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HR 8517

Clean Energy Workforce Act

119th Congress Introduced by Yassamin Ansari and 21 co-sponsors

Extends federal funding to develop clean energy CTE curricula and energy-efficient facilities, expanding access and replication to train the future clean energy workforce.

Introduced in House
0
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Bill Summary · HR 8517

Summary of HR 8517, the Clean Energy Workforce Act (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes federal support to develop career and technical education (CTE) programs and facilities focused on renewable energy and related clean energy fields.
  • Aims to prepare students for employment in emerging clean energy careers and to expand access to energy-efficient facilities and training.

Key provisions

1) Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grants (Section 2)
- Authorization: Grants awarded by the Secretary of Energy (in consultation with the Secretary of Education) on a competitive basis.
- Eligible partnerships: Must include at least one local education agency (LEA), an area CTE school or educational service agency, a postsecondary institution, and community representatives (including business/industry and labor organizations as appropriate).
- Applications: Partnerships submit detailed plans describing roles, program of study (secondary and postsecondary components), replication and dissemination strategies, accessibility for diverse and disadvantaged groups, and alignment with labor market needs.
- Priorities: Preference for proposals that (a) use online or scalable delivery to reach other institutions and (b) focus on low-performing students and special populations.
- Uses of funds: Develop or expand programs of study in a covered field, ensure replicability and dissemination, and support dissemination to other institutions. Address placement in non-traditional fields.

2) Renewable Energy Facilities Grants (Section 3)
- Authorization: Grants to eligible entities to promote energy-efficient, renewable-energy-oriented CTE facilities.
- Eligible entities: LEAs, area CTE schools, educational service agencies, postsecondary institutions, or a consortium of these.
- Uses of funds:
- Evaluate facility sustainability and energy effectiveness, and assess compliance with renewable energy standards.
- Convene stakeholders to plan addressing identified needs.
- Construct, operate, and improve facilities that promote renewable energy practices.
- Purchase energy-efficient machinery and educational equipment.
- Share lessons and best practices with other eligible entities.

3) Peer Review (Section 4)
- A peer review committee will evaluate grant applications and make funding recommendations.
- Committee composition includes CTE educators/administrators with energy-efficient facilities experience and industry experts in renewable energy.

4) Definitions (Section 5)
- Covered field: Clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation/adaptation.
- Terms align with Perkins Act definitions (for CTE purposes).

5) Appropriations (Section 6)
- Authorization of $100 million to be appropriated to carry out the Act.

Who would be affected

  • Students in secondary and postsecondary pathways entering clean energy careers.
  • Local educational agencies, CTE schools, and postsecondary institutions partnering on renewable energy programs.
  • Employers and labor organizations involved in the clean energy sector.
  • Communities seeking energy-efficient CTE facilities and scalable program delivery.

Timeline and process considerations

  • Grants awarded on a competitive basis after an application process outlined in the bill.
  • Peer review process to inform grant selections.
  • Programs intended to be scalable and disseminated beyond the original grantees, with emphasis on broad accessibility and addressing labor market needs.

Overall impact

  • Seeks to expand the clean energy workforce by funding curriculum development, instructor capacity, and modern, energy-efficient facilities.
  • Emphasizes equitable access and replication of successful programs, with alignment to labor market demand in covered fields.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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