Three California unions that represent carpenters, laborers and operating engineers are accusing California Unions for Reliable Energy (CURE) of using environmental complaints to win building contracts. The unions say that CURE files complaints about environmental issues on projects, and then drops the complaints when its ally, the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California gets a contract for the project. The two groups share office space and a top executive. CURE says that it is trying to protect the environment, and that its tactics are addressing the complex issues that it faces. California Governor Jerry Brown said that the state wanted to lessen the environmental impact of construction projects, but to also get things done.
See "Labor coalition's tactics on renewable energy projects are criticized", Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times, February 6, 2011