Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) announced today that the Energy Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on the Blue Collar to Green Collar Jobs Development Act of 2019, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 10:30 am in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The legislative hearing is entitled “Clean Energy Infrastructure and the Workforce to Build It."
“As the energy sector changes to address climate change, it’s critically important that we not only invest in clean energy infrastructure, but also a diverse workforce that can build it," said Rush, who will introduce the legislation later this week. “We need to make sure that every community has access to the energy sector’s growing opportunities, and that no American’s success is determined by race, economic status or zip code. It’s important to ensure that our nation’s energy field represents the diversity of America."
The Blue Collar to Green Collar Jobs Development Act of 2019 would reauthorize and expand the Department of Energy’s Office of Minority Economic Impact to improve the education and training of underrepresented groups for employment in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction and retrofitting jobs. Specifically, it would direct assistance to educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and workforce development boards, establish a grant program to help eligible businesses pay for employees to receive renewable energy and energy efficiency training, and establish a clearinghouse of information and resources for those seeking energy-related jobs.
Information for this hearing, including the Majority Memorandum, witness list and testimony, and a live webcast, will be posted HERE as they become available.
