[House Report 110-262]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    110-262

======================================================================



 
                         GREEN JOBS ACT OF 2007

                                _______
                                

 July 27, 2007.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. George Miller of California, from the Committee on Education and 
                     Labor, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2847]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Education and Labor, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 2847) to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998 to establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy 
worker training program, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill 
as amended do pass.

  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Green Jobs Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY WORKER TRAINING PROGRAM.

  Section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2916) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
  ``(e) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training 
Program.--
          ``(1) Grant program.--
                  ``(A) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the 
                date of enactment of the Green Jobs Act of 2007, the 
                Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Energy, shall establish an energy efficiency and 
                renewable energy worker training program under which 
                the Secretary shall carry out the activities described 
                in paragraph (2) to achieve the purposes of this 
                subsection.
                  ``(B) Eligibility.--For purposes of providing 
                assistance and services under the program established 
                under this subsection--
                          ``(i) target populations of eligible 
                        individuals to be given priority for training 
                        and other services shall include--
                                  ``(I) workers affected by national 
                                energy and environmental policy;
                                  ``(II) individuals in need of updated 
                                training related to the energy 
                                efficiency and renewable energy 
                                industries; and
                                  ``(III) veterans, or past and present 
                                members of reserve components of the 
                                Armed Forces;
                                  ``(IV) unemployed workers;
                                  ``(V) individuals, including at-risk 
                                youth, seeking employment pathways out 
                                of poverty and into economic self-
                                sufficiency; and
                                  ``(VI) formerly incarcerated, 
                                adjudicated, non-violent offenders;
                          ``(ii) energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                        industries eligible to participate in a program 
                        under this subsection include--
                                  ``(I) the energy-efficient building, 
                                construction, and retrofits industries;
                                  ``(II) the renewable electric power 
                                industry;
                                  ``(III) the energy efficient and 
                                advanced drive train vehicle industry;
                                  ``(IV) the biofuels industry;
                                  ``(V) the deconstruction and 
                                materials use industries;
                                  ``(VI) the energy efficiency 
                                assessment industry serving the 
                                residential, commercial, or industrial 
                                sectors; and
                                  ``(VII) manufacturers that produce 
                                sustainable products using 
                                environmentally sustainable processes 
                                and materials.
          ``(2) Activities.--
                  ``(A) National research program.--Under the program 
                established under paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting 
                through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, where 
                appropriate, shall collect and analyze labor market 
                data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-
                related initiatives carried out under this subsection. 
                Activities carried out under this paragraph shall 
                include--
                          ``(i) tracking and documentation of academic 
                        and occupational competencies as well as future 
                        skill needs with respect to renewable energy 
                        and energy efficiency technology;
                          ``(ii) tracking and documentation of 
                        occupational information and workforce training 
                        data with respect to renewable energy and 
                        energy efficiency technology;
                          ``(iii) collaborating with State agencies, 
                        workforce investments boards, industry, 
                        organized labor, and community and nonprofit 
                        organizations to disseminate information on 
                        successful innovations for labor market 
                        services and worker training with respect to 
                        renewable energy and energy efficiency 
                        technology;
                          ``(iv) serving as a clearinghouse for best 
                        practices in workforce development, job 
                        placement, and collaborative training 
                        partnerships;
                          ``(v) promoting the establishment of 
                        workforce training initiatives with respect to 
                        renewable energy and energy efficiency 
                        technologies; and
                          ``(vi) linking research and development in 
                        renewable energy and energy efficiency 
                        technology with the development of standards 
                        and curricula for current and future jobs;
                          ``(vii) assessing new employment and work 
                        practices including career ladder and upgrade 
                        training as well as high performance work 
                        systems;
                          ``(viii) providing technical assistance and 
                        capacity building to national and state energy 
                        partnerships, including industry and labor 
                        representatives.
                  ``(B) National energy training partnership grants.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                        shall award National Energy Training 
                        Partnerships Grants on a competitive basis to 
                        eligible entities to enable such entities to 
                        carry out training that leads to economic self-
                        sufficiency and to develop an energy efficiency 
                        and renewable energy industries workforce. 
                        Grants shall be awarded under this subparagraph 
                        so as to ensure geographic diversity with at 
                        least 2 grants awarded to entities located in 
                        each of the 4 Petroleum Administration for 
                        Defense Districts with no subdistricts, and at 
                        least 1 grant awarded to an entity located in 
                        each of the subdistricts of the Petroleum 
                        Administration for Defense District with 
                        subdistricts, as such districts are established 
                        by the Secretary of Energy.
                          ``(ii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant under clause (i), an entity 
                        shall be a non-profit partnership that--
                                  ``(I) includes the equal 
                                participation of industry, including 
                                public or private employers, and labor 
                                organizations, including joint labor-
                                management training programs, and may 
                                include workforce investment boards, 
                                community-based organizations, 
                                educational institutions, small 
                                businesses, cooperatives, State and 
                                local veterans agencies, and veterans 
                                service organizations; and
                                  ``(II) demonstrates--
                                          ``(aa) experience in 
                                        implementing and operating 
                                        worker skills training and 
                                        education programs;
                                          ``(bb) the ability to 
                                        identify and involve in 
                                        training programs carried out 
                                        under this grant, target 
                                        populations of workers who 
                                        would benefit from activities 
                                        related to energy efficiency 
                                        and renewable energy 
                                        industries; and
                                          ``(cc) the ability to help 
                                        workers achieve economic self-
                                        sufficiency.
                          ``(iii) Priority.--Priority shall be given to 
                        partnerships which leverage additional public 
                        and private resources to fund training 
                        programs, including cash or in-kind matches 
                        from participating employers.
                  ``(C) State labor market research, information, and 
                labor exchange research program.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                        shall award competitive grants to States to 
                        enable such States to administer labor market 
                        and labor exchange information programs that 
                        include the implementation of the activities 
                        described in clause (ii), in coordination with 
                        the one-stop delivery system.
                          ``(ii) Activities.--A State shall use amounts 
                        awarded under a grant under this subparagraph 
                        to provide funding to the State agency that 
                        administers the Wagner-Peyser Act and State 
                        unemployment compensation programs to carry out 
                        the following activities using State agency 
                        merit staff:
                                  ``(I) The identification of job 
                                openings in the renewable energy and 
                                energy efficiency sector.
                                  ``(II) The administration of skill 
                                and aptitude testing and assessment for 
                                workers.
                                  ``(III) The counseling, case 
                                management, and referral of qualified 
                                job seekers to openings and training 
                                programs, including energy efficiency 
                                and renewable energy training programs.
                  ``(D) State energy training partnership program.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                        shall award competitive grants to States to 
                        enable such States to administer renewable 
                        energy and energy efficiency workforce 
                        development programs that include the 
                        implementation of the activities described in 
                        clause (ii).
                          ``(ii) Partnerships.--A State shall use 
                        amounts awarded under a grant under this 
                        subparagraph to award competitive grants to 
                        eligible State Energy Sector Partnerships to 
                        enable such Partnerships to coordinate with 
                        existing apprenticeship and labor management 
                        training programs and implement training 
                        programs that lead to the economic self-
                        sufficiency of trainees.
                          ``(iii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant under this subparagraph, a 
                        State Energy Sector Partnership shall--
                                  ``(I) consist of non-profit 
                                organizations that include equal 
                                participation from industry, including 
                                public or private nonprofit employers, 
                                and labor organizations, including 
                                joint labor-management training 
                                programs, and may include 
                                representatives from local governments, 
                                the workforce investment system, 
                                including worker investment agency one-
                                stop career centers, community based 
                                organizations, community colleges, and 
                                other post-secondary institutions, 
                                small businesses, cooperatives, State 
                                and local veterans agencies, and 
                                veterans service organizations;
                                  ``(II) demonstrate experience in 
                                implementing and operating worker 
                                skills training and education programs; 
                                and
                                  ``(III) demonstrate the ability to 
                                identify and involve in training 
                                programs, target populations of workers 
                                who would benefit from activities 
                                related to energy efficiency and 
                                renewable energy industries.
                          ``(iv) Priority.--In awarding grants under 
                        this subparagraph, the Secretary shall give 
                        priority to States that demonstrate that 
                        activities under the grant--
                                  ``(I) meet national energy policies 
                                associated with energy efficiency, 
                                renewable energy, and the reduction of 
                                emissions of greenhouse gases;
                                  ``(II) meet State energy policies 
                                associated with energy efficiency, 
                                renewable energy, and the reduction of 
                                emissions of greenhouse gases; and
                                  ``(III) leverage additional public 
                                and private resources to fund training 
                                programs, including cash or in-kind 
                                matches from participating employers.
                          ``(v) Coordination.--A grantee under this 
                        subparagraph shall coordinate activities 
                        carried out under the grant with existing other 
                        appropriate training programs, including 
                        apprenticeship and labor management training 
                        programs, and implement training programs that 
                        lead to the economic self-sufficiency of 
                        trainees.
                  ``(E) Pathways out of poverty demonstration 
                program.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                        shall award at least 10 competitive grants to 
                        eligible entities to enable such entities to 
                        carry out training that leads to economic self-
                        sufficiency. The Secretary shall give priority 
                        to entities that serve individuals in families 
                        with income of less than 200 percent of the 
                        poverty threshold (as determined by the Bureau 
                        of the Census) or a self-sufficiency standard 
                        for the local areas where the training is 
                        conducted that specifies the income needs of 
                        families, by family size, the number and ages 
                        of children in the family, and sub-State 
                        geographical considerations. Grants shall be 
                        awards to ensure geographic diversity.
                          ``(ii) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant an entity shall be a 
                        partnership that--
                                  ``(I) includes community-based non-
                                profit organizations, educational 
                                institutions with expertise in serving 
                                low-income adults or youth, public or 
                                private employers from the industry 
                                sectors described in paragraph 
                                (1)(B)(ii), and labor organizations 
                                representing workers in such industry 
                                sectors;
                                  ``(II) demonstrates experience in 
                                implementing and operating worker 
                                skills training and education programs;
                                  ``(III) coordinates activities, where 
                                appropriate, with the workforce 
                                investment system; and
                                  ``(IV) demonstrates the ability to 
                                recruit individuals for training and to 
                                support such individuals to successful 
                                completion in training programs carried 
                                out under this grant, targeting 
                                populations of workers who are or will 
                                be engaged in activities related to 
                                energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                                industries.
                          ``(iii) Priorities.--In awarding grants under 
                        this paragraph, the Secretary shall give 
                        priority to applicants that--
                                  ``(I) target programs to benefit low-
                                income workers, unemployed youth and 
                                adults, high school dropouts, or other 
                                underserved sectors of the workforce 
                                within areas of high poverty;
                                  ``(II) ensure that supportive 
                                services are integrated with education 
                                and training, and delivered by 
                                organizations with direct access to and 
                                experience with targeted populations;
                                  ``(III) leverage additional public 
                                and private resources to fund training 
                                programs, including cash or in-kind 
                                matches from participating employers;
                                  ``(IV) involve employers and labor 
                                organizations in the determination of 
                                relevant skills and competencies and 
                                ensure that the certificates or 
                                credentials that result from the 
                                training are employer-recognized;
                                  ``(V) deliver courses at alternative 
                                times (such as evening and weekend 
                                programs) and locations most convenient 
                                and accessible to participants; and
                                  ``(VI) link adult remedial education 
                                with occupational skills training.
                          ``(iv) Data collection.--Grantees shall 
                        collect and report the following information:
                                  ``(I) The number of participants.
                                  ``(II) The demographic 
                                characteristics of participants, 
                                including race, gender, age, parenting 
                                status, participation in other Federal 
                                programs, education and literacy level 
                                at entry, significant barriers to 
                                employment (such as limited English 
                                proficiency, criminal record, addiction 
                                or mental health problem requiring 
                                treatment, or mental disability).
                                  ``(III) The services received by 
                                participants, including training, 
                                education, and supportive services.
                                  ``(IV) The amount of program spending 
                                per participant.
                                  ``(V) Program completion rates.
                                  ``(VI) Factors determined as 
                                significantly interfering with program 
                                participation or completion.
                                  ``(VII) The rate of Job placement and 
                                the rate of employment retention after 
                                1 year.
                                  ``(VIII) The average wage at 
                                placement, including any benefits, and 
                                the rate of average wage increase after 
                                1 year.
                                  ``(IX) Any post-employment supportive 
                                services provided.
                        The Secretary shall assist grantees in the 
                        collection of data under this clause by making 
                        available, where practicable, low-cost means of 
                        tracking the labor market outcomes of 
                        participants, and by providing standardized 
                        reporting forms, where appropriate.
          ``(3) Activities.--
                  ``(A) In general.--Activities to be carried out under 
                a program authorized by subparagraphs (B), (D), or (E) 
                of paragraph (2) shall be coordinated with existing 
                systems or providers, as appropriate. Such activities 
                may include--
                          ``(i) occupational skills training, including 
                        curriculum development, on-the-job training, 
                        and classroom training;
                          ``(ii) safety and health training;
                          ``(iii) the provision of basic skills, 
                        literacy, GED, English as a second language, 
                        and job readiness training;
                          ``(iv) individual referral and tuition 
                        assistance for a community college training 
                        program, or any training program leading to an 
                        industry-recognized certificate;
                          ``(v) internship programs in fields related 
                        to energy efficiency and renewable energy;
                          ``(vi) customized training in conjunction 
                        with an existing registered apprenticeship 
                        program or labor-management partnership;
                          ``(vii) career ladder and upgrade training;
                          ``(viii) the implementation of transitional 
                        jobs strategies; and
                          ``(ix) the provision of supportive services.
                  ``(B) Outreach activities.--In addition to the 
                activities authorized under subparagraph (A), 
                activities authorized for programs under subparagraphs 
                (D) or (E) of paragraph (2) may include the provision 
                of outreach, recruitment, career guidance, and case 
                management services.
          ``(4) Worker protections and nondiscrimination 
        requirements.--
                  ``(A) Application of wia.--The provisions of sections 
                181 and 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 
                U.S.C. 2931 and 2938) shall apply to all programs 
                carried out with assistance under this subsection.
                  ``(B) Consultation with labor organizations.--If a 
                labor organization represents a substantial number of 
                workers who are engaged in similar work or training in 
                an area that is the same as the area that is proposed 
                to be funded under this Act, the labor organization 
                shall be provided an opportunity to be consulted and to 
                submit comments in regard to such a proposal.
          ``(5) Performance measures.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall negotiate and 
                reach agreement with the eligible entities that receive 
                grants and assistance under this section on performance 
                measures for the indicators of performance referred to 
                in subparagraph (A) and (B) of section 136(b)(2) that 
                will be used to evaluate the performance of the 
                eligible entity in carrying out the activities 
                described in subsection (e)(2). Each State and local 
                performance measure shall consist of such an indicator 
                of performance, and a performance level referred to in 
                subparagraph (B).
                  ``(B) Performance levels.--The Secretary shall 
                negotiate and reach agreement with the eligible entity 
                regarding the levels of performance expected to be 
                achieved by the eligible entity on the indicators of 
                performance.
          ``(6) Report.--
                  ``(A) Status report.--Not later than 18 months after 
                the date of enactment of the Green Jobs Act of 2007, 
                the Secretary shall transmit a report to Congress on 
                the training program established by this subsection. 
                The report shall include a description of the entities 
                receiving funding and the activities carried out by 
                such entities.
                  ``(B) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                date of enactment of such Act, the Secretary shall 
                transmit to Congress an assessment of such program and 
                an evaluation of the activities carried out by entities 
                receiving funding from such program.
          ``(7) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term 
        `renewable energy' has the meaning given such term in section 
        203(b)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58).
          ``(8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $125,000,000 
        for each fiscal year, of which--
                  ``(A) not to exceed 20 percent of the amount 
                appropriated in each such fiscal year shall be made 
                available for, and shall be equally divided between, 
                national labor market research and information under 
                paragraph (2)(A) and State labor market information and 
                labor exchange research under paragraph (2)(C), and not 
                more than 2 percent of such amount shall be for the 
                evaluation and report required under paragraph (4);
                  ``(B) 20 percent shall be dedicated to Pathways Out 
                of Poverty Demonstration Programs under paragraph 
                (2)(E); and
                  ``(C) the remainder shall be divided equally between 
                National Energy Partnership Training Grants under 
                paragraph (2)(B) and State energy training partnership 
                grants under paragraph (2)(D).''.

                               I. Purpose

    The purpose of this legislation is to establish a 
sustainable, public program providing quality workforce 
training linked to good jobs that are created by federal 
renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

    II. Committee Action Including Legislative History and Votes in 
                               Committee


                             110TH CONGRESS

Introduction of the Green Jobs Act of 2007

    H.R. 2847, the Green Jobs Act of 2007, was introduced on 
June 25, 2007, by Ms. Solis, for herself, Mr. Tierney and Mr. 
McNerney. The bill was referred to the House Committee on 
Education and Labor.

Full Committee markup of the Green Jobs Act of 2007

    On June 27, 2007, the Committee on Education and Labor met 
to markup H.R. 2847. The bill was ordered to be reported by the 
Committee, by a vote of 26 ayes, 18 nays and 1 present. During 
the markup, several amendments were considered. The amendments 
are described in the Explanation of Amendments section of this 
report.

                        III. Summary of the Bill

    The legislation would establish a grant program for Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce Training to be 
administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) in coordination 
with the Department of Energy to help America develop the 
specialized workforce skills needed to ensure robust growth and 
development of good jobs in the renewable energy and energy 
efficiency industries. The initiative would: (1) expand our 
nation's capacity to identify and track the new jobs and skills 
associated with the growing clean energy technology sector; (2) 
develop national and state skill training programs that will 
demonstrate best practices in quality training that address 
skill shortages that have already begun to impair the expansion 
of clean energy and efficiency technologies; and (3) provide a 
pathway out of poverty by training targeted workers for 
sustainable employment.

                   IV. Statement and Committee Views


The United States must reduce its dependency on oil

    It has become increasingly clear that the United States 
must reduce its dependency on oil. The United States is home to 
less than three percent of the world's reserves and more than 
sixty percent of oil consumed in the United States is imported, 
costing our nation more than $290 billion annually. U.S. 
gasoline consumption as a share of GDP is nearly five times 
that in the other major industrialized countries.
    The dependency on oil makes us subject to the international 
risks associated with unpredictable and unstable nations. 
Seventy-seven percent of the world's 1.148 trillion barrels of 
proven reserves are in the hands of the national companies; 14 
of the top 20 oil-producing companies are state-controlled. Our 
nation's dependence on foreign energy sources and energy costs 
has grown, making all Americans less secure and hitting the 
bottom lines of families and businesses across the country.
    A recent report titled ``National Security and the Threat 
of Climate Change,'' underscored the connection between 
security, energy use and climate change and clearly outlined 
the risks of inaction. It concluded that climate change is a 
threat multiplier for instability in some of the most volatile 
regions of our world, resulting in already weak and failing 
governments being pushed toward authoritarianism and radical 
ideologies.

Renewable energy sources provide hope for the future

    Renewable energy sources hold the promise of providing a 
long term solution to our nation's energy needs. Renewable 
energy sources include solar power, wind power, hydropower, 
biomass and geothermal energy. By definition, renewable energy 
sources do not diminish over time, and they have much less of 
an environmental impact. Developing these resources in a 
responsible way can go a long way towards addressing our energy 
security needs and global warming.

Job growth in the energy sector

    The energy sector of our economy is growing. President 
Bush's high growth job initiative identified the energy sector 
as one of 14 sectors that fit within the following criteria: 
(1) projected to add substantial numbers of new jobs to the 
economy or affect the growth of other industries; or (2) 
existing or emerging businesses being transformed by technology 
and innovation requiring new skills sets for workers.

Our workers currently lack the skills needed for renewable energy jobs

    We increasingly face a skills gap in our economy. The jobs 
being created in the 21st Century require higher skill levels 
than ever before. Currently, our workforce does not have the 
necessary skills required to meet the needs of employers in the 
new economy. We must invest in education and training to help 
our workers meet this challenge.
    This skills gap issue is prevalent in the energy sector of 
our economy. A 2006 study from the National Renewable Energy 
Lab (NREL) identified the shortage of skills and training as a 
leading non-technical barrier to renewable energy and energy 
efficiency growth. The NREL study identified a number of 
critical unmet training needs, including lack of reliable 
installation, maintenance, and inspection services, the 
shortage of key technical and manufacturing skills, and failure 
of the educational system to provide adequate training in new 
technologies.
    Employers and investors in the renewable energy sector have 
identified this gap as a barrier to growth and expansion. 
According to Energy Solutions (St. Louis, MO), ``The limiting 
factor to our growth as an industry is lack of qualified 
professionals to perform the analyses. We need a more robust 
effort to train even college graduates to understand the use of 
energy in the built environment . . .'' Mainstay Energy 
(Chicago, IL) expressed similar concerns, stating, ``We see 
incredible promise for energy to drive the re-industrialization 
of this region, but we need more skilled workers. In everything 
from construction to engineering to trades to project 
management, our economy can benefit from more well-trained 
``green collar'' workers.''
    As Congress advances programs to enhance the development of 
energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, the shortage of 
trained workers is emerging as a significant barrier to growth 
in this sector.

The Green Jobs Act of 2007 will help train the workers we need

    The programs established by the Green Jobs Act of 2007 
would help ensure that our nation has the most up-to-date 
research and labor market information as well as the best 
models for training workers in the new skills required to 
properly manufacture, install, maintain, and operate clean 
energy technologies. For instance, grant funding provided under 
the legislation could train workers in such substantial new 
skills as wind turbine siting, airfoils and composite repair, 
and weather patterns that affect turbine performance.
    While the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries 
use many skills that can be transferred from other industries, 
specific, additional skills are often needed to take maximum 
advantage of the newer energy technologies. For instance, 
investments in training of building maintenance workers and 
building superintendents and engineers can improve the 
operations of today's sophisticated heating and cooling systems 
by as much as ten percent in large public and commercial 
buildings, according to the National Association of Energy 
Services Companies. Such training could save millions of 
dollars per year in energy costs in larger public or commercial 
buildings.
    The Green Jobs Act of 2007 will help address this need by 
providing training opportunities for 20,000 to 30,000 workers a 
year.

                     V. Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 provides that the Short Title of H.R. 2847 is the 
``Green Jobs Act of 2007.''

Section 2.

    Section 2 creates a Subsection (e) in Section 171, of the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).
    Section 171(e) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
Worker Training Program.
    Section 171(e)(1)(A) directs the Secretary of Labor to 
establish an energy efficient and renewable energy worker 
training program in consultation with the Secretary of Energy.
    Section 171(e)(1)(B)(i) identifies target populations who 
have priority for training under the act.
    Section 171(e)(1)(B)(ii) provides a nonexclusive list of 
eligible energy efficiency and renewable industries.
    Section 171(e)(2)(A) establishes a national research 
program to develop labor market data and track future green 
collar workforce trends through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 
where appropriate.
    Section 171(e)(2)(B)(i) establishes National Energy 
Training Partnership Grants. These competitive grants would be 
available to all eligible entities to carry out training that 
leads to economic self sufficiency and develops an energy 
efficiency and renewable energy industries workforce. The grant 
process is intended to ensure geographic diversity, by 
requiring that at least two grants are awarded to entities 
located in each of the four Petroleum Administration for 
Defense Districts and at least one is awarded to an entity 
located in each of the sub districts of the Petroleum 
Administration or Defense District.
    Section 171(e)(2)(B)(ii) includes a list of requirements 
for the partnerships eligible to receive a grant. The 
partnerships must include business and labor, and may include 
other entities involved in education and training. The 
partnership must demonstrate experience in implementing 
training and education programs and in identifying populations 
who would benefit from the training. Priority is provided to 
partnerships that leverage other resources.
    Section 171(e)(2)(B)(iii) provides that eligible activities 
for the National Energy training partnership grants program 
include occupational skills training, safety and health 
training, wrap around support services (including 
transportation, child care and income support), basic skills 
such as job readiness, GED and English as a second language, 
and tuition assistance for community college training programs.
    Section 171(e)(2)(C)(i) provides for a State Labor Marker 
Research, Information and Labor Exchange Research program to be 
implemented in coordination with the one-stop delivery system.
    Section 171(e)(2)(C)(ii) provides for funding to state 
agencies that administer the Wagner-Peyser Act and state 
unemployment compensation programs. The funding is provided for 
the agencies to identify job openings, administer skill and 
aptitude testing and provide counseling and case management 
services.
    Section 171(e)(2)(D)(i) establishes a State Energy Training 
Partnership Program. Under this program, the Secretary shall 
provide grants to States to administer renewable energy and 
energy efficiency workforce development programs.
    Section 171(e)(2)(D)(ii) directs the State to use the 
amounts awarded to eligible State Energy Sector Partnerships, 
in coordination with existing apprenticeships, labor management 
training programs and programs that lead to training 
individuals for economic self-sufficiency.
    Section 171(e)(2)(D)(iii) provides the requirements for 
eligibility to receive a State Energy Sector Partnership grant. 
A partnership must include equal participation of industry and 
labor, and may include other entities involved in education and 
training. The partnership must demonstrate experience in 
implementing training and education programs and in identifying 
populations who would benefit from the training. Priority is 
provided to partnerships which leverage other resources.
    Section 171(e)(2)(D)(iv) provides priority to States that 
demonstrate that activities under the grant meet National and 
State energy policies, and leverage other resources.
    Section 171(e)(2)(D)(v) requires grantees to coordinate 
with existing apprenticeships, labor management training 
programs and programs encouraging economic self-sufficiency.
    Section 171(e)(2)(E)(i) defines the purpose of the Pathways 
Out of Poverty Demonstration Program grants that enable 
eligible entities to carry out training that leads to economic 
self-sufficiency, for targeted impoverished families. This 
section enables the program to award a minimum of 10 grants to 
eligible entities that train or lead to helping individuals 
establish economic self-sufficiency.
    Section 171(e)(2)(E)(ii) outlines the requirements for 
entities to be eligible to receive a Pathways Out of Poverty 
grant. Partnerships must include community based organizations, 
educational institutions, industry and labor organizations. 
Eligible entities must have expertise in serving the lower 
income public, and must demonstrate experience in training, and 
recruiting targeted populations.
    Section 171(e)(2)(E)(iii) provides priority to grant 
applicants that: target low income workers; ensure integrated 
supportive services; leverage other resources; involve 
employers and labor; deliver services at alternative times and 
locations; and link with adult remedial education and training.
    Section 171(e)(2)(E)(v) requires grantees to collect and 
report their programs data. The data includes the number of 
participants, demographic characteristics of participants, a 
detailed description of services rendered to the participants, 
the amount of spending, program completion rates, placement 
rates, average wage at placement and all performance 
information.
    Section 171(e)(3)(A) outlines the activities to be carried 
out under the National Energy Training Partnerships, the State 
Energy Training Partnerships, and the Pathways Out of Poverty 
Demonstration Grants. Such activities include: occupational 
training; on-the-job training; safety and health training; 
basic skills, literacy, GED, ESL and job readiness training; 
training leading to community college or industry-recognized 
certificate training; internships; customized training; career 
ladder training; transitional jobs strategies; and supportive 
services. Where internships are funded through these grants, 
the Committee urges that they be paid internships, where 
possible.
    Section 171(e)(3)(B) provides for outreach and recruitment 
activities for the State Energy Training Partnerships and the 
Pathways Out of Poverty Grants.
    Section 171(e)(4) applies the WIA worker protection and 
nondiscrimination provisions to all programs carried out under 
the subsection, and provides for consultation with labor 
organizations representing affected workers.
    Section 171(e)(5) provides for the Secretary to negotiate 
performance measures to measure the effectiveness of programs 
funded by the grants authorized under this act.
    Section 171(e)(6) requires the Secretary to report to 
Congress on the status of the program not later than 18 months 
of the date of enactment, and requires an evaluation of the 
program not later than 3 years after the date of enactment.
    Section 171(e)(7) defines renewable energy consistent with 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
    Section 171(e)(8) provides an authorization of $125,000,000 
to carry out the purposes of this act. No more than twenty 
percent of the amount appropriated is to be available for 
national labor market research, and state labor market 
information. Twenty percent is to be dedicated to the Pathways 
Out of Poverty Demonstration programs and the remainder shall 
be divided between the National Energy Partnership Training 
Grants and State Energy Training Partnership Grants.

                     VI. Explanation of Amendments

    A summary of the amendments appears below:
    McKeon Substitute: This substitute proposed to strike the 
creation of the new program and replace it with specific 
authority for state and local workforce investment boards to 
carry out worker training programs focusing on renewable energy 
and energy efficiency. The authority to carry out such programs 
is already provided for in current law, however insufficient 
funding has militated against the creation of programs designed 
to address National priorities such as Green Jobs. The 
amendment was defeated by a vote of 20 ayes and 25 nays.
    Boustany Amendment: This amendment proposed to sunset the 
program created in the Green Jobs Act after five years. The 
program was created as a part of the Workforce Investment Act 
of 1998 (WIA), and as such it would be subject to the 
authorization cycle of WIA. The amendment was defeated by a 
vote of 18 ayes and 26 nays.
    Price Amendment: This amendment proposed to apply Paygo to 
H.R. 2847. This Congress has imposed strict Paygo requirements 
on all mandatory spending. H.R. 2847 does not contain mandatory 
or direct spending. All funds provided for the grant program 
are subject to appropriations. The amendment was defeated by a 
vote of 20 ayes and 25 nays.
    McKeon Amendment: This amendment proposed to add ``the 
nuclear and clean coal to liquids industries'' to the list of 
eligible industries. There are serious questions regarding 
whether these industries can be fairly described as safe, 
clean, and efficient renewable energy industries. The amendment 
was defeated by a vote of 20 ayes and 25 nays.
    McKeon Amendment: This amendment proposed to strike 
priority to ``formerly incarcerated, adjudicated, non-violent 
offenders.'' This population is in great need of additional 
skills, in order to avoid recidivism and the cycle of poverty. 
The amendment was defeated by a vote of 20 ayes and 26 nays.
    The following amendments were adopted by voice vote:
    Kucinich Amendment: This amendment added ``the energy 
efficiency assessment industry'' as an eligible industry.
    Ehlers Amendment: This amendment added ``manufacturers that 
produce sustainable products using environmentally sustainable 
processes and materials'' as an eligible industry.
    Foxx Amendment: To require the Secretary of Labor to apply 
performance measures to the grants.
    Tierney Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute: The 
substitute contained technical modifications.

           VII. Application of Law to the Legislative Branch

    Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1, the Congressional 
Accountability Act, requires a description of the application 
of this bill to the legislative branch. H.R. 2847 would have no 
direct impact on the Legislative Branch.

                   VIII. Regulatory Impact Statement

    The Committee has determined that H.R. 2847 will have only 
a minimal impact on the regulatory burden.

                     IX. Unfunded Mandate Statement

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) requires a statement of 
whether the provisions of the reported bill include unfunded 
mandates.
    (See attached CBO letter for further analysis.)

                          X. Earmark Statement

    H.R. 2847 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e) or 9(f) of rule XXI.


    XII. Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the 
                               Committee

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of this report.

            XIII. New Budget Authority and CBO Cost Estimate

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect 
to requirements of 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives and section 402 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following 
estimate for H.R. 2847 from the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, July 13, 2007.
Hon. George Miller,
Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2847, the Green 
Jobs Act of 2007.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christina 
Hawley Anthony.
            Sincerely,
                                           Peter R. Orszag,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 2847--Green Jobs Act of 2007

    Summary: H.R. 2847 would amend the Workforce Investment Act 
of 1998 to create a new training program for energy efficiency 
and renewable energy workers. That program would target workers 
affected by national energy and environmental policy and 
individuals in need of updated training in those areas. The 
bill would authorize appropriations of $125 million for each 
fiscal year for activities that would include national and 
state labor market research, job referral, and job training. 
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates 
that implementing H.R. 2847 would increase outlays by $5 
million in 2008 and $390 million over the 2008-2012 period. 
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    H.R. 2847 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 2847 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 500 
(education, training, employment: and social services).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2008      2009      2010      2011      2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training
 Program:
    Authorization Level.......................................       125       125       125       125       125
    Estimated Outlays.........................................         5        45        95       120       125
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
bill will be enacted by the end of fiscal year 2007 that the 
amounts authorized in the bill are appropriated for each year, 
and that outlays will follow historical patterns for similar 
programs.
    H.R. 2847 would amend the Workforce Investment Act to 
authorize appropriations of $125 million annually for a new 
training program for energy efficiency and renewable energy 
workers. Funding would be allocated for labor market research 
at the national and state levels, and to competitive grants to 
states and nonprofit organizations for workforce development 
and job training activities that target energy efficiency and 
renewable energy sectors. Assuming appropriation of the 
authorized amounts, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would 
cost $5 million in 2008 and $390 million over the 2008-2012 
period.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2847 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA. It would authorize several grant programs that 
would benefit state governments. Any costs to those governments 
would be incurred voluntarily as a condition of receiving 
federal assistance.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Christina Hawley 
Anthony; Impact on state, local, and tribal governments: 
Melissa Merrell; Impact on the private sector: Nabeel Alsalam.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

       XIV. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause 3(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal 
of H.R. 2847 is to establish a grant program to provide for 
energy efficiency and renewable energy workforce training.

                 XV. Constitutional Authority Statement

    Under clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, the Committee must include a statement 
citing the specific powers granted to Congress in the 
Constitution to enact the law proposed by H.R. 2847. The 
Committee believes that the amendments made by this bill, which 
establish a sustainable, public program providing quality 
workforce training linked to good jobs that are created by 
federal renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives are 
within Congress' authority under Article I, section 8, clause 1 
of the Constitution of the United States.

                        XVI. Committee Estimate

    Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison of the 
costs that would be incurred in carrying out H.R. 2847. 
However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this 
requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in 
its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act.

      XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is 
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT OF 1998

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



TITLE I--WORKFORCE INVESTMENT SYSTEMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subtitle D--National Programs

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 171. DEMONSTRATION, PILOT, MULTISERVICE, RESEARCH, AND MULTISTATE 
                    PROJECTS.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (e) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training 
Program.--
          (1) Grant program.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 6 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Green Jobs 
                Act of 2007, the Secretary, in consultation 
                with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish 
                an energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                worker training program under which the 
                Secretary shall carry out the activities 
                described in paragraph (2) to achieve the 
                purposes of this subsection.
                  (B) Eligibility.--For purposes of providing 
                assistance and services under the program 
                established under this subsection--
                          (i) target populations of eligible 
                        individuals to be given priority for 
                        training and other services shall 
                        include--
                                  (I) workers affected by 
                                national energy and 
                                environmental policy;
                                  (II) individuals in need of 
                                updated training related to the 
                                energy efficiency and renewable 
                                energy industries; and
                                  (III) veterans, or past and 
                                present members of reserve 
                                components of the Armed Forces;
                                  (IV) unemployed workers;
                                  (V) individuals, including 
                                at-risk youth, seeking 
                                employment pathways out of 
                                poverty and into economic self-
                                sufficiency; and
                                  (VI) formerly incarcerated, 
                                adjudicated, non-violent 
                                offenders;
                          (ii) energy efficiency and renewable 
                        energy industries eligible to 
                        participate in a program under this 
                        subsection include--
                                  (I) the energy-efficient 
                                building, construction, and 
                                retrofits industries;
                                  (II) the renewable electric 
                                power industry;
                                  (III) the energy efficient 
                                and advanced drive train 
                                vehicle industry;
                                  (IV) the biofuels industry;
                                  (V) the deconstruction and 
                                materials use industries;
                                  (VI) the energy efficiency 
                                assessment industry serving the 
                                residential, commercial, or 
                                industrial sectors; and
                                  (VII) manufacturers that 
                                produce sustainable products 
                                using environmentally 
                                sustainable processes and 
                                materials.
          (2) Activities.--
                  (A) National research program.--Under the 
                program established under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary, acting through the Bureau of Labor 
                Statistics, where appropriate, shall collect 
                and analyze labor market data to track 
                workforce trends resulting from energy-related 
                initiatives carried out under this subsection. 
                Activities carried out under this paragraph 
                shall include--
                          (i) tracking and documentation of 
                        academic and occupational competencies 
                        as well as future skill needs with 
                        respect to renewable energy and energy 
                        efficiency technology;
                          (ii) tracking and documentation of 
                        occupational information and workforce 
                        training data with respect to renewable 
                        energy and energy efficiency 
                        technology;
                          (iii) collaborating with State 
                        agencies, workforce investments boards, 
                        industry, organized labor, and 
                        community and nonprofit organizations 
                        to disseminate information on 
                        successful innovations for labor market 
                        services and worker training with 
                        respect to renewable energy and energy 
                        efficiency technology;
                          (iv) serving as a clearinghouse for 
                        best practices in workforce 
                        development, job placement, and 
                        collaborative training partnerships;
                          (v) promoting the establishment of 
                        workforce training initiatives with 
                        respect to renewable energy and energy 
                        efficiency technologies; and
                          (vi) linking research and development 
                        in renewable energy and energy 
                        efficiency technology with the 
                        development of standards and curricula 
                        for current and future jobs;
                          (vii) assessing new employment and 
                        work practices including career ladder 
                        and upgrade training as well as high 
                        performance work systems;
                          (viii) providing technical assistance 
                        and capacity building to national and 
                        state energy partnerships, including 
                        industry and labor representatives.
                  (B) National energy training partnership 
                grants.--
                          (i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the 
                        Secretary shall award National Energy 
                        Training Partnerships Grants on a 
                        competitive basis to eligible entities 
                        to enable such entities to carry out 
                        training that leads to economic self-
                        sufficiency and to develop an energy 
                        efficiency and renewable energy 
                        industries workforce. Grants shall be 
                        awarded under this subparagraph so as 
                        to ensure geographic diversity with at 
                        least 2 grants awarded to entities 
                        located in each of the 4 Petroleum 
                        Administration for Defense Districts 
                        with no subdistricts, and at least 1 
                        grant awarded to an entity located in 
                        each of the subdistricts of the 
                        Petroleum Administration for Defense 
                        District with subdistricts, as such 
                        districts are established by the 
                        Secretary of Energy.
                          (ii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant under clause (i), an 
                        entity shall be a non-profit 
                        partnership that--
                                  (I) includes the equal 
                                participation of industry, 
                                including public or private 
                                employers, and labor 
                                organizations, including joint 
                                labor-management training 
                                programs, and may include 
                                workforce investment boards, 
                                community-based organizations, 
                                educational institutions, small 
                                businesses, cooperatives, State 
                                and local veterans agencies, 
                                and veterans service 
                                organizations; and
                                  (II) demonstrates--
                                          (aa) experience in 
                                        implementing and 
                                        operating worker skills 
                                        training and education 
                                        programs;
                                          (bb) the ability to 
                                        identify and involve in 
                                        training programs 
                                        carried out under this 
                                        grant, target 
                                        populations of workers 
                                        who would benefit from 
                                        activities related to 
                                        energy efficiency and 
                                        renewable energy 
                                        industries; and
                                          (cc) the ability to 
                                        help workers achieve 
                                        economic self-
                                        sufficiency.
                          (iii) Priority.--Priority shall be 
                        given to partnerships which leverage 
                        additional public and private resources 
                        to fund training programs, including 
                        cash or in-kind matches from 
                        participating employers.
                  (C) State labor market research, information, 
                and labor exchange research program.--
                          (i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the 
                        Secretary shall award competitive 
                        grants to States to enable such States 
                        to administer labor market and labor 
                        exchange information programs that 
                        include the implementation of the 
                        activities described in clause (ii), in 
                        coordination with the one-stop delivery 
                        system.
                          (ii) Activities.--A State shall use 
                        amounts awarded under a grant under 
                        this subparagraph to provide funding to 
                        the State agency that administers the 
                        Wagner-Peyser Act and State 
                        unemployment compensation programs to 
                        carry out the following activities 
                        using State agency merit staff:
                                  (I) The identification of job 
                                openings in the renewable 
                                energy and energy efficiency 
                                sector.
                                  (II) The administration of 
                                skill and aptitude testing and 
                                assessment for workers.
                                  (III) The counseling, case 
                                management, and referral of 
                                qualified job seekers to 
                                openings and training programs, 
                                including energy efficiency and 
                                renewable energy training 
                                programs.
                  (D) State energy training partnership 
                program.--
                          (i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the 
                        Secretary shall award competitive 
                        grants to States to enable such States 
                        to administer renewable energy and 
                        energy efficiency workforce development 
                        programs that include the 
                        implementation of the activities 
                        described in clause (ii).
                          (ii) Partnerships.--A State shall use 
                        amounts awarded under a grant under 
                        this subparagraph to award competitive 
                        grants to eligible State Energy Sector 
                        Partnerships to enable such 
                        Partnerships to coordinate with 
                        existing apprenticeship and labor 
                        management training programs and 
                        implement training programs that lead 
                        to the economic self-sufficiency of 
                        trainees.
                          (iii) Eligibility.--To be eligible to 
                        receive a grant under this 
                        subparagraph, a State Energy Sector 
                        Partnership shall--
                                  (I) consist of non-profit 
                                organizations that include 
                                equal participation from 
                                industry, including public or 
                                private nonprofit employers, 
                                and labor organizations, 
                                including joint labor-
                                management training programs, 
                                and may include representatives 
                                from local governments, the 
                                workforce investment system, 
                                including worker investment 
                                agency one-stop career centers, 
                                community based organizations, 
                                community colleges, and other 
                                post-secondary institutions, 
                                small businesses, cooperatives, 
                                State and local veterans 
                                agencies, and veterans service 
                                organizations;
                                  (II) demonstrate experience 
                                in implementing and operating 
                                worker skills training and 
                                education programs; and
                                  (III) demonstrate the ability 
                                to identify and involve in 
                                training programs, target 
                                populations of workers who 
                                would benefit from activities 
                                related to energy efficiency 
                                and renewable energy 
                                industries.
                          (iv) Priority.--In awarding grants 
                        under this subparagraph, the Secretary 
                        shall give priority to States that 
                        demonstrate that activities under the 
                        grant--
                                  (I) meet national energy 
                                policies associated with energy 
                                efficiency, renewable energy, 
                                and the reduction of emissions 
                                of greenhouse gases;
                                  (II) meet State energy 
                                policies associated with energy 
                                efficiency, renewable energy, 
                                and the reduction of emissions 
                                of greenhouse gases; and
                                  (III) leverage additional 
                                public and private resources to 
                                fund training programs, 
                                including cash or in-kind 
                                matches from participating 
                                employers.
                          (v) Coordination.--A grantee under 
                        this subparagraph shall coordinate 
                        activities carried out under the grant 
                        with existing other appropriate 
                        training programs, including 
                        apprenticeship and labor management 
                        training programs, and implement 
                        training programs that lead to the 
                        economic self-sufficiency of trainees.
                  (E) Pathways out of poverty demonstration 
                program.--
                          (i) In general.--Under the program 
                        established under paragraph (1), the 
                        Secretary shall award at least 10 
                        competitive grants to eligible entities 
                        to enable such entities to carry out 
                        training that leads to economic self-
                        sufficiency. The Secretary shall give 
                        priority to entities that serve 
                        individuals in families with income of 
                        less than 200 percent of the poverty 
                        threshold (as determined by the Bureau 
                        of the Census) or a self-sufficiency 
                        standard for the local areas where the 
                        training is conducted that specifies 
                        the income needs of families, by family 
                        size, the number and ages of children 
                        in the family, and sub-State 
                        geographical considerations. Grants 
                        shall be awards to ensure geographic 
                        diversity.
                          (ii) Eligible entities.--To be 
                        eligible to receive a grant an entity 
                        shall be a partnership that--
                                  (I) includes community-based 
                                non-profit organizations, 
                                educational institutions with 
                                expertise in serving low-income 
                                adults or youth, public or 
                                private employers from the 
                                industry sectors described in 
                                paragraph (1)(B)(ii), and labor 
                                organizations representing 
                                workers in such industry 
                                sectors;
                                  (II) demonstrates experience 
                                in implementing and operating 
                                worker skills training and 
                                education programs;
                                  (III) coordinates activities, 
                                where appropriate, with the 
                                workforce investment system; 
                                and
                                  (IV) demonstrates the ability 
                                to recruit individuals for 
                                training and to support such 
                                individuals to successful 
                                completion in training programs 
                                carried out under this grant, 
                                targeting populations of 
                                workers who are or will be 
                                engaged in activities related 
                                to energy efficiency and 
                                renewable energy industries.
                          (iii) Priorities.--In awarding grants 
                        under this paragraph, the Secretary 
                        shall give priority to applicants 
                        that--
                                  (I) target programs to 
                                benefit low-income workers, 
                                unemployed youth and adults, 
                                high school dropouts, or other 
                                underserved sectors of the 
                                workforce within areas of high 
                                poverty;
                                  (II) ensure that supportive 
                                services are integrated with 
                                education and training, and 
                                delivered by organizations with 
                                direct access to and experience 
                                with targeted populations;
                                  (III) leverage additional 
                                public and private resources to 
                                fund training programs, 
                                including cash or in-kind 
                                matches from participating 
                                employers;
                                  (IV) involve employers and 
                                labor organizations in the 
                                determination of relevant 
                                skills and competencies and 
                                ensure that the certificates or 
                                credentials that result from 
                                the training are employer-
                                recognized;
                                  (V) deliver courses at 
                                alternative times (such as 
                                evening and weekend programs) 
                                and locations most convenient 
                                and accessible to participants; 
                                and
                                  (VI) link adult remedial 
                                education with occupational 
                                skills training.
                          (iv) Data collection.--Grantees shall 
                        collect and report the following 
                        information:
                                  (I) The number of 
                                participants.
                                  (II) The demographic 
                                characteristics of 
                                participants, including race, 
                                gender, age, parenting status, 
                                participation in other Federal 
                                programs, education and 
                                literacy level at entry, 
                                significant barriers to 
                                employment (such as limited 
                                English proficiency, criminal 
                                record, addiction or mental 
                                health problem requiring 
                                treatment, or mental 
                                disability).
                                  (III) The services received 
                                by participants, including 
                                training, education, and 
                                supportive services.
                                  (IV) The amount of program 
                                spending per participant.
                                  (V) Program completion rates.
                                  (VI) Factors determined as 
                                significantly interfering with 
                                program participation or 
                                completion.
                                  (VII) The rate of Job 
                                placement and the rate of 
                                employment retention after 1 
                                year.
                                  (VIII) The average wage at 
                                placement, including any 
                                benefits, and the rate of 
                                average wage increase after 1 
                                year.
                                  (IX) Any post-employment 
                                supportive services provided.
                        The Secretary shall assist grantees in 
                        the collection of data under this 
                        clause by making available, where 
                        practicable, low-cost means of tracking 
                        the labor market outcomes of 
                        participants, and by providing 
                        standardized reporting forms, where 
                        appropriate.
          (3) Activities.--
                  (A) In general.--Activities to be carried out 
                under a program authorized by subparagraphs 
                (B), (D), or (E) of paragraph (2) shall be 
                coordinated with existing systems or providers, 
                as appropriate. Such activities may include--
                          (i) occupational skills training, 
                        including curriculum development, on-
                        the-job training, and classroom 
                        training;
                          (ii) safety and health training;
                          (iii) the provision of basic skills, 
                        literacy, GED, English as a second 
                        language, and job readiness training;
                          (iv) individual referral and tuition 
                        assistance for a community college 
                        training program, or any training 
                        program leading to an industry-
                        recognized certificate;
                          (v) internship programs in fields 
                        related to energy efficiency and 
                        renewable energy;
                          (vi) customized training in 
                        conjunction with an existing registered 
                        apprenticeship program or labor-
                        management partnership;
                          (vii) career ladder and upgrade 
                        training;
                          (viii) the implementation of 
                        transitional jobs strategies; and
                          (ix) the provision of supportive 
                        services.
                  (B) Outreach activities.--In addition to the 
                activities authorized under subparagraph (A), 
                activities authorized for programs under 
                subparagraphs (D) or (E) of paragraph (2) may 
                include the provision of outreach, recruitment, 
                career guidance, and case management services.
          (4) Worker protections and nondiscrimination 
        requirements.--
                  (A) Application of wia.--The provisions of 
                sections 181 and 188 of the Workforce 
                Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2931 and 
                2938) shall apply to all programs carried out 
                with assistance under this subsection.
                  (B) Consultation with labor organizations.--
                If a labor organization represents a 
                substantial number of workers who are engaged 
                in similar work or training in an area that is 
                the same as the area that is proposed to be 
                funded under this Act, the labor organization 
                shall be provided an opportunity to be 
                consulted and to submit comments in regard to 
                such a proposal.
          (5) Performance measures.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                negotiate and reach agreement with the eligible 
                entities that receive grants and assistance 
                under this section on performance measures for 
                the indicators of performance referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) and (B) of section 136(b)(2) 
                that will be used to evaluate the performance 
                of the eligible entity in carrying out the 
                activities described in subsection (e)(2). Each 
                State and local performance measure shall 
                consist of such an indicator of performance, 
                and a performance level referred to in 
                subparagraph (B).
                  (B) Performance levels.--The Secretary shall 
                negotiate and reach agreement with the eligible 
                entity regarding the levels of performance 
                expected to be achieved by the eligible entity 
                on the indicators of performance.
          (6) Report.--
                  (A) Status report.--Not later than 18 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Green Jobs 
                Act of 2007, the Secretary shall transmit a 
                report to Congress on the training program 
                established by this subsection. The report 
                shall include a description of the entities 
                receiving funding and the activities carried 
                out by such entities.
                  (B) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after 
                the date of enactment of such Act, the 
                Secretary shall transmit to Congress an 
                assessment of such program and an evaluation of 
                the activities carried out by entities 
                receiving funding from such program.
          (7) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term 
        ``renewable energy'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 203(b)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
        (Public Law 109-58).
          (8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection, $125,000,000 for each fiscal years, of 
        which--
                  (A) not to exceed 20 percent of the amount 
                appropriated in each such fiscal year shall be 
                made available for, and shall be equally 
                divided between, national labor market research 
                and information under paragraph (2)(A) and 
                State labor market information and labor 
                exchange research under paragraph (2)(C), and 
                not more than 2 percent of such amount shall be 
                for the evaluation and report required under 
                paragraph (4);
                  (B) 20 percent shall be dedicated to Pathways 
                Out of Poverty Demonstration Programs under 
                paragraph (2)(E); and
                  (C) the remainder shall be divided equally 
                between National Energy Partnership Training 
                Grants under paragraph (2)(B) and State energy 
                training partnership grants under paragraph 
                (2)(D).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                             MINORITY VIEWS

    Republican Members of the House Committee on Education and 
Labor are committed to strengthening the workforce and ensuring 
the responsible use of energy and encouraging the use of energy 
efficiency and renewable energy. However, we do not believe 
that it is necessary to create the proposed new program in 
order to accomplish these goals.
    H.R. 2847, the Green Jobs Act of 2007, creates a new 
program under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) pilot and 
demonstration authority in order to provide training for 
workers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy fields. 
The bill authorizes three kinds of activities: research 
programs at both the State and national levels; partnership 
grant programs at both the State and national levels; and a 
demonstration program to help build the economic self-
sufficiency of participants.
    Success in training and retraining workers is at the heart 
of our country's ability to remain competitive in the global 
economy, and our federal job training programs are central 
components of that effort. In 1998, Members of both parties 
enacted WIA to establish a system of one-stop career centers 
aimed at providing one convenient, central location to offer 
job training and related employment services. While those 
reforms were generally successful, the WIA system is still 
hampered by often unnecessary bureaucracy that prevents it from 
being as effective as it could be for workers and their 
families.
    In the last Congress, this Committee and the House voted to 
further streamline and consolidate workforce development 
programs. We did so because program overlap and duplication has 
contributed to a still-confusing patchwork of services at the 
State and local level, squandering resources and reducing the 
funding available for job training and related services. 
Committee Republicans believe that H.R. 2847 adds to the 
duplicative nature of our workforce development programs, 
marking a significant step backwards in our effort to 
streamline the delivery of job training services.

                History of the Workforce Investment Act

    In 1998, under the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce's leadership, Congress passed the Workforce 
Investment Act in order to reform the nation's job training 
system that had been fragmented, contained overlapping 
programs, and did not serve either job seekers or employers 
well. WIA consolidated and integrated employment and training 
services at the local level in a more unified workforce 
development system.
    The Act created three funding streams to provide for adult 
employment and training services, dislocated workers' 
employment and training services, and youth development 
services. These services are directed by local, business-led 
workforce investment boards.
    One of the hallmarks of the system is that, in order to 
encourage the development of comprehensive systems that improve 
services to both employers and job seekers, local services are 
provided through a one-stop delivery system. At the one-stop 
centers, assistance ranges from core services such as job 
search and placement assistance, access to job listings, and an 
initial assessment of skills and needs; intensive services such 
as comprehensive assessments and case management; and, if 
needed, occupational skills training. In addition, to further 
promote a seamless system of services for job seekers and 
employers, numerous other federal programs also must make their 
services available through the one-stop system.
    Since passage of the bill and implementation by the U.S. 
Department of Labor, States and local areas have created 
comprehensive services and effective one-stop delivery systems. 
The system is serving the needs of unemployed workers seeking 
new jobs in this time of economic growth. In addition, the 
training services provided through WIA are invaluable in 
helping employers find the workers they need in areas of the 
country facing skill shortages.
    Strengthening and improving our nation's workforce 
development programs that help Americans get back to work is 
essential in this time of economic growth. Even during times of 
growth, many individuals need training to find new or better 
jobs in our knowledge-based economy. We know that the majority 
of jobs and career fields require at least some postsecondary 
education and training to succeed.
    While Committee Republicans believe that WIA has gone a 
long way to streamlining the needs of the nation's workforce, 
it is essential that Congress remove barriers in current law 
that hamper workers in their efforts to take full advantage of 
the assistance WIA offers, rather than creating new, 
cumbersome, and duplicative programs.

                     H.R. 2847, The Green Jobs Act

    Today, rather than moving WIA forward, H.R. 2847 would add 
to the duplicative nature of our workforce development 
programs, marking a significant step backwards in our effort to 
streamline the delivery of job training services. While 
Committee Republicans strongly support State and local efforts 
to train individuals for careers in energy sectors, we do not 
agree with the creation of a new stand-alone, job training 
program.
    We strongly object to the fact that local workforce 
investment systems, which represent large and small businesses 
that actually have the jobs to offer, have little to no role in 
the training programs established under this legislation while 
the bill allows labor unions to assume a major role through 
legislated training partnerships and in required consultation 
of potential grant proposals, Currently, one-stop centers, the 
hallmark of the WIA legislation, perform much of the work 
proposed in the State research grants provision of H.R. 2847. 
However, one-stop centers are denied access to these grants 
under this bill. Instead of using the very well-established 
workforce system, the bill allocates funding for the State 
labor market research program directly to the Employment 
Service, which means that counseling, case management, and 
skills assessment activities for the energy sector can only be 
carried out by State agency employees. The proposed structure 
would create further division between the State bureaucracy and 
the local one-stop centers,
    In addition, the program duplicates assistance programs 
that are already available to help train workers. Specifically, 
the workforce investment system currently addresses the needs 
of the energy industry through: (1) the WIA formula grant 
programs; (2) the High-Growth Job Training Initiative; (3) the 
Community-Based Job Training Initiative; and (4) the Workforce 
Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative. 
Under the bill, the U.S. Department of Labor would also be 
required to establish a national research program that would 
include eight specific activities. These activities, such as 
serving as a clearinghouse for best practices, are already 
conducted by the Department under other authorities; adding 
further duplication and complication of those activities.
    The eligible entities, target population, and authorized 
activities defined in the training partnership program and the 
``Pathways Out of Poverty Demonstration Program'' are also 
duplicative of the services currently authorized under the WIA 
formula programs. Committee Republicans believe that a focus on 
renewable energy and ``green jobs'' is important, but it is not 
necessary to create an entirely new workforce training system 
and structure to do so when we already have an effective 
workforce development system in place.

                        Committee Consideration

    Due to an effort to meet an arbitrary deadline set by the 
House leadership, H.R. 2847 was not considered under the normal 
Committee processes and was not afforded the proper opportunity 
for review and comment. Hearings were not held on the 
legislation, stakeholders had little or no time to review it, 
and the bill was purposely crafted outside the WIA 
reauthorization process. The proposed program should have been 
considered through the appropriate venues, which would have 
allowed for necessary stakeholder input. Instead, this measure 
will get lost in a multi-jurisdictional legislative package.
    If hearings had been held on this legislation, Committee 
Republicans would have sought to discover the rationale for 
giving non-violent criminals priority for training under the 
bill. We also would have questioned why the successful one-stop 
program was circumvented through an entirely new and separate 
line of programs. Committee Republicans would have asked why 
labor unions are given special treatment under this bill, when 
the local workforce investment boards and the business 
community, those who provide high paying and high skilled jobs, 
have significantly reduced roles. And finally, Members should 
have had the opportunity to question why energy-related jobs 
were singled out when our nation needs additional nurses, more 
skilled auto workers, and new workers in a variety of other 
fields mired in heavy global competition.

     Enhancing the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Workforce

    Committee Republicans support efforts to expand the energy 
efficient and renewable energy workforce so that the energy 
industry remains an important and critical part of our nation's 
economic prosperity. However, we do not believe that it is 
necessary to create a new program in order to address this 
need. We feel that the Committee should have worked within the 
current system, established through WIA, to address our 
changing workforce. The key features of the Workforce 
Investment Act are the adaptability and flexibility it offers 
to answer our changing workforce needs. Congress spent years 
creating the system so that it would not be necessary to create 
a new program every time it wanted to focus on increased job 
training for a specific industry.
    To this end, during consideration of H.R. 2847, Committee 
Republicans supported an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, offered by Congressman Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon 
(R-CA), the Senior Republican on the Committee, which worked 
through the existing workforce investment system to give State 
and local programs specific authority to carry out training in 
the energy efficiency and renewable energy industry.
    The amendment would have used the well-established 
workforce investment system to allow States and local workforce 
investment boards to establish worker training programs for 
energy efficiency and renewable energy workforce through 
eligible partnerships. Local workforce investment boards would 
have been empowered to award competitive grants to entities in 
the one-stop delivery system to identify job openings, 
administer aptitude testing, and provide counseling and 
referral services for jobseekers in the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy sector.
    The amendment also would have also strengthened current WIA 
research initiatives to include energy efficiency and renewable 
energy training by allowing for the collection of labor market 
data from this specific sector, allowing the U.S. Department of 
Labor to track workforce trends, including occupational 
competencies, and promoting energy sector worker training 
initiatives resulting from energy-related initiatives.
    While Committee Republicans are not in favor of creating a 
new program to address the needs of the energy efficiency and 
renewable energy efficiency workforce, we also feel that the 
program neglects certain essential industries. Nearly 37 years 
have passed since the last nuclear power plant was sited in the 
United States. The last new reactor in America took 26 years 
alone to site and build (The Watts Bar-1 reactor, ordered in 
1970 and licensed to operate in 1996, was the most recent U.S. 
nuclear unit to be completed). Nuclear energy is one of the 
most efficient and renewable energy sources our country should 
be promoting. As electric power demand increases to keep pace 
with technology and productivity gains, America needs to build 
more nuclear generating capacity. We need to increase U.S. 
generation by some 40 percent in the next two decades just to 
meet growing demand.
    Building new nuclear power plants requires highly skilled 
labor and most of those highly skilled construction workers are 
now retired. One of the most severe limitations on our ability 
to increase nuclear generation is the lack of trained workers 
in the specialized areas such as nuclear pipe fitting, wiring, 
steel erection and concrete construction. America needs a new 
generation trained for these high skill, high paying jobs.
    In addition to training workers in the nuclear field, new 
technology advances to increase energy production without 
negatively impacting the environment--such as coal-to-liquid 
technology--equally require worker training. It is estimated 
that America controls, at today's consumption levels, 
approximately 210-year supply of energy drawn from coal. This 
is extremely significant considering we now have the technology 
to burn coal with little to no NOX, SOX or mercury. 
Technologies are advancing that will turn coal into a clean 
burning fuel for our transportation sector promoting our energy 
independence. A new worker training bill to expand energy jobs 
in America is incomplete without these industries.
    In view of these needs, Congressman McKeon offered an 
amendment to expand the industries that may be eligible to 
participate in the new energy efficiency and renewable energy 
worker training program. Specifically, the amendment sought to 
add the nuclear and coal-to-liquid industries. This amendment 
was supported by Committee Republicans it was rejected on a 
party line vote during Committee consideration.
    Committee Republicans also supported an amendment, offered 
by Charles Boustany (R-LA) that would have worked to avoid 
program duplication by sunsetting the new program after five 
years. While the Amendment was rejected on a party line vote, 
Committee Republicans believe that the review required by Mr. 
Boustany's sunset clause would have gone a long way to ensuring 
the program was efficient and maintained effectiveness.

    Involvement of the Workforce Investment System and the Business 
                               Community

    H.R. 2847, the Green Jobs Act, requires eligible energy 
partnerships to apply for grants under the new national and 
State training programs and the new demonstration program for 
self-sufficiency. While industry and labor organizations are 
required partners under the partnership, the workforce 
investment system, which comprises the very entities 
responsible for tailoring WIA programs to the specific needs of 
local communities, is not.
    As such, Committee Republicans supported an amendment 
offered by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) requiring the 
involvement of the workforce investment system in all energy 
partnerships under the bill in order to ensure that those 
performing the needed training have complete knowledge of all 
local workforce needs. The amendment would have also allowed 
funding under the State research program to go to local one-
stop centers in order to provide the strongest array of 
services to energy sector workers. H.R. 2847 requires funding 
for the program to be funneled directly to State bureaucracies.
    The proposed bill also provides for labor organizations to 
be consulted on, and submit comments regarding, proposals under 
the legislation, if the proposed grant area has a sizeable 
number of workers represented by the labor organizations and 
engaged in work or training in that area. Labor organizations 
are the only group afforded this luxury in the bill language, 
which specifically excludes business and community groups. The 
amendment would have ensured that the business community was 
consulted in and afforded the opportunity to comment on grant 
proposals that would affect local industries in order to ensure 
that those grant programs best target local workforce needs.
    The amendment was withdrawn with the understanding that the 
Majority will support language to include consultation with the 
business community.

                               Conclusion

    Committee Republicans believe that the current workforce 
system established under WIA needs to be updated; however, the 
new program created under this bill duplicates current 
workforce efforts. While the energy efficiency and renewable 
energy fields are important to our nation's economic growth, 
working outside of WIA only makes our current system more 
cumbersome and bureaucratic and reduces the odds that workers 
will be able to actually find good paying long-term jobs in 
these industries. We have concerns over the bill's provisions 
that needlessly benefit labor unions and the government 
bureaucracy over a business-led workforce investment system. We 
believe that those provisions, as well as others duplicating 
job training assistance currently offered, will continue to 
hamper our workforce investment system when, during the last 
Congress, we made such significant progress towards 
streamlining and consolidating the existing system. It is our 
hope that we can work toward strengthening the workforce system 
and ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer resources through 
modifications to the workforce investment system established in 
WIA, not through new programs that duplicate efforts already 
under way.

                                   Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon.
                                   Thomas E. Petri.
                                   Peter Hoekstra.
                                   Mark E. Souder.
                                   Judy Biggert.
                                   Todd Russell Platts.
                                   Ric Keller.
                                   Joe Wilson.
                                   John Kline.
                                   Kenny Marchant.
                                   Luis G. Fortuno.
                                   Charles W. Boustany, Jr.
                                   Virginia Foxx.
                                   John R. ``Randy'' Kuhl, Jr.
                                   Rob Bishop.
                                   David Davis.
                                   Timothy Walberg.
                                   Dean Heller.

                                  
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