,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #acae ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,february #bb1 #bjai,mr4 ,rush introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend title ,,ii of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act to reauthorize an office within the ,department of ,energy1 to direct the ,secretary of ,energy to establish and carry out a comprehensive1 nationwide energy-related industries jobs program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,blue ,collar to ,green ,collar ,jobs ,development ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment ,sec4 #aja4 ,name of office4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,energy workforce development programs4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,authorization4 ,title ,,ii--,energy workforce development ,sec4 #bja4 ,energy workforce development4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,energy workforce grant program4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,definitions4 ,i ,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment #aja4 ,name of office 7a7 ,in general ,section #baa of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gada7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,minority ,economic ,impact and inserting ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7a71 by striking ,office of ,minority ,economic ,impact and inserting ,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,the table of contents for the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act is amended by amending the item relating to section #baa to read as follows3 ,sec4 #baa4 ,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment4 4 #ajb4 ,energy workforce development programs ,section #baa of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gada7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7f7 and 7g7 as subsections 7g7 and 7h71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7e7 the following3 7f7 ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director1 shall establish and carry out the programs described in sections #bja and #bjb of the ,blue ,collar to ,green ,collar ,jobs ,development ,act of #bjai4 4 #ajc4 ,authorization ,subsection 7h7 of section #baa of the ,department of ,energy ,organization ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #gada71 as redesignated by section #ajb of this ,act1 is amended by striking not to exceed #c1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #aigi1 not to exceed #e1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #aihj1 and not to exceed #f1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #aiha4 ,of the amounts so appropriated each fiscal year1 not less than #ej percent shall be available for purposes of financial assistance under subsection 7e74 and inserting #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd44 ,,ii ,energy workforce development #bja4 ,energy workforce development 7a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment1 shall establish and carry out a comprehensive1 nationwide program to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries1 in order to increase the number of skilled workers trained to work in such energy-related industries1 including by-- 7#a7 encouraging underrepresented groups1 including religious and ethnic minorities1 women1 veterans1 individuals with disabilities1 unemployed energy workers1 and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals to enter into the science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics 7in this section referred to as ,,stem7 fields2 7#b7 encouraging the ,nation's educational institutions to equip students with the skills1 mentorships1 training1 and technical expertise necessary to fill the employment opportunities vital to managing and operating the ,nation's energy-related industries2 7#c7 providing students and other candidates for employment with the necessary skills and certifications for skilled1 semiskilled1 and highly skilled jobs in such energy-related industries2 7#d7 strengthening and more fully engaging ,department of ,energy programs and laboratories in carrying out the ,department's ,minorities in ,energy ,initiative2 and 7#e7 to the greatest extent possible1 collaborating with and supporting existing ,state workforce development programs to maximize program efficiency4 7b7 ,priority ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall prioritize the education and training of underrepresented groups for jobs in energy-related industries4 7c7 ,direct assistance ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall provide direct assistance 7including financial assistance awards1 technical expertise1 and internships7 to educational institutions1 local workforce development boards1 ,state workforce development boards1 nonprofit organizations1 labor organizations1 and apprenticeship programs4 ,the ,secretary shall distribute such direct assistance in a manner proportional to the needs of1 and demand for jobs in1 energy-related industries1 consistent with information obtained under subsections 7e77#c7 and 7i74 7d7 ,clearinghouse ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall establish a clearinghouse to-- 7#a7 maintain and update information and resources on training programs for jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries2 and 7#b7 act as a resource for educational institutions1 local workforce development boards1 ,state workforce development boards1 nonprofit organizations1 labor organizations1 and apprenticeship programs that would like to develop and implement training programs for such jobs4 7e7 ,collaboration and report ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary-- 7#a7 shall collaborate with educational institutions1 local workforce development boards1 ,state workforce development boards1 nonprofit organizations1 labor organizations1 apprenticeship programs1 and energy-related industries2 7#b7 shall encourage and foster collaboration1 mentorships1 and partnerships among industry1 local workforce development boards1 ,state workforce development boards1 nonprofit organizations1 labor organizations1 and apprenticeship programs that currently provide effective training programs for jobs in energy-related industries and educational institutions that seek to establish these types of programs in order to share best practices and approaches that best suit local1 ,state1 and national needs2 and 7#c7 shall collaborate with the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics1 the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,bureau of the ,census1 and energy-related industries to-- 7,a7 develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the workforce needs of such energy-related industries1 and job opportunities in such energy-related industries1 by ,state and by region2 and 7,b7 publish an annual report on job creation in the energy-related industries described in subsection 7i77#b74 7f7 ,guidelines for educational institutions 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 the ,secretary of ,labor1 and the ,national ,science ,foundation1 shall develop voluntary guidelines or best practices for educational institutions to help provide graduates with the skills necessary for jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries4 7#b7 ,input ,the ,secretary shall solicit input from energy-related industries in developing guidelines or best practices under paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,energy efficiency and conservation initiatives ,the guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall include grade-specific guidelines for teaching energy efficiency technology1 manufacturing efficiency technology1 community energy resiliency1 and conservation initiatives to educate students and families4 7#d7 ,,stem education ,the guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall promote ,,stem education in educational institutions as it relates to job opportunities in energy-related industries4 7g7 ,outreach to minority-,serving institutions ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 give special consideration to increasing outreach to minority-serving institutions2 7#b7 make resources available to minority-serving institutions with the objective of increasing the number of skilled minorities and women trained for jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries2 7#c7 encourage energy-related industries to improve the opportunities for students of minority-serving institutions to participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study programs2 and 7#d7 partner with the ,department of ,energy laboratories to increase underrepresented groups' participation in internships1 fellowships1 traineeships1 and employment at all ,department of ,energy laboratories4 7h7 ,outreach to displaced and unemployed energy workers ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 give special consideration to increasing outreach to employers and job trainers preparing displaced and unemployed energy workers for emerging jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries2 7#b7 make resources available to institutions serving displaced and unemployed energy workers with the objective of increasing the number of individuals trained for jobs in energy-related industries1 including manufacturing1 engineering1 construction1 and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries2 and 7#c7 encourage energy-related industries to improve opportunities for displaced and unemployed energy workers to participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study programs4 7i7 ,guidelines ,to develop skills for an energy industry workforce ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall1 in collaboration with energy-related industries-- 7#a7 identify the areas with the greatest demand for workers in each such industry2 and 7#b7 develop guidelines for the skills necessary for work in the following energy-related industries3 7,a7 ,energy efficiency industry1 including work in energy efficiency1 conservation1 weatherization1 retrofitting1 or as inspectors or auditors4 7,b7 ,renewable energy industry1 including work in the development1 engineering1 manufacturing1 and production of renewable energy from renewable energy sources 7such as solar1 hydropower1 wind1 or geothermal energy74 7,c7 ,community energy resiliency industry1 including work in the installation of rooftop solar1 in battery storage1 and in microgrid technologies4 7,d7 ,fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry4 7,e7 ,manufacturing industry1 including work as operations technicians1 in operations and design in additive manufacturing1 #c-;,d printing1 and advanced composites and advanced aluminum and other metal alloys1 industrial energy efficiency management systems1 including power electronics1 and other innovative technologies4 7,f7 ,chemical manufacturing industry1 including work in construction 7such as welders1 pipefitters1 and tool and die makers7 or as instrument and electrical technicians1 machinists1 chemical process operators1 engineers1 quality and safety professionals1 and reliability engineers4 7,g7 ,utility industry1 including work in the generation1 transmission1 and distribution of electricity and natural gas1 such as utility technicians1 operators1 lineworkers1 engineers1 scientists1 and information technology specialists4 7,h7 ,alternative fuels industry1 including work in biofuel development and production4 7,i7 ,pipeline industry1 including work in pipeline construction and maintenance or work as engineers or technical advisors4 7,j7 ,nuclear industry1 including work as scientists1 engineers1 technicians1 mathematicians1 or security personnel4 7,k7 ,oil and gas industry1 including work as scientists1 engineers1 technicians1 mathematicians1 petrochemical engineers1 or geologists4 7,l7 ,coal industry1 including work as coal miners1 engineers1 developers and manufacturers of state-of-the-art coal facilities1 technology vendors1 coal transportation workers and operators1 or mining equipment vendors4 7j7 ,enrollment in training and apprenticeship programs ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall work with industry1 local workforce development boards1 ,state workforce development boards1 nonprofit organizations1 labor organizations1 and apprenticeship programs to help identify students and other candidates1 including from underrepresented communities such as minorities1 women1 and veterans1 to enroll into training and apprenticeship programs for jobs in energy-related industries4 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #bjb4 ,energy workforce grant program 7a7 ,program 7#a7 ,establishment ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,office of ,economic ,impact1 ,diversity1 and ,employment1 shall establish and carry out a program to provide grants to eligible businesses to pay the wages of new and existing employees during the time period that such employees are receiving training to work in the renewable energy sector1 energy efficiency sector1 or grid modernization sector4 7#b7 ,guidelines ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with stakeholders1 contractors1 and organizations that work to advance existing residential energy efficiency1 shall establish guidelines to identify training that is eligible for purposes of the program established pursuant to paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,eligibility ,to be eligible to receive a grant under the program established under subsection 7a7 or a business or labor management organization that is directly involved with energy efficiency or renewable energy technology1 or working on behalf of any such business1 shall provide services related to-- 7#a7 renewable electric energy generation1 including solar1 wind1 geothermal1 hydropower1 and other renewable electric energy generation technologies2 7#b7 energy efficiency1 including energy-efficient lighting1 heating1 ventilation1 and air conditioning1 air source heat pumps1 advanced building materials1 insulation and air sealing1 and other high-efficiency products and services1 including auditing and inspection2 7#c7 grid modernization or energy storage1 including smart grid1 microgrid and other distributed energy solutions1 demand response management1 and home energy management technology2 or 7#d7 fuel cell and hybrid fuel cell generation4 7c7 ,use of grants ,an eligible business with-- 7#a7 #bj or fewer employees may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection 7a7 to pay up to-- 7,a7 #de percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by the eligible business2 and 7,b7 #ij percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business2 7#b7 #ba to #ii employees may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection 7a7 to pay up to-- 7,a7 #cg4e percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by the eligible business2 and 7,b7 #ge percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business2 and 7#c7 #ajj employees or more may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection 7a7 to pay up to-- 7,a7 #be percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by the eligible business2 and 7,b7 #ej percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training1 if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business4 7d7 ,priority for targeted communities ,in providing grants under the program established under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible businesses that-- 7#a7 recruit employees-- 7,a7 from the communities that the businesses serve2 and 7,b7 that are minorities1 women1 persons who are or were foster children1 persons who are transitioning from fossil energy sector jobs1 or veterans2 and 7#b7 provide trainees with the opportunity to obtain real-world experience4 7e7 ,limit ,an eligible business may not receive more than #ajj1jjj under the program established under subsection 7a7 per fiscal year4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #gj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #bjc4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,apprenticeship ,the term apprenticeship means an apprenticeship registered under the ,act of ,august #af1 #aicg 7commonly known as the ,national ,apprenticeship ,act2 #ej ,stat4 #ffd1 chapter #ffc2 #bi ,u4,s4,c4 #ej et seq474 7#b7 ,educational institution ,the term educational institution means an elementary school1 secondary school1 or institution of higher education4 7#c7 ,elementary school and secondary school ,the terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given such terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#d7 ,energy-related industry ,the term energy-related industry includes each of the energy efficiency1 renewable energy1 chemical manufacturing1 utility1 alternative fuels1 pipeline1 nuclear energy1 oil1 gas1 and coal industries4 7#e7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb74 7#f7 ,labor organization ,the term labor organization has the meaning given such term in section #b of the ,national ,labor ,relations ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #aeb74 7#g7 ,local workforce development board ,the term local workforce development board means a local board1 as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74 7#h7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an institution of higher education that is of one of the following3 7,a7 ,hispanic-serving institution 7as defined in section #ejb7;a77#e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja;a7a77#e7774 7,b7 ,tribal ,college or ,university 7as defined in section #caf7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b7774 7,c7 ,alaska ,native-serving institution 7as defined in section #cag7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b7774 7,d7 ,native ,hawaiian-serving institution 7as defined in section #cag7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b7774 7,e7 ,predominantly ,black ,institution 7as defined in section #cah7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;e7b7774 7,f7 ,native ,american-serving nontribal institution 7as defined in section #cai7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;f7b7774 7,g7 ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander-serving institution 7as defined in section #cbj7;b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;g7b7774 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#aj7 ,state workforce development board ,the term ,state workforce development board means a ,state board1 as defined in section #c of the ,workforce ,innovation and ,opportunity ,act 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #cajb74