Clean Energy Workforce Act

Summary#

This bill creates two competitive grant programs run by the Secretary of Energy. One set of grants pays eligible partnerships to develop or expand career and technical education programs focused on clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate solutions. Eligible partnerships must include at least one local school or career-technical school, at least one postsecondary institution, and community representatives such as business and labor. Applications must describe secondary and postsecondary components, how programs will be delivered and shared with other schools, how they will reach students from different backgrounds, and evidence of local job needs.

The second set of grants pays eligible education entities (local education agencies, career and technical schools, educational service agencies, postsecondary institutions, or consortia) to evaluate and improve career and technical education facilities so they are energy efficient and use renewable energy practices. Funds may be used for evaluations, stakeholder planning, construction or upgrades, buying energy-efficient equipment used for hands-on teaching, and sharing lessons with other entities.

A peer review committee of career and technical educators and renewable energy industry experts will help recommend grantees. The bill defines covered fields (clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate mitigation, and adaptation) and authorizes $100,000,000 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Act.

What it means for you#

  • Students: Schools could offer new or expanded career and technical programs that teach skills for jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency.
  • Schools and colleges: Eligible institutions can apply for grants to create programs, buy teaching equipment, or make facilities more energy efficient.
  • Employers and labor: Local businesses and labor groups are included in partnerships and may help shape training to meet local job needs.
  • Communities: The law aims to make programs accessible to students from different backgrounds and to share program models with other schools, including rural and urban areas.

Expenses#

  • The bill authorizes $100,000,000 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the Act.
  • Grants are to be awarded from amounts appropriated under this authorization.
  • No publicly available information on specific grant amounts, program-level funding breakdowns, or expected cost to other levels of government.

Proponents' View#

  • Sponsors introduced the bill to develop career and technical education programs and improve training facilities in clean and renewable energy fields, with the goal of preparing students for related careers and making facilities energy efficient. The bill requires partnerships with education, industry, and community representatives and emphasizes access for diverse and underserved student groups.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.