The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant funding initiative aimed at boosting the clean energy workforce. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs has selected participants for the Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Grant Program, which is funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This program will allocate up to $27.98 million to 15 State Energy Offices and the American Samoa Territorial Energy Office to enhance the green building workforce and support national energy efficiency improvements.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm stated, “There are over two million American workers in the energy efficiency sector and the demand for their skills continues to grow thanks to the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda.” She added that this funding would help expand the clean energy workforce as efforts continue to deploy energy-saving solutions nationwide.

Energy audits play a crucial role in identifying ways to reduce energy usage and promote efficiency, offering savings for homes and businesses. The EAT program is part of a broader effort by the Department of Energy to assist states, territories, and Washington D.C., in investing in initiatives that lower energy costs and support a clean energy future while benefiting disadvantaged communities through job creation.

Several state offices have been selected for commercial sector initiatives, including Georgia Environmental Finance Authority with $1,998,481 for a collaborative partnership involving several southeastern states. Hawai’i State Energy Office will receive $900,000 for its HEAT Program aimed at closing job access gaps.

In the residential sector, American Samoa Territorial Energy Office will receive $2 million to establish a training program addressing local workforce gaps. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will also receive $2 million for creating standardized training programs in partnership with Champaign County Regional Planning Commission.

Other states such as Minnesota, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Nevada, Louisiana, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington have also been selected for various projects focusing on both commercial and residential sectors.

For further details about these initiatives or specific programs within each state or territory involved in this effort towards enhancing America's clean energy infrastructure can be found on the official website dedicated to the Energy Auditor Training Program.