[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2393 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2393

  To promote a 21st century energy workforce, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2019

Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Booker) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                      Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To promote a 21st century energy workforce, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Apprenticeship.--The term ``apprenticeship'' means an 
        apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 
        U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the ``National 
        Apprenticeship Act'').
            (2) Educational institution.--The term ``educational 
        institution'' means--
                    (A) an elementary school;
                    (B) a secondary school; and
                    (C) an institution of higher education.
            (3) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (4) Energy-related industry.--The term ``energy-related 
        industry'' includes each of the following industries:
                    (A) The energy efficiency industry.
                    (B) The renewable energy industry.
                    (C) The chemical manufacturing industry.
                    (D) The utility industry.
                    (E) The alternative fuels industry.
                    (F) The pipeline industry.
                    (G) The nuclear energy industry.
                    (H) The oil and gas industry.
                    (I) The coal industry.
            (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1002).
            (6) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National 
        Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152).
            (7) Local workforce development board.--The term ``local 
        workforce development board'' has the meaning given the term 
        ``local board'' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (8) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means--
                    (A) a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in 
                section 502(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1101a(a)));
                    (B) a Tribal College or University (as defined in 
                section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1059c(b)));
                    (C) an Alaska Native-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)));
                    (D) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act 
                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)));
                    (E) a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined 
                in section 318(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)));
                    (F) a Native American-serving nontribal institution 
                (as defined in section 319(b) of the Higher Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059f(b))); and
                    (G) an Asian American and Native American Pacific 
                Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 
                320(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1059g(b))).
            (9) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (11) State workforce development board.--The term ``State 
        workforce development board'' has the meaning given the term 
        ``State board'' in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (12) Workforce development program.--The term ``workforce 
        development program'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3102).

SEC. 3. ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out a 
comprehensive and nationwide program (referred to in this section as 
the ``program'') in accordance with this section to improve education 
and training for jobs in energy-related industries (including 
manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in 
energy-related industries) to increase the number of skilled workers 
trained to work in energy-related industries.
    (b) Workforce Development.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall--
                    (A) encourage underrepresented groups, including 
                religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, 
                individuals with disabilities, unemployed energy 
                workers, and socioeconomically disadvantaged 
                individuals, to enter into science, technology, 
                engineering, and mathematics fields;
                    (B) encourage educational institutions to provide 
                students with mentors and equip students with the 
                skills, training, and technical expertise necessary to 
                fill the employment opportunities vital to managing and 
                operating energy-related industries;
                    (C) provide internships, fellowships, traineeships, 
                apprenticeships, and employment at the Department of 
                Energy, including at National Laboratories;
                    (D) provide research grants and technical 
                assistance to institutions of higher education, with 
                priority given to minority-serving institutions;
                    (E) provide students and other candidates for 
                employment with the necessary skills and certifications 
                for skilled, semiskilled, and highly skilled jobs in 
                energy-related industries;
                    (F) ensure that the program is in alignment with 
                the Minorities in Energy Initiative of the Department 
                of Energy;
                    (G) engage with other programs and laboratories in 
                the Department of Energy that are carrying out the 
                Minorities in Energy Initiative of the Department of 
                Energy; and
                    (H) to the maximum extent practicable, collaborate 
                with and support State workforce development programs 
                to maximize the efficiency of the program.
            (2) Priority.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall prioritize the education and training of underrepresented 
        groups for jobs in energy-related industries.
    (c) Direct Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--To carry out the program, the Secretary 
        shall provide direct assistance (including financial assistance 
        awards, technical expertise, and guidance on internships) to 
        educational institutions, local workforce development boards, 
        State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, 
        labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs.
            (2) Distribution.--The Secretary shall distribute direct 
        assistance under paragraph (1) in a manner that--
                    (A) is proportional to the needs of, and demand for 
                jobs in, an energy-related industry; and
                    (B) is consistent with the information obtained 
                under subsections (e)(3) and (j).
    (d) Resource Center.--The Secretary shall establish an online 
resource center--
            (1) to maintain and update information and resources on 
        training programs for jobs in energy-related industries 
        (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and 
        retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries); and
            (2) as a resource for educational institutions, local 
        workforce development boards, State workforce development 
        boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and 
        apprenticeship programs that would like to develop and 
        implement training programs for the jobs described in paragraph 
        (1).
    (e) Collaboration and Report.--In carrying out the program, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) collaborate with educational institutions, local 
        workforce development boards, State workforce development 
        boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, 
        apprenticeship programs, and energy-related industries;
            (2) to facilitate the sharing of best practices and 
        approaches that best suit local, State, and national needs, 
        encourage and foster collaboration, mentorship, and partnership 
        between--
                    (A) industry, local workforce development boards, 
                State workforce development boards, nonprofit 
                organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship 
                programs that provide effective training programs for 
                jobs in energy-related industries; and
                    (B) educational institutions that seek to establish 
                those programs; and
            (3) collaborate with the Commissioner of the Bureau of 
        Labor Statistics, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of 
        the Bureau of the Census, and energy-related industries--
                    (A) to develop a comprehensive and detailed 
                understanding of the workforce needs of and job 
                opportunities in energy-related industries, by State 
                and by region; and
                    (B) to publish an annual report on job creation in 
                the energy-related industries described in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (L) of subsection (j)(2).
    (f) Guidelines for Educational Institutions.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
        Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
        Secretary of Labor, and the Director of the National Science 
        Foundation, shall develop and provide to educational 
        institutions voluntary guidelines or best practices for 
        providing graduates with skills necessary for jobs in energy-
        related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, 
        construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related 
        industries).
            (2) Input from industry.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall solicit input from energy-related 
        industries.
            (3) Energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.--The 
        voluntary guidelines or best practices developed under 
        paragraph (1) shall include grade-specific guidelines for 
        teaching students and families of students energy efficiency 
        technology, manufacturing efficiency technology, community 
        energy resiliency, and conservation initiatives.
            (4) STEM education.--The guidelines or best practices 
        developed under paragraph (1) shall promote education in 
        science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as it relates 
        to job opportunities in the energy-related industries described 
        in subsection (j)(2).
    (g) Outreach to Minority-Serving Institutions.--The Secretary 
shall--
            (1) give special consideration to increasing outreach to 
        minority-serving institutions;
            (2) make resources available to minority-serving 
        institutions to increase the number of skilled minorities and 
        women qualified for jobs in energy-related industries 
        (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and 
        retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries);
            (3) encourage energy-related industries to improve 
        opportunities for students of minority-serving institutions to 
        participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study 
        programs; and
            (4) work with the laboratories of the Department of Energy 
        to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in 
        internships, fellowships, training programs, and employment at 
        those laboratories.
    (h) Outreach to Displaced and Unemployed Energy Workers.--The 
Secretary shall--
            (1) give special consideration to increasing outreach to 
        employers and job trainers preparing displaced and unemployed 
        energy workers for emerging jobs in energy-related industries 
        (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and 
        retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries);
            (2) make resources available to institutions that serve 
        displaced and unemployed energy workers to increase the number 
        of individuals trained for jobs in energy-related industries 
        (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and 
        retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries); and
            (3) encourage energy-related industries to improve 
        opportunities for displaced and unemployed energy workers to 
        participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study 
        programs.
    (i) Enrollment in Training and Apprenticeship Programs.--The 
Secretary shall collaborate with industry, local workforce development 
boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, 
labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs to help identify 
students and other candidates, including from underrepresented 
communities such as minorities, women, and veterans, to enroll in 
training and apprenticeship programs for jobs in energy-related 
industries.
    (j) Guidelines To Develop Skills for an Energy Industry 
Workforce.--The Secretary shall, in collaboration with energy-related 
industries--
            (1) identify the areas within each energy-related industry 
        that has the greatest demand for workers; and
            (2) develop guidelines for the skills necessary to work in 
        each of the following energy-related industries:
                    (A) The energy efficiency industry, including work 
                in conservation, weatherization, retrofitting, and 
                inspection and auditing of the industry.
                    (B) The renewable energy industry, including work 
                in the development, engineering, manufacturing, and 
                production of renewable energy from renewable energy 
                sources (such as solar, hydropower, wind, and 
                geothermal energy).
                    (C) The community energy resiliency industry, 
                including work in installation of rooftop solar, 
                battery storage, and microgrid technologies.
                    (D) The fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry.
                    (E) The manufacturing industry, including work in 
                operations technology, operations and design in 
                additive manufacturing, 3-dimensional printing, 
                advanced composites and advanced aluminum and other 
                metal alloys, industrial energy efficiency management 
                systems (including power electronics), and other 
                innovative technologies.
                    (F) The chemical manufacturing industry, including 
                work in construction (such as welding, pipefitting, and 
                tool and die making) and in the position of instrument 
                and electrical technician, machinist, chemical process 
                operator, engineer, quality and safety professional, or 
                reliability engineer.
                    (G) The utility industry, including work in the 
                generation, transmission, and distribution of 
                electricity and natural gas, and in the position of 
                electrician, dispatcher, utility technician, operator, 
                lineworker, engineer, scientist, or information 
                technology specialist.
                    (H) The alternative fuels industry, including work 
                in biofuel development and production.
                    (I) The pipeline industry, including work in 
                pipeline construction and maintenance and in the 
                position of engineer or technical advisor.
                    (J) The nuclear industry, including in the position 
                of scientist, engineer, technician, mathematician, or 
                security personnel.
                    (K) The oil and gas industry, including in the 
                position of scientist, engineer, technician, 
                mathematician, petrochemical engineer, or geologist.
                    (L) The coal industry, including in the position of 
                coal miner, engineer, developer and manufacturer of 
                state-of-the-art coal facilities, technology vendor, 
                coal transportation worker or operator, or mining 
                equipment vendor.

SEC. 4. ENERGY WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        business or labor management organization that--
                    (A)(i) is directly involved with energy efficiency, 
                renewable energy technology, or reduction in greenhouse 
                gas emissions, as determined by the Secretary; or
                    (ii) works on behalf of a business or labor 
                management organization that is directly involved with 
                energy efficiency, renewable energy technology, or 
                reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by 
                the Secretary; and
                    (B) provides services related to--
                            (i) renewable electric energy generation, 
                        including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, 
                        and other renewable electric energy generation 
                        technologies;
                            (ii) energy efficiency, including energy 
                        efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and 
                        air conditioning, air source heat pumps, 
                        advanced building materials, insulation and air 
                        sealing, and other high efficiency products and 
                        services, and auditing and inspection in energy 
                        efficiency;
                            (iii) grid modernization or energy storage, 
                        including smart grid, microgrid and other 
                        distributed energy solutions, demand response 
                        management, and home energy management 
                        technology;
                            (iv) advanced technologies that improve the 
                        conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide 
                        produced from fossil fuels, including carbon 
                        capture and storage and direct air capture;
                            (v) nuclear energy, including nuclear 
                        research, development, demonstration, and 
                        commercial application; or
                            (vi) fuel cell and hybrid fuel cell 
                        generation.
            (2) Labor management organization.--The term ``labor 
        management organization'' includes a nonprofit organization or 
        qualified youth or conservation corps that provides training to 
        individuals to work for an eligible entity that is a business, 
        or works on behalf of an eligible entity that is a business.
    (b) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to 
        provide grants to eligible entities to pay the wages of a new 
        or existing employee during the time period in which the 
        employee receives training to work in the renewable energy 
        sector, energy efficiency sector, or grid modernization sector.
            (2) Guidelines.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with 
        stakeholders, contractors, and organizations that work to 
        advance existing residential energy efficiency, shall establish 
        guidelines for the program under paragraph (1) to determine the 
        criteria for--
                    (A) the wages or stipends that shall be paid using 
                the grant funds; and
                    (B) training received by an employee that qualifies 
                under the program.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) In general.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under 
        subsection (b)(1) shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
        as the Secretary may require.
            (2) Priority for targeted communities.--In providing grants 
        under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall give priority to 
        an eligible entity that--
                    (A) recruits employees--
                            (i) from the one or more communities that 
                        are served by the eligible entity; and
                            (ii) that are minorities, women, veterans, 
                        individuals who are or were foster children, or 
                        individuals who are transitioning from fossil 
                        energy sector jobs; and
                    (B) provides trainees with the opportunity to 
                obtain real-world experience.
            (3) Use of grants.--An eligible entity may use a grant 
        received under subsection (b)(1)--
                    (A) in the case of an eligible entity with 20 or 
                fewer employees, to pay not more than--
                            (i) 45 percent of the wages of an employee 
                        for the duration of the training, if the 
                        training is provided by the eligible entity; 
                        and
                            (ii) 90 percent of the wages of an employee 
                        for the duration of the training, if the 
                        training is provided by an entity other than 
                        the eligible entity;
                    (B) in the case of an eligible entity with 21 to 99 
                employees, to pay not more than--
                            (i) 37.5 percent of the wages of an 
                        employee for the duration of the training, if 
                        the training is provided by the eligible 
                        entity; and
                            (ii) 75 percent of the wages of an employee 
                        for the duration of the training, if the 
                        training is provided by an entity other than 
                        the eligible entity; and
                    (C) in the case of an eligible entity with not less 
                than 100 employees, to pay not more than--
                            (i) 25 percent of the wages of an employee 
                        for the duration of the training, if the 
                        training is provided by the eligible entity; 
                        and
                            (ii) 50 percent of the wages of an employee 
                        for the duration of the training, if the 
                        training is provided by an entity other than 
                        the eligible entity.
            (4) Grant amount.--An eligible entity may not receive more 
        than $100,000 per fiscal year under subsection (b)(1).
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2020 through 2024.
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