Future Work Is Here: Can We Take the Offer?

By Austin Taylor

The future of work is no longer a distant concept—it is unfolding right now. Yet, despite years of warnings and national campaigns urging Americans to prepare for careers in STEM, energy and technology, we still face a critical skills gap. Business and technology leaders like Elon Musk argue that many in the U.S. workforce are undertrained for the jobs of the future, and as a result, they increasingly lean on programs like H-1B to recruit talent from abroad. This claim is frustrating, but frustration alone is not a strategy. Instead of simply feeling insulted, we must take action. 

For decades, we’ve been told that investing in education, workforce development and technical training is the key to securing our place in the global economy. If we don’t step up now, we risk losing these high-paying, high-growth jobs to those better prepared, whether they are here or overseas. The question is: Will we finally take action? 

Energy Careers: A Barely-Tapped Opportunity 

At Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC), we see this challenge firsthand. Our mission is to accelerate energy innovation and workforce development, ensuring individuals and businesses can thrive in the evolving energy landscape. From alternative fuel vehicle training to building efficiency programs, we work to create opportunities that not only power our communities but also provide stable, well-paying careers for those ready to step into them. 

The energy sector is undergoing a massive transformation, and with it comes a surge in job openings—many of which don’t require a four year degree but demand specialized training. Fields like battery storage, hydrogen, biofuels, solar and wind energy, and grid modernization are growing quickly, but too few people are stepping into these roles. These jobs exist now. They are in high demand, they pay well, and they are important to the future of our economy and environment. 

Despite decades of government-backed workforce programs, too many Americans are either unaware of or unprepared for these careers. This is where organizations like us come in. We’ve worked with local and national partners to develop training programs, connect people with technical certifications, and provide businesses with the resources needed to build a skilled workforce. 

The Call to Action was 20 Years Ago  

Do you know the two best times to plant a tree? 20 years ago and today. This is not just a call for young students—it’s a call for parents, career changers and anyone looking for stable, well-paying work in a growing field. We need to move beyond simply talking about STEM and energy careers and start actively preparing for them. 

• Parents must encourage their children to explore science, technology and hands-on technical skills. 

• Schools must expand apprenticeship and certification programs. 

• Local governments must invest in workforce development that meets industry needs. 

• Individuals must take initiative by seeking out training and education in energy and technology fields. 

Business leaders argue that the United States lacks qualified workers, but the solution is not to accept that as a fact—it’s to prove them wrong. We cannot allow industry leaders to justify bypassing American talent due to lack of preparedness when the tools for training and upskilling already exist. 

At Metropolitan Energy Center, we are committed to building a stronger, more resilient workforce. The future of energy and innovation is being written today. Will we be the ones shaping it, or will we continue to watch from the sidelines? The choice is ours. 

As we mark a new year, Metropolitan Energy Center reaffirms our commitment to the vitality, health and efficiency  of our community through science, truth, and action. For 40 years, we have worked tirelessly to connect science with people, driving solutions that benefit our communities and our planet.

Science is a universal language that transcends boundaries. It empowers us to confront challenges and create a better tomorrow. Together with a community that deeply cares about the environment and human impact on the earth, we remain steadfast in our mission to advance sustainable energy and environmental solutions.

Today, we continue to support accurate information and champion evidence-based approaches for a healthier, more sustainable future. But we can’t do it alone. Your support is crucial in helping us meet the moment and carry this mission forward.

Join us as we continue a legacy of hope, progress, and care—for people, for the planet, for prosperity  and for the future.

Learn more and support our mission: metroenergy.org/togetherfortomorrow

Discover how Kansas City pioneered streetlight EV charging, boosting equitable access and electrification. Learn about the project’s key partnerships, outcomes, and how the project fits within the city’s ambitious climate goals.

Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) is committed to advancing resource efficiency, environmental health, and economic vitality in the Kansas City region and beyond. Since 1983, we have consistently provided resources, outreach, and training to promote alternative fuels and energy efficiency. These efforts are aligned with our role as the host of the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Chapter, a coalition that supports the national goal of strengthening America’s environment, energy security, and economic prosperity through clean transportation initiatives.

The Story Behind the Breakthrough

The Streetlight Charging pilot project (EVST) began as a collaborative effort between MEC and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. The project aimed to install limited electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on existing streetlight infrastructure to test and demonstrate the benefits of curbside charging for plug-in EVs. The City initiated the program in 2019, with the intention of examining how increased access to EV charging infrastructure might impact EV adoption rates.

The project originated from the growing interest in curbside charging, an untapped market at the time. The existing infrastructure facilitated the project’s feasibility. After conceptualizing the project, MEC sought the right partners to bring it to life. The Department of Energy (DOE) provided the necessary funding through a competitive grant awarded to MEC. The DOE oversaw the project’s development and coordinated the administration between the various organizations involved. A key partner, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), managed the reporting requirements, including deliverables and quarterly reports. As the project nears completion, MEC is working with NREL to finalize the final report. These partnerships with DOE and NREL were critical to the project’s success, bringing expertise and oversight that ensured the project’s smooth progression and ultimate success.

Planning for the project began in early 2019. MEC collaborated with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and Evergy, the local utility company, to identify optimal locations for the streetlight charging stations. Initially, many sites were considered, but only 23 locations met the stringent criteria for installation. Factors such as the availability of street parking, existing infrastructure, installation costs, and compliance with code requirements influenced the final site selection. Installation of the EVSE equipment began in 2021 and was completed recently, marking a significant milestone not just for Kansas City but for the nation, as this was the first project of its kind to be successfully implemented.

_{Street Light Charging Station installed at N Granby Apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri, one of the 30 locations chosen for street light charging installation.}

Over the past four years, MEC and its partners diligently worked to select the most suitable locations out of hundreds of proposed sites. The 23 installed stations were strategically distributed across different districts to ensure equitable access across various communities, particularly those historically overlooked in infrastructure developments. The project’s focus on equity was paramount, with an emphasis on not concentrating stations in any single area. The increased availability of EV infrastructure is expected to encourage broader EV adoption across diverse communities.

Pioneering Urban Solutions for a Green Future

Kansas City’s commitment to electrification extends beyond this pilot project. The city recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change and has made significant strides toward electrification as a response to this global challenge. In 2021, Kansas City committed to ensuring that all municipal vehicles would be electric where available, with the Kansas City Fire Department’s fleet going fully electric by 2023. Over the past 15 years, the city has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and partnered with various stakeholders to enhance the resilience of its infrastructure.

The Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan, as drafted by Mayor Quinton Lucas, outlines a comprehensive strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral, equity-focused, and resilient Kansas City by 2040. The plan is built on six key Climate Action Sections, with climate justice at its core, and integrates community resilience, financing and innovation, and community empowerment throughout. The energy supply, homes and buildings, and mobility sections of the plan are particularly relevant to the transportation industry, as they chart a path toward reducing emissions through alternative fuels, local carbon dioxide removal, and direct carbon capture.

Regarding emissions reduction, the city has set ambitious targets to align with its carbon neutrality goal by 2040. Emissions are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e), which accounts for the impact of all greenhouse gases relative to CO2. The city aims to reduce emissions to 7 million MTCO2e by 2025, 4 million MTCO2e by 2030, with a stretch goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Results

The collaborative efforts with community-based organizations and nonprofit groups played a crucial role in the success of the Streetlight Charging project. Organizations such as EVNoire and Westside Housing Organization were instrumental in providing community engagement and outreach, ensuring that the project was developed with input from historically marginalized populations. These partnerships were vital in shaping the project’s direction and ensuring that it met the needs of the communities it aimed to serve.

Outputs and Outcomes: As of March 27, 2023, all 23 charging stations have been installed on streetlight systems throughout the city, enhancing the accessibility of public charging infrastructure in previously underserved areas. The project not only added new public charging stations but also catalyzed the electrification of the city’s fleet and stimulated an increase in EV purchases. Data collected from each station since the project’s inception helps MEC and its partners understand usage trends and the value these stations bring to Kansas City’s electrification goals.

Positive feedback has been received from the communities where the stations were installed. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony, attended by the City Manager and Council members, celebrated the project’s success and MEC’s efforts.

The outcomes of the project are still being studied, with ongoing data collection and community meetings providing insights into how the installations have influenced attitudes toward EVs. One notable success story is that of a community member who purchased an Electric Vehicle shortly after a station was installed near their residence.

Best Practices & Lessons Learned: This project exemplifies the importance of collaboration between MEC, KCMO, and other partners in site selection and community engagement. One of the key lessons learned was the complexity of site selection for streetlight chargers, which involved navigating multiple code requirements and aligning with existing utility infrastructure. The collaborative approach, involving regular discussions with Evergy, KCMO, and NREL, proved essential in identifying the most suitable locations for the chargers.

Engaging the community throughout the project was crucial. Ensuring that all voices were heard and considered was key to the project’s success, as it directly impacted the surrounding community and benefited external stakeholders who may also utilize the infrastructure.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to the partners who made this project possible:

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Award Number: DE-EE0008474.