In an effort to build popular support for clean energy development and ensure workers and communities meaningfully benefited from federal investment, the Biden administration implemented a series of rules, incentives, and requirements on labor and community engagement.
In 2023, the administration strengthened and expanded the Davis-Bacon Act regulations, which set prevailing wages for workers on federal construction projects. Prevailing wages refer to standard pay rates that are based on the average local wages earned by workers employed in similar regions and industries. In addition, the Department of Energy often required developers to commit to certain labor standards and submit community benefits plans in order to receive federal funding for projects.
Data for Progress fielded a national survey of likely voters to understand attitudes toward these types of labor and community benefit provisions. The survey finds that a strong majority of voters (76%) support the federal government requiring companies that receive federal funding to pay their workers prevailing wages. Support is strong across party lines, with 77% of both Democrats and Independents and 74% of Republicans in support of such requirements.
