H.R. 2847 would amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program.
Detailed Summary
Green Jobs Act of 2007 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) to: (1) establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program that targets certain persons (including individuals in need of updated training related to the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries, veterans, unemployed workers, and at-risk youth) and sectors of the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries; and (2) establish a national research program to collect and analyze labor market data to track workforce trends resulting from energy-related initiatives under this Act.
Directs the Secretary to award: (1) National Energy Training Partnerships Grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit partnerships to carry out training programs that lead to economic self-sufficiency and develop an energy efficiency and renewable energy industries workforce; (2) grants to states to administer, in coordination with a one-stop delivery system, labor market and labor exchange programs that include funding to state agencies to identify job openings, administer skill and aptitude testing, and provide counseling and case management services; (3) energy training partnership program grants to states to administer renewable energy and energy efficiency workforce development programs; and (4) at least 10 Pathways Out of Poverty Demonstration Program competitive grants to community based nonprofit organizations to carry out training that leads to impoverished families gaining economic self-sufficiency.
Applies certain worker protection and nondiscrimination requirements to the programs carried out in this Act.
Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the training program established by this Act.
Authorizes appropriations.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/11/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Glenn Fieldman
I hate to resort to an over-used cliche, but this is a win-win, if I ever saw one. Scientists have underlined the rapid progress of global warming by documenting much more rapid Artic/Antarctic melting than models predict. If we're to slow it down, reducing emissions is an urgent necessity. Outsourcing has eliminated many well-paying manufacturing jobs, a traditional route to upward mobility in the U.S. Retrofitting homes to save energy and fitting them with new equipment for energy generation will create good jobs here, and training programs like this will help to ensure that people and communities that need them most will get them.