[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1817 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1817
To direct the Secretary of Labor to establish a renewable energy
transition grant program and to establish a National Employment Corps,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2021
Mr. DeSaulnier introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Labor to establish a renewable energy
transition grant program and to establish a National Employment Corps,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Workers for a Clean
Future Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The fossil fuel and fossil fuel-dependent industries
have been major drivers of employment and economic growth in
regions throughout California. Yet, despite the success of
these industries, many local residents are unemployed or live
in poverty. In addition, nearby communities often suffer from
pollution, poor air and water quality, and other health
hazards. The goal of community transition grants is to develop
a vision for a future economy based on equity, sustainability,
and shared prosperity. A regional approach requires bringing
together a diverse set of stakeholders that represent the whole
community. This coalition must be capable of developing and
implementing strategies to support workers and communities that
will be affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. To
be effective, coalitions should work closely with high road
employers and industry leaders to identify in-demand skills and
workforce strategies that promote emerging and expanding
sectors of the regional economy.
(2) These strategies should provide pathways for impacted
workers to transition to other sustainable jobs and careers.
They should also include the frontline communities who have
historically been excluded from the economic benefits of the
fossil fuel industry, while bearing the greatest costs of
pollution and ecological damage.
(3) Partnerships should include organizations representing
workers and communities impacted by the fossil fuel industry
and the transition to a carbon-constrained economy. Workers,
residents, and community leaders have inherent knowledge of
regional dynamics, issues, and needs, and should function at
the center of developing regional solutions.
(4) In addition, coalitions should be diverse and represent
a wide range of regional interests and stakeholders, including
organizations representing labor, environmental justice,
industry, economic development, local tribal and municipal
government, and educational institutions.
(5) As the United States and global economies shift from
fossil fuels to more sustainable sources of energy, the fossil
fuel workforce cannot be left behind. They must be part of the
conversation and have a role in shaping the transition.
SEC. 3. RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the
Secretary of Energy, shall establish a grant program for local
governments for the purpose of developing a plan to transition workers
from employment in fossil fuel industries to employment in sustainable
industries.
(b) Eligibility.--The Secretary of Labor may award grants under
subsection (a) to a local or Tribal government that--
(1) establishes industry or sector partnerships (as defined
in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(29 U.S.C. 3102));
(2) is in a locality that the Secretary of Energy
determines to have a percentage of traditional energy sector
jobs that is average or above average relative to the United
States; and
(3) certifies that such local or Tribal government will
develop the transition plan described in subsection (a) in
consultation with relevant State and other experts, including
experts in energy labor, green economy policies, and energy
policy, and with relevant State officials, if applicable.
(c) Determination of Percentage of Traditional Energy Sector
Jobs.--In making the determination under subsection (b)(2), the
Secretary of Labor shall take into consideration information from the
report entitled ``U.S. Energy and Employment Report'' issued by the
Secretary in January, 2017.
(d) Use of Funds.--Funds under subsection (a) may be used for the
following purposes:
(1) To develop a transition plan described in subsection
(a).
(2) To support an existing apprenticeship program for
apprenticeable occupation or, if in a non-traditional industry,
to develop an apprenticeship program.
(3) To train individuals who are new to the workforce for
jobs in sustainable industries, including but not limited to,
manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles,
renewable energy, CERCLA remediation, and may include a
partnership or agreements with employers to provide jobs for
trainees.
(e) Transition Plan Requirements.--A transition plan funded under
subsection (a)--
(1) shall include assistance for accessing all existing
applicable Federal and State aid for displaced workers,
including unemployment insurance, job transition training, and
community services for the affected community as well as trade
adjustment assistance and other programs, if applicable; and
(2) may also include assistance to supplement existing
Federal and State aid, including funds for bridges to
retirement for older workers, wage insurance for workers who
find employment in lower wage jobs, and funding for significant
career change training for workers who wish to change careers,
including case management and career path counseling.
(f) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT CORPS.
(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
Labor a National Employment Corps.
(b) Job Guarantee Grants.--
(1) In general.--If local government or Tribe described in
section 3(b) executes a plan under section 2 in good faith, but
all workers described in section 3(a) are not successfully
transitioned, the Secretary of Labor, acting through the
National Employment Corps, shall establish a program
(hereinafter referred to as the ``program'') to provide grants
to local and Tribal governments to provide direct employment
projects for the purpose of guaranteeing a job and job training
to any eligible worker not successfully transitioned under such
plan.
(2) Use of funds.--The grants under paragraph (1) shall
cover wage, benefits, and material expenses of eligible
workers.
(3) Eligible worker.--In this section, the term ``eligible
worker'' means any individual who loses a job or reasonably
anticipates losing a job due to a transition from traditional
energy sources to sustainable energy sources.
(c) Coordination of Federal Efforts.--The Corps shall work with
Federal agencies to identify areas of needed investment in the United
States economy, including infrastructure, energy efficiency,
retrofitting, elder care, child care, job training, education, and
health services.
(d) Federal Component.--
(1) In general.--If projects funded under the program under
subsection (b) are inadequate to maintain full employment in
the locality or Tribe, the Secretary shall intervene in the
locality or Tribe to provide adequate employment opportunities
to guarantee employment to workers described in such
subsection.
(2) Additional services.--The Corps shall also offer the
following services to eligible workers:
(A) Supportive services.
(B) Wrap-around services, including:
(i) Transportation.
(ii) Childcare.
(iii) Job preparation services.
(iv) Counseling.
(C) Adult edcation and literacy activities.
(D) Activities to assist justice-involved
individuals.
(3) Website and database.--To assist with an individual's
move from the job guarantee to other employment opportunities
under a National Employment Corps, the Secretary shall
establish a website and database listing individuals employed
under the program as available for, and seeking, employment.
Individuals shall be allowed up to one day (8 hours) per
employed month to seek alternative employment and for
professional development.
(e) Coordination of Local Efforts.--Any local or Tribal government
that receives a grant shall develop employment proposals in
coordination with community leaders, labor organizations, and local
residents to ensure the proposals will serve the needs of the
constituents and available pool of labor. The employment proposals may
not be used to employ individuals who will replace or speed the
displacement of existing employees or individuals who would otherwise
perform similar work.
(f) Employment Protections.--
(1) Collective bargaining units.-- Participants shall be
included in an established bargaining unit and covered by any
applicable collective bargaining agreement upon the
establishment of such agreement.
(2) Wages under the program.--Wage variation shall be built
into the program, as determined by the Secretary of Labor, to
account for workers' previous experience, education, and region
of residence, as well as the prospect of promotion within the
National Employment Corps.
(3) Website.--To manage projects past, present, and future,
the National Employment Corps shall create a website where all
projects will be listed.
(4) Minimum wage.--Any individual employed using funds
under this section shall be paid wages at a rate that is not
less than $15.00 per hour and that are comparable wages in the
region, plus benefits, and indexed for inflation.
(g) Apprenticeship Defined.--In this section, the term
``apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship program 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.), including any
requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act, as such
requirement, standard, or rule was in effect on December 30, 2019.
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