I 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4584 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 3, 2010 Mr. Braley of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Labor to award grants for worker training, technology development, and applied research in the wind energy industry production and energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design industries.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the New Era Expansion Act.

2.

New Era Rural Workforce Training Program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Labor shall establish a program to be known as the New Era Rural Workforce Training Program, to award grants for worker training, technology development, and applied research in the wind energy industry production and energy efficient construction, retrofitting, and design industries. (b)

Eligibility

To receive a grant under this Act, an entity shall— (1)be a community college located in a rural area and in existence on the date of the enactment of this section, that participates in wind energy workforce development, wind energy research, or energy efficient construction, retrofitting, or design workforce development; (2)have a proven record of development and implementation of programs to meet the needs of students, educators, and business and industry to supply the wind energy field or energy efficient construction field with certified technicians, as determined by the Secretary; and (3)have the ability to leverage existing partnerships and occupational outreach and training programs for secondary schools, 4-year institutions, and relevant nonprofit organizations. (c)

Definition of Community College

In this Act, the term community college means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that— (1)admits as regular students individuals who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is located; (2)does not provide an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree; and (3)(A)provides an educational program of not less than 2 years that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree; or (B)offers a 2-year program in engineering, technology, mathematics, applied sciences, renewable energy systems or wind turbine repair, or offers green building professional certification and training, designed to prepare a student to work as a technician or at the semiprofessional level in engineering, scientific, or other technological fields requiring the understanding and application of basic engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles of knowledge. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.