding of building systems; knowledge of AutoDesk product suite, including AutoCAD, BIM, Navisworks, and Revit.

  • Other Job(s): Construction Project Manager

•  Program Manager - Energy Efficiency and Public Sector

  • Job Description: Responsible for managing program delivery across operations, client support, and stakeholder management. Build and maintain relationships with customers, building owners, property managers, developers, architects, and key stakeholders aligned with energy efficiency products and services. Oversee subcontractors and implement program strategies and plans, with a focus on delivering energy savings and bill reductions for the public sector and underserved communities.

  • Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Bachelor’s degree in Energy, Sustainability, Public Policy, Business, or related field; driver’s license; knowledge of demand-side management (DSM) programs; preferred certifications in BPI, PMP, and CEM.

  • Other Job(s): Sr. Program Manager

Note: This video is not specific to the clean energy or energy efficiency sector, but it highlights many core responsibilities of project managers that strongly overlap with roles in the energy efficiency industry.

Additional Links:
NYSERDA HVAC/R Career Map 

Launchpad’s Lookback

Launchpad Updates & Resources

As we step into the fall, we’re so grateful to our team for their tremendous effort in launching Cohort 4 of the Accelerator for Green Workforce Developers, and developing the NY Clean Energy Certification & Workforce Provider Database—a first-of-its-kind, centralized resource designed to drive transparency, collaboration, and opportunity across New York’s clean energy sector. Alongside the database, our newly launched Resources Page offers additional guides, tools, and updates to further support employers, jobseekers, and workforce providers statewide.

Launchpad Community Updates & Resources

As we wrap up this year’s Climate Week NYC, we’re excited to share a few updates from our community — from Soulful Synergy’s EV training program helping New Yorkers prepare for the clean transportation future to pro bono consulting opportunities and new practitioner resources.

OnePointFive has released Part 3 of the 2025 Sustainability Practitioners Handbook, offering clear, actionable guidance built on the work of the amazing OPF team across over 100 net-zero projects. From navigating climate disclosures to aligning with IFRS standards and setting ambitious targets, this resource cuts through the noise to help practitioners stay ahead.

 Call for Information

Help us keep the TGL community informed and connected! We're looking for sponsorships, resources, events, trainings, and more to feature in upcoming newsletters.

• Want to contribute to a thriving green workforce ecosystem? We're seeking corporate and philanthropic partners to help expand our impact in green workforce development. Sponsor our Accelerator to empower workforce professionals, strengthen the clean energy talent pipeline, and showcase your leadership in the green economy!

• Do you have an upcoming training, class, event, or webinar you want to share with the ecosystem in the next edition?

• Want TGL to amplify what's happening or roles you’re hiring for at your organization?

📧 Email us at [email protected] or reply to this email!