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Title V — Energy Workforce Transition and Training

H.R. 7516 · 116th Congress · Jul 9, 2020 · Lineage

V Energy Workforce Transition and Training

Sec. 500 Purposes

The purposes of this title are to provide for a transition to a modern energy system, including by ensuring that—
(1)
the United States has a workforce prepared to address the needs of the modern energy system;
(2)
workers in declining energy sectors and in disenfranchised communities acquire well-paying jobs in growing energy sectors; and
(3)
communities, especially those that are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and other pollution, can be made resilient to the impacts of climate change.

A State Energy Plans

Sec. 501 State energy plans

(a)
In general— Section 362(d) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6322(d)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (16), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon;
(2)
by redesignating paragraph (17) as paragraph (18); and
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (16) the following:

“(17) a State energy plan developed in accordance with section 367; and”

(b)
State energy plans— Part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“367. State energy plans

“(a) In general—The Secretary may provide financial assistance to a State to develop a State energy plan, for inclusion in a State energy conservation plan under section 362(d), to provide for—

“(1) the elimination of net greenhouse gas emissions;

“(2) improved air and water quality; and

“(3) conservation of natural resources.

“(b) Contents—A State developing a State energy plan under this section shall include in such plan, measures to—

“(1) ensure that the full social cost of carbon pollution is factored into decision-making associated with electricity generation and utility investments in energy efficiency and electric vehicle infrastructure;

“(2) promote investments in a distribution system that takes advantage of technology advancement and supports reduced pollution, consumer choice, and a resilient and reliable system;

“(3) address the need to site transmission lines and new electricity generating units efficiently;

“(4) evaluate the role of existing resources as part of utility planning to accelerate the transition to low-cost carbon emissions reductions;

“(5) engage with regional partners to explore the potential benefits of regional markets;

“(6) support utility leadership in its efforts to transition to sources of electricity that result in net zero greenhouse gas emissions;

“(7) support infrastructure upgrades and smart grid investments to improve system-wide efficiency;

“(8) support building codes for new and retrofitted buildings that promote the energy efficiency of buildings and the electric grid;

“(9) support improved appliance efficiency standards;

“(10) support investments in electric vehicle infrastructure in ways that will ensure a more efficient grid and greater adoption of electric vehicles, including in rural areas;

“(11) support workforce and economic transition planning for communities impacted by a changing energy landscape, as informed by the Energy Workforce Transition Plan developed under section 512 of the Clean Energy Innovation and Deployment Act of 2020, and the pilot program developed under section 523 of such Act;

“(12) consider the human health and environmental impacts of energy development and climate change on low-income and underserved populations, including rural communities, communities of color, children, the elderly, and sick; and

“(13) develop strategies to support local clean energy goals facilitating utility-community cooperation and private sector partnerships.

“(c) Coordination—In developing a State energy plan under this section, a State shall coordinate, as appropriate, with—

“(1) State regulatory authorities (as defined in section 3 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978);

“(2) electric utilities;

“(3) Regional Transmission Organizations (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power Act) and Independent System Operators (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Power Act);

“(4) private entities;

“(5) State agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governments;

“(6) the Energy Workforce Transition Office established by section 512 of the Clean Energy Innovation and Deployment Act of 2020;

“(7) relevant public and private entities; and

“(8) labor organizations, such as those representing workers in the construction, manufacturing, or energy sectors.

“(d) Technical assistance—Upon request of the Governor of a State, the Secretary shall provide information and technical assistance in the development, implementation, or revision of a State energy plan.”

Sec. 502 Authorization of appropriations

(a)
State energy conservation plans— Section 365(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6325(f)) is amended to read as follows:

“(f) Authorization of appropriations

“(1) State energy conservation plans—For the purpose of carrying out this part, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

“(2) State energy plans—In addition to the amounts authorized under paragraph (1), for the purpose of carrying out section 367, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.”

(b)
Transportation electrification— Section 131 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17011) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b)(6), by striking “2008 through 2012” and inserting “2022 through 2026”; and
(2)
in subsection (c)(4), by striking “2008 through 2013” and inserting “2022 through 2026”.

B Energy Workforce Transition

Sec. 511 Definitions

In this subtitle:
(1)
Advisory committee— The term Advisory Committee means the Energy Workforce Transition Advisory Committee established by section 512(d).
(2)
Coal-related facility— The term coal-related facility includes a coal mine or a coal-fueled electric generating facility.
(3)
Coal-related industrial facility— The term coal-related industrial facility includes a facility in the manufacturing and transportation supply chains of a coal-related facility.
(4)
Director— The term Director means the Director of the Office.
(5)
Disproportionately impacted community— The term disproportionately impacted community means any community of color, low-to-middle income community, or indigenous community that is or has been disproportionately impacted by energy-related pollution.
(6)
Energy transition community— The term energy transition community means a municipality, county, region, or Indian Tribe that has been affected since calendar year 2008 or later, or that demonstrates it will be impacted in the next 36 months, by the loss of 50 or more jobs in total as a result of the closure of a coal-related facility, a coal-related industrial facility, or another type of energy-related entity, as determined by the Office.
(7)
Energy transition worker— The term energy transition worker means a worker, including workers employed by contractors or subcontractors, terminated, laid off from employment, or whose work hours have been reduced, on or after the date of enactment of this Act, from a coal-related facility, coal-related industrial facility, or other energy-related entity.
(8)
Energy Workforce Transition Plan— The term Energy Workforce Transition Plan means the plan developed under section 512(d).
(9)
Labor organization— The term labor organization has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152).
(10)
Office— The term Office means the Energy Workforce Transition Office established by section 512.
(11)
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
(12)
Wage differential benefit— The term wage differential benefit means the difference between the wages and other benefits provided by—
(A)
a worker’s wages and benefits earned in a coal-related facility, coal-related industrial-facility, or other energy-related entity on the day before the worker is terminated, laid off, or given a reduction in work-hours; and
(B)
the worker’s current wages and benefits, if any, after such a termination, lay-off, or reduction in work-hours.

Sec. 512 Energy Workforce Transition Office and Advisory Committee

(a)
Establishment— There is hereby established within the Department of Energy an office to be known as the Energy Workforce Transition Office.
(b)
Exemption from reorganization— The Office shall be exempt from the reorganization authority provided under section 643 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7253).
(c)
Director— The Secretary shall appoint as the head of the Office a Director, who shall manage the operations of the Office.
(d)
Duties of the Office— The duties of the Office shall be to—
(1)
identify or estimate, to the extent practicable, with respect to the period that begins on the date of enactment of this Act and ends on January 1, 2030—
(A)
the timing and location of facility closures and job terminations or layoffs in coal-related facilities, coal-related industrial-facilities, and other energy-related entities; and
(B)
the impact of such terminations, layoffs, or reduced work-hours on affected workers (including those employed by a contractor or subcontractor), businesses, and energy transition communities; and
(2)
provide administrative, logistical, research, and policy support and recommendations to the Advisory Committee.
(e)
Energy workforce transition advisory committee—
(1)
Establishment— There is hereby established an advisory committee, to be known as the Energy Workforce Transition Advisory Committee.
(2)
Energy Workforce Transition Plan—
(A)
In general— The Advisory Committee shall develop and finalize a plan, to be known as the Energy Workforce Transition Plan.
(B)
Purpose— The purpose of the Energy Workforce Transition Plan is to identify, align, and streamline resources to assist workers and communities impacted by the transition to a clean energy economy.
(C)
Public meetings— In developing the Energy Workforce Transition Plan, the Advisory Committee shall hold no less than 4 public meetings in energy-transition communities, with opportunities for members of the public to provide input.
(D)
Contents— The Energy Workforce Transition Plan shall include—
(i)
a description of the challenges that energy transition communities encounter, including challenges associated with economic and employment transition, and challenges particular to certain regions;
(ii)
a description of benefits, grants, and other sources of funding to address the challenges described under clause (i) that may be accessed from Federal, State, local, and other sources without additional legislative authority or approval;
(iii)
a description of sources of funding to address the challenges described under clause (i) that require additional legislative authority or approval;
(iv)
recommendations for aligning local, State, Federal, and other resources to invest in energy transition communities and energy transition workers;
(v)
recommendations for establishing benefits for energy transition workers, including consideration of—
(I)
benefits similar in type, amount, and duration to Federal benefits that are not otherwise available to all energy transition workers;
(II)
wage differential benefits for energy transition workers, including consideration of eligibility and the duration of the benefits; and
(III)
collaboration with existing or future employers of energy transition workers and relevant labor organizations, to inform energy transition workers how to apply for wage differential and other eligible benefits;
(vi)
recommendations for grants and other programmatic support for energy transition communities and entities that support energy transition communities, including—
(I)
counties, municipalities, cities, or other political subdivisions of a State;
(II)
Indian Tribes;
(III)
apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), that meet the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on December 30, 2019;
(IV)
institutions of higher education; and
(V)
public or private nonprofit organizations or associations;
(vii)
recommendations for establishing community transition resource centers in energy transition communities, in order to provide such communities a source of current information regarding the resources described in this subparagraph;
(viii)
identification of the projected short-term and long-term costs of each activity recommended in the Energy Workforce Transition Plan, including worker benefits, grant programs, and other activities;
(ix)
identification of the potential sources for sustainable short-term and long-term funding for implementing the activities recommended in the Energy Workforce Transition Plan;
(x)
the potential advantages or disadvantages of extending activities recommended in the Energy Workforce Transition Plan to other sectors and industries affected by similar economic disruptions; and
(xi)
recommendations, made in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, and relevant State authorities, for efficient implementation of the activities recommended in the Energy Workforce Transition Plan.
(E)
Report to Congress— Not later than January 1, 2023, the Advisory Committee shall submit to Congress the Energy Workforce Transition Plan, as well as any recommendations to be considered in order to better achieve the plan.
(3)
Membership— The Advisory Committee shall consist of the following members:
(A)
Ex officio members as follows:
(i)
A representative of the Department of Labor.
(ii)
A representative of the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce.
(iii)
A representative of the Executive Office of the President.
(B)
The following members appointed by the Director:
(i)
4 representatives of energy transition workers, including at least one from a union representing coal workers, one from a building trades union, and one from a union representing other energy transition workers.
(ii)
3 representatives from energy transition communities.
(iii)
2 representatives with professional economic development or workforce retraining experience.
(iv)
2 representatives of disproportionately impacted communities.
(v)
2 representatives of electric utilities that, on the date of enactment of this Act, operate a coal-related facility.
(4)
Term— Except as otherwise provided in this section, the term of appointment or designation of a member of the Advisory Committee shall end on January 1, 2027.
(5)
Expenses— In accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, each member of the Advisory Committee may receive payment of a per diem and reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.
(6)
Chair— The Advisory Committee shall elect a chair from among its members to serve for a term not to exceed 2 years, as determined appropriate by the Advisory Committee.
(7)
Meetings— The Advisory Committee shall meet at least once every quarter. The chair of the Advisory Committee may call such additional meetings as are necessary for the Advisory Committee, with the Secretary, to develop and submit the Congress the Energy Workforce Transition Plan.
(8)
Engagement of others— The Advisory Committee may engage additional nonvoting members or advisors to provide additional expertise as needed.

Sec. 513 Energy workforce transition plans and reemployment of affected workers

(a)
Submission— The owner or operator of an energy-related facility shall to the extent practicable submit to the Director a workforce transition plan—
(1)
with respect to a coal-fueled electric generating facility with a capacity of more than 50 megawatts, 12 months before the closure of the facility;
(2)
with respect to a coal mine with a capacity of more than 4,000,000 short tons of coal per year, 12 months before the closure of the coal mine; and
(3)
with respect to an energy-related facility not described under paragraph (1) or (2), not later than 60 days before the closure of the facility.
(b)
Contents— To the extent practicable, a workforce transition plan submitted under subsection (a) shall include estimates of—
(1)
the number of workers, including those employed by a contractor or subcontractor, employed by the coal-related facility before the closure of the facility;
(2)
the total number of such workers, including those employed by a contractor or subcontractor, whose employment, as a result of the closure of the coal-related facility, will—
(A)
be retained;
(B)
be eliminated; and
(C)
be given a reduction in hours;
(3)
with respect to the workers, including those employed by a contractor or subcontractor, whose existing jobs will be eliminated as a result of the closure of the coal-related facility, the total number, and the number by job classification, of workers—
(A)
whose employment will end without being offered other employment;
(B)
who will retire as planned, be offered early retirement, or leave on their own;
(C)
who will be retained by being transferred to other activities under the employment of the owner or operator; and
(D)
who will be retained to continue to work for the owner or operator in a new job classification;
(4)
with respect to the workers, including those employed by a contractor or subcontractor, whose existing jobs will be retained during the closure of the coal-related facility, the total number, and the number by job classification, of workers who will work on the decommissioning and environmental remediation of the facility; and
(5)
if an owner or operator is replacing a coal-related facility with a new electric generating facility, the number of—
(A)
workers from the closed coal-related facility who will be employed at the new electric generating facility; and
(B)
jobs at the new electric generating facility that will be outsourced to contractors or subcontractors.
(c)
Privacy— A workforce transition plan submitted under subsection (a) shall not include information that violates privacy of workers or confidential business information.
(d)
Regulations— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement this subtitle.

C Modern Energy Workforce Development

Sec. 521 Definitions

In this subtitle:
(1)
Apprenticeship program— The term apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”), that meets the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on December 30, 2019.
(2)
Energy transition worker— The term energy transition worker means a worker, including workers employed by contractors or subcontractors, terminated, laid off from employment, or whose work-hours have been reduced, on or after the date of enactment of this Act, from a coal-related facility, coal-related industrial facility, or other energy-related entity.
(3)
Institution of higher education— The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(4)
Labor organization— The term labor organization has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152).
(5)
Local educational agency— The term local educational agency means a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, or for a combination of school districts or counties as are recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools.
(6)
Local workforce development board— The term local workforce development board has the meaning given that term in section 3122 of title 29, United States Code.
(7)
Minority institution— The term minority institution has the meaning given that term in section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3)).
(8)
Nonprofit organization— The term nonprofit organization means a group organized for purposes other than generating profit and in which no part of the organization’s income is distributed to its members, directors, or officers.
(9)
Pre-apprenticeship— The term pre-apprenticeship means, with respect to a program, an initiative or set of strategies that—
(A)
is designed to prepare participants to enter an apprenticeship program;
(B)
is carried out by an eligible sponsor that has a documented partnership with one or more sponsors of apprenticeship programs; and
(C)
includes each of the following:
(i)
Training (including a curriculum for the training) aligned with industry standards related to an apprenticeship program and reviewed and approved annually by sponsors of the apprenticeship program within the documented partnership that will prepare participants by teaching the skills and competencies needed to enter one or more apprenticeship programs.
(ii)
Hands-on training and theoretical education for participants that does not displace a paid employee.
(iii)
A formal agreement with a sponsor of an apprenticeship program that would enable participants who successfully complete the pre-apprenticeship program—
(I)
to enter into the apprenticeship program if a place in the program is available and if the participant meets the qualifications of the apprenticeship program; and
(II)
to earn credits towards the apprenticeship program.

Sec. 522 Modern energy workforce development

(a)
Establishment— The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish and carry out a comprehensive and nationwide program (referred to in this section as the “Program”) to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries) to increase the number of skilled workers trained to work in energy-related industries with existing or expected worker shortages.
(b)
Workforce development—
(1)
In general— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall—
(A)
offer available resources to energy transition workers and underrepresented groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, to enter into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;
(B)
offer available resources to institutions of higher education to equip students with the skills, training, and technical expertise necessary to fill existing or expected worker shortages in energy-related industries;
(C)
provide internships, fellowships, and traineeships at the Department of Energy, including at National Laboratories;
(D)
provide energy workforce-related research grants and technical assistance to institutions of higher education, with priority given to minority institutions;
(E)
ensure that internships, fellowships, traineeships, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships provide the necessary skills and certifications for employment in energy-related industries with existing or expected worker shortages;
(F)
ensure that the Program is in alignment with the Minorities in Energy Initiative of the Department of Energy;
(G)
ensure alignment with other programs that are carrying out the Minorities in Energy Initiative of the Department of Energy;
(H)
to the maximum extent practicable, collaborate with and support State workforce development programs to maximize the efficiency of the Program; and
(I)
work with labor organizations and institutions of higher education to promote pre-apprenticeship as a pathway to an energy-related career through an apprenticeship program.
(2)
Priority— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall—
(A)
prioritize the education and training of energy transition workers and underrepresented groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals for jobs in energy-related industries, especially construction; and
(B)
partner with labor organizations that have multi-year records of training and supporting energy transition workers and underrepresented groups to successful completion of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
(c)
Direct assistance—
(1)
In general— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall provide direct assistance (including financial assistance awards, technical expertise, and guidance) to local educational agencies, local workforce development boards, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship programs, and pre-apprenticeship programs.
(2)
Distribution— The Secretary shall distribute direct assistance under paragraph (1) in a manner that—
(A)
is reflective of the needs of, and demand for jobs in, an energy-related industry; and
(B)
is consistent with the information obtained under subsections (e)(4) and (j).
(3)
Restriction— In providing financial assistance awards under paragraph (1) for education and training relating to construction, eligible entities shall only include apprenticeship programs, and pre-apprenticeship programs that have an articulation agreement with one or more apprenticeship programs.
(d)
Resource center— The Secretary shall establish an online resource center—
(1)
to maintain and update information and resources on training programs for jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries); and
(2)
to connect local educational agencies, State educational agencies, institutions of higher education, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs that are working to develop and implement training programs for the jobs described in paragraph (1) to share resources, approaches, and best practices.
(e)
Collaboration and report— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall—
(1)
collaborate with local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs, and energy-related industries;
(2)
facilitate the sharing of best practices and approaches that best suit local, State, and national needs;
(3)
encourage and foster collaboration, men­tor­ship, and partnership between—
(A)
industry partners, local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, that provide effective training programs for jobs in energy-related industries; and
(B)
local educational agencies, State educational agencies, and institutions of higher education that seek to establish those programs; and
(4)
collaborate with the Secretary of Labor, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the Bureau of the Census, labor organizations, and energy-related industries—
(A)
to develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the workforce needs of, and job opportunities in, energy-related industries, by State and by region; and
(B)
to publish an annual report on job creation in the sectors of energy-related industries identified under subsection (j).
(f)
Best practices for educational institutions—
(1)
In general— The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall develop and report best practices for providing students with skills necessary for jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries) to local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and apprenticeship programs.
(2)
Energy efficiency and community energy resiliency initiatives— The Secretary shall develop and provide best practices for teaching students and the families of those students about energy efficiency and community energy resiliency.
(3)
Input from industry labor organizations— In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall solicit input from energy-related industries and labor organizations, especially sectors with existing or expected worker shortages or expertise in energy efficiency.
(4)
STEM education— In carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall promote education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(g)
Outreach to minority institutions— In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall—
(1)
increase the Department of Energy’s outreach to minority institutions;
(2)
work with minority institutions to increase the number of skilled minorities and women qualified for jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries);
(3)
work with energy-related industries to improve opportunities for students of minority institutions to participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study programs; and
(4)
work with the Directors of the National Laboratories to increase the participation of students from minority institutions in internships, fellowships, training programs, and employment at those laboratories.
(h)
Outreach to energy transition workers— The Secretary shall—
(1)
work with employers and job trainers, including apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, in preparing energy transition workers for emerging jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries);
(2)
work with energy transition workers to increase the number of individuals trained for jobs in energy-related industries (including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in energy-related industries); and
(3)
work with labor organizations and energy-related industry partners to improve opportunities for energy transition workers to participate in industry internships, cooperative work-study programs, apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships.
(i)
Enrollment in training and apprenticeship and pre-Apprenticeship programs— The Secretary shall provide assistance to industry, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs in identifying students and other candidates, including energy transition workers and underrepresented groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and so­ci­o­eco­nom­i­cal­ly disadvantaged individuals, to enroll in training and apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs for jobs in energy-related industries.
(j)
Guidelines To develop skills for a modern energy industry workforce— The Secretary shall, in collaboration with energy-related industries and labor organizations, identify the sectors within each energy-related industry that have the greatest demand for workers and develop guidelines for the skills necessary to work in those sectors. The Secretary shall identify the sectors in consultation with a broad cross-section of the energy industry, including relevant energy industry organizations, public and private employers, labor organizations, postsecondary education institutions, and workforce development boards.
(k)
Rule of construction— Nothing in this section authorizes any department, agency, officer, or employee of the Federal Government to exercise any direction, supervision, or control over—
(1)
the curriculum, program of instruction, or instructional content of any State, local educational agency, or school; or
(2)
the selection of library resources, textbooks, or other printed or published instructional materials used by any State, local educational agency, or school.

Sec. 523 Zero-emission economy workforce pilot program

(a)
Definitions— In this section:
(1)
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means a National Laboratory, business, or labor organization that demonstrates success in placing graduates of pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs in jobs relevant to such programs and—
(A)
is directly involved with zero-emission electricity technology, energy efficiency, or other activity that results in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Secretary;
(B)
works on behalf of a business or labor organization that is directly involved with zero-emission electricity technology, energy efficiency, or other activity that results in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Secretary;
(C)
provides services related to—
(i)
zero-emission electricity technology deployment and maintenance and energy efficiency;
(ii)
grid modernization; or
(iii)
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of zero-emission energy technologies;
(D)
has knowledge of technician workforce needs of a National Laboratory or covered facility of the National Nuclear security Administration and the associated security requirements of such laboratory or facility;
(E)
demonstrates experience in implementing and operating apprenticeship programs or pre-apprenticeship programs that provide a direct pathway to an energy-related career; or
(F)
demonstrates success in placing graduates of pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs in jobs relevant to such programs.
(2)
National Laboratory— The term National Laboratory means any of the following laboratories owned by the Department of Energy:
(A)
Ames Laboratory.
(B)
Argonne National Laboratory.
(C)
Brookhaven National Laboratory.
(D)
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
(E)
Idaho National Laboratory.
(F)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
(G)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
(H)
Los Alamos National Laboratory.
(I)
National Energy Technology Laboratory.
(J)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
(K)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
(L)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
(M)
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
(N)
Sandia National Laboratories.
(O)
Savannah River National Laboratory.
(P)
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
(Q)
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
(3)
Pilot program— The term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
(b)
Establishment— The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a pilot program to provide competitively awarded cost-shared grants to eligible entities to pay for on-the-job training of a new or existing employee—
(1)
to work in zero-emission electricity generation, energy efficiency, or grid modernization;
(2)
to work otherwise on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; or
(3)
to participate in a pre-apprenticeship program that provides a direct pathway to an energy-related career in construction through one or more apprenticeship programs.
(c)
Grants—
(1)
In general— An eligible entity desiring a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary of Energy an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Energy may require.
(2)
Priority for targeted communities— In providing grants under the pilot program, the Secretary of Energy shall give priority to an eligible entity that—
(A)
recruits employees—
(i)
from the one or more communities that are served by the eligible entity; and
(ii)
that are minorities, women, veterans, individuals from Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, or energy transition workers;
(B)
provides trainees with the opportunity to obtain real-world experience; or
(C)
has fewer than 100 employees; and
(D)
in the case of a pre-apprenticeship program, demonstrates—
(i)
a multi-year record of successfully recruiting energy transition workers, minorities, women, and veterans for training and supporting such individuals to a successful completion of a pre-apprenticeship program; and
(ii)
a successful multi-year record of placing the majority of pre-apprenticeship program graduates into apprenticeship programs in the construction industry.
(3)
Use of grant for Federal share—
(A)
In general— An eligible entity shall use a grant received under the pilot program to—
(i)
pay the Federal share of the cost of providing on-the-job training for an employee, in accordance with subparagraph (B); or
(ii)
in the case of a pre-apprenticeship program—
(I)
recruiting minorities, women, and veterans for training;
(II)
supporting those individuals in the successful completion of the pre-apprenticeship program; and
(III)
carrying out any other activity of the pre-apprenticeship program, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary.
(B)
Federal share amount— The Federal share described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall not exceed—
(i)
in the case of an eligible entity with 20 or fewer employees, 45 percent of the cost of on-the-job-training for an employee;
(ii)
in the case of an eligible entity with not fewer than 21 employees and not more than 99 employees, 37.5 percent of the cost of on-the-job-training for an employee;
(iii)
in the case of an eligible entity with not fewer than 100 employees, 25 percent of the cost of on-the-job-training for an employee; and
(iv)
in the case of an eligible entity that administers a pre-apprenticeship program, 75 percent of the cost of the pre-apprenticeship program.
(4)
Employer payment of non-Federal share—
(A)
In general— The non-Federal share of the cost of providing on-the-job training for an employee under a grant received under the pilot program shall be paid in cash or in kind by the employer of the employee receiving the training or by a nonprofit organization.
(B)
Inclusions— The non-Federal share described in subparagraph (A) may include the amount of wages paid by the employer to the employee during the time that the employee is receiving on-the-job training, as fairly evaluated by the Secretary of Labor.
(5)
Construction— In providing grants under the pilot program for training, recruitment, and support relating to construction, eligible entities shall only include pre-apprenticeship programs that have an articulation agreement with one or more apprenticeship programs.
(6)
Grant amount— An eligible entity may not receive more than $1,000,000 per fiscal year in grant funds under the pilot program.

Sec. 524 University Zero-Emission Energy Leadership Program

(a)
Establishment—
(1)
In general— Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“959C. University Zero-Emission Energy Leadership Program

“(a) Establishment—The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program, to be known as the “University Zero-Emission Energy Leadership Program”.

“(b) Use of funds—Amounts made available to carry out the University Zero-Emission Energy Leadership Program—

“(1) shall be used to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education in areas relevant to departmental missions in research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities for zero-emission technologies;

“(2) may be used to provide financial assistance to businesses to offset the costs of a partnership with, or investments in, institutions of higher education in areas relevant to departmental missions in research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities for zero-emission technologies; and

“(3) may be used to provide financial assistance for a scholarship, fellowship, or multiyear research and development project that does not align directly with a departmental mission, if the activity for which assistance is provided promotes a zero-emission energy transition.”

(2)
Table of contents— The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is further amended by adding after the item relating to section 959B the following:
(b)
Repeal— The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 is amended by striking section 313.

Sec. 525 Climate Resiliency Corps

(a)
Definitions— In this section:
(1)
Energy transition workers— The term energy transition workers means workers, including workers employed by contractors or subcontractors, terminated, laid off from employment, or whose work-hours have been reduced, on or after the date of enactment of this Act, from a coal-related facility, coal-related industry, or other energy-related entity.
(2)
Members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces— The term members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces means members of the—
(A)
Army National Guard of the United States;
(B)
Army Reserve;
(C)
Navy Reserve;
(D)
Marine Corps Reserve;
(E)
Air National Guard of the United States;
(F)
Air Force Reserve; and
(G)
Coast Guard Reserve.
(3)
Underemployed— The term underemployed means individuals who are employed at less than full-time because they are unable to obtain full time employment or who are employed at jobs inadequate to their training or economic needs.
(4)
Veterans of the Armed Forces— The term veterans of the Armed Forces means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
(b)
Establishment— In order to relieve distress and unemployment in the United States and to provide for the restoration of depleted natural resources in the United States and the advancement of an orderly program of useful public works, the President shall establish and operate a Climate Resiliency Corps to employ residents of the United States, who are unemployed or underemployed, in the construction, maintenance, and carrying out of works of a public nature in connection with, but not limited to—
(1)
coastal restoration, including—
(A)
adaptive management;
(B)
exposed element relocation, elevation, or removal;
(C)
flood and storm surge barrier;
(D)
sea dikes;
(E)
seawall or revetment;
(F)
spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management planning;
(G)
temporary and demountable flood defenses;
(H)
rainwater harvesting;
(I)
sustainable urban drainage systems; and
(J)
wet and dry proofing;
(2)
resilient infrastructure, including—
(A)
deployment and management of resilient transportation and other infrastructure systems;
(B)
sustainable urban underground structures development; and
(C)
earthquake resiliency and interaction of above- and below-ground infrastructure;
(3)
natural solutions, including—
(A)
restoration of wetlands, mangroves, marshes, seagrasses, and oyster reefs, and the installation of living shorelines;
(B)
green roofs;
(C)
rain gardens;
(D)
bioswales;
(E)
urban tree canopies; and
(F)
permeable pavements; and
(4)
other activities that are deemed necessary by the President, with guidance from the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, or other relevant agency leaders.
(c)
Role of Federal agencies— To operate the Climate Resiliency Corps, the President may utilize existing Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Labor, the Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Federal governmental corporations.
(d)
Contract authority—
(1)
For the purpose of carrying out this section, the President may enter into such contracts or agreements with States as may be necessary, including provisions for utilization of existing State administrative agencies.
(2)
States entering into such contracts or agreements shall provide written assurances to the President that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the performance of construction work financed in whole or in part with assistance under this section shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar work in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code.
(e)
Acquisition of real property— The President, or the head of any department or agency authorized by the President to construct any project or to carry on any public works under this Act, may acquire real property for such project or public work by purchase, donation, condemnation, or otherwise.
(f)
Administration—
(1)
Employment preference— If the President determines that amounts appropriated to carry out a Climate Resiliency Corps under this Act for a fiscal year will be insufficient to employ all of the citizens of the United States described in section (b) who are seeking or likely to seek employment in the Climate Resiliency Corps and continue the employment of current employees who desire to remain in the Climate Resiliency Corps, the President shall give priority to the hiring of additional persons in the Climate Resiliency Corps to—
(A)
energy transition workers;
(B)
unemployed veterans of the Armed Forces and unemployed members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces;
(C)
unemployed citizens who have exhausted their entitlement to unemployment compensation;
(D)
unemployed citizens, who immediately before employment in the Climate Resiliency Corps, are eligible for unemployment compensation payable under any State law or Federal unemployment compensation law, including any additional compensation or extended compensation under such laws; and
(E)
other citizens from minority groups, including, religious and ethnic minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities.
(2)
Housing and care of employees— The President may provide housing for persons employed in the Climate Resiliency Corps and furnish them with such subsistence, clothing, medical attendance and hospitalization, and cash allowance, as may be necessary, during the period they are so employed.
(3)
Transportation— The President may provide for the transportation of persons employed in the Climate Resiliency Corps to and from the places of employment.
(4)
Non-discrimination— In employing citizens for the Climate Resiliency Corps, no discrimination shall occur, in accordance with Federal employment law, except that no individual under conviction for crime and serving sentence therefore shall be employed under the provisions of this Act.
(g)
Use of unobligated funds appropriated for public works—
(1)
Use of existing funds— The President may use any moneys previously appropriated for public works and unobligated as of the date of the enactment of this Act to establish and operate a Climate Resiliency Corps under this section.
(2)
Use to relieve unemployment— Not less than 80 percent of the funds utilized pursuant to this subsection must be used to provide for the employment of individuals under this section.
(3)
Exceptions— Paragraph (1) shall not apply to—
(A)
unobligated moneys appropriated for public works on which actual construction has been commenced as of the date of the enactment of this Act or may be commenced within 90 days after that date; and
(B)
maintenance funds for river and harbor improvements already allocated as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(h)
Termination— The authority of the President to establish and operate a Climate Resilience Corps under this section expires on September 30, 2035.

Sec. 526 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2035.