I 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6142 
To direct the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary 
of Education to, jointly, develop a workforce training and education 
program to prepare workers for careers in the alternative energy and 
energy efficiency industries. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010 
Mr. TONKO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Education and Labor 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Energy, 
and the Secretary of Education to, jointly, develop a 
workforce training and education program to prepare 
workers for careers in the alternative energy and energy 
efficiency industries. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Green Workforce De-
velopment Through Community Colleges Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to direct the Secretary of 
Labor, the Secretary of Energy, and the Secretary of Edu-
cation (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretaries’’) to, 
jointly, develop a workforce training and education pro-
gram to prepare workers for careers in the alternative en-
ergy and energy efficiency industries. 
SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall 
establish and convene an advisory commission (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.—The duties of the 
Commission shall be to carry out the following: 
(1) Review and analyze the skill needs of the al-
ternative energy and energy efficiency fields. 
(2) Identify and define career pathways, includ-
ing coursework, certification, and other training 
needed for career development in the following ca-
reer areas in the alternative energy and energy effi-
ciency fields: 
(A) Wind power, including the construction 
and maintenance of commercial and residential 
wind turbines. 
(B) Solar power, including commercial and 
residential photovoltaic installation. 
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(C) Geo-thermal energy, including home 
and commercial heating and cooling and other 
applications. 
(D) Training of energy auditors to perform 
energy efficiency audits on both residential and 
commercial structures. 
(E) Energy efficient retrofit and renova-
tion of residential and commercial structures. 
(3) Recommend a curriculum framework and 
best practices for educational and workforce training 
programs related to each career area described in 
paragraph (2), by consulting with leaders in alter-
native energy and energy efficiency fields, includ-
ing— 
(A) community colleges identified by the 
Secretaries as leaders, or having the best prac-
tices, in alternative energy workforce develop-
ment; 
(B) State energy offices and other local 
agencies with expertise in energy efficiency; and 
(C) representatives from the alternative en-
ergy industry and trade unions that represent 
workers in the alternative energy industry. 
(4) In making recommendations under para-
graph (3), the Commission shall take into account 
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variations in the skill level, work experience, and 
education of students who may participate in the 
educational and workforce training programs de-
scribed in such paragraph. 
(5) Not later than 12 months after the date on 
which the first train-the-trainers grant is awarded 
under section 5, submit to the Secretaries of Labor, 
Energy, and Education, and the Committee on Edu-
cation and Labor of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions of the Senate, a report on that in-
cludes— 
(A) the Commission’s findings with regard 
to identifying career pathways related to the ca-
reer areas described in paragraph (2); 
(B) the Commission’s recommendations re-
garding the curriculum framework for such ca-
reer areas; and 
(C) other information and recommenda-
tions on best practices with respect to teaching 
in such career areas that the Commission con-
siders appropriate. 
(6) Assist the Secretaries in administering the 
grant program established under section 5. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(4) COMPENSATION.—All members of the Com-
mission shall serve voluntarily and without addi-
tional compensation. 
(5) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary of Labor 
shall designate a member of the Commission to be 
the Chairperson of the Commission. 
(6) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall— 
(A) hold its first meeting not later than 30 
days after the date on which a majority of the 
members of the Commission have been ap-
pointed; and 
(B) meet at the call of the Chairperson. 
(7) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of 
the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 
lesser number may hold hearings. 
(d) STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) ADDITIONAL STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may 
appoint up to 3 additional staff who will report 
to the Chairperson. 
(B) APPLICABILITY
OF
CERTAIN
CIVIL 
SERVICE LAWS.—The staff of the Commission 
shall be appointed subject to the provisions of 
title 5, United States Code, governing appoint-
ments in the competitive service, and shall be 
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paid in accordance with the provisions of 51 
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title 
relating to classification and General Schedule 
pay rates. 
(2) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Chairman of the Commission, the head 
of any Federal department or agency may detail, on 
a nonreimbursable basis, any personnel of that de-
partment or agency to the Commission to assist it 
in carrying out its duties under this Act. 
(e) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commis-
sion may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties 
under this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take testimony, and receive evi-
dence as the Commission considers appropriate. 
(2) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any 
member or agent of the Commission may, if author-
ized by the Commission, take any action which the 
Commission is authorized to take by this subsection. 
(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the Federal Government information nec-
essary to enable it to carry out its duties under this 
Act. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Com-
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mission, the head of that department or agency shall 
furnish that information to the Commission. 
(4) STUDIES.—The Commission may conduct 
studies to enable it to carry out its duties under this 
Act. 
(5) MAILS.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the Federal Government. 
(f) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on 90 days after submitting its final report under sub-
section (b)(5). 
SEC. 4. POSTING REPORT ON WEBSITE. 
Upon receipt of the report under section 3(b)(5), the 
Secretary of Labor, Education, and Energy shall post on 
the Internet website of the Department of Labor, Edu-
cation, and Energy, respectively, the report. 
SEC. 5. GRANTS AUTHORIZED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—From the amounts appropriated 
under section 8 to carry out this section, not earlier than 
fiscal year 2011, the Secretaries shall, jointly, award 
grants to community colleges for the purposes of providing 
education and workforce training in the alternative energy 
and energy efficiency fields. 
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(b) APPLICATION.—To receive a grant under this 
Act, a community college shall submit an application to 
the Secretaries at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Secretaries may require. 
Such application shall include— 
(1) an identification of employment opportuni-
ties in the alternative energy and energy efficiency 
fields in the area served by the community college 
and the specific skills needed to obtain such employ-
ment opportunities, based on information from— 
(A) existing labor market and industry 
analyses; 
(B) local workforce investment boards; or 
(C) private, non-profit organizations or 
nonprofit business or economic development or-
ganizations; 
(2) an assurance that the community college 
will carry out detailed market research to assess, 
with respect to the area served by the community 
college— 
(A) the current and projected employment 
opportunities and labor demand in the alter-
native energy and energy efficiency fields; and 
(B) the job skills necessary to obtain such 
employment opportunities; and 
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(3) an assurance that the community college 
will use the information described in paragraph (1) 
and the market research carried out by the college 
under paragraph (2) to establish education and 
workforce training programs that correspond to the 
employment opportunities in the alternative energy 
and energy efficiency fields in the area served by the 
community college, and the skills needs to obtain 
such opportunities. 
(c) USES OF FUNDS.—A community college receiving 
a grant under this Act shall use such grant funds to— 
(1) establish educational and workforce training 
programs that— 
(A) correspond to the employment opportu-
nities in such fields, and the skills needs with 
respect to such opportunities in the area served 
by the community college, as determined by the 
information obtained, and the market research 
carried out, by the community college under 
subsection (b); 
(B) incorporate— 
(i) following the completion of the 
Commission’s report pursuant to section 
3(b)(5) curriculum recommend private 
non-profit or not-for-profit business/eco-
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nomic development organizations developed 
by the Commission pursuant to such sec-
tion; and 
(ii) best practices developed by com-
munity colleges pursuant to section 6; 
(2) assist students and graduates of the edu-
cational and workforce training program in appren-
ticeship and employment placement in the alter-
native energy and energy efficiency fields; 
(3) coordinate with the secondary schools and 
vocational schools in the area served by the commu-
nity college to assist such schools in providing edu-
cational services in the alternative energy and energy 
efficiency fields for students enrolled in such schools 
(such as by assisting in the development of a cur-
riculum or apprenticeship program in such fields); 
and 
(4) coordinate with local workforce investment 
boards to ensure— 
(A) access to enroll in the programs estab-
lished under paragraph (1) to individuals par-
ticipating in workforce investment activities in 
the local area; and 
(B) that the programs provide access to 
enrollment in the programs to— 
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(i) dislocated workers; 
(ii) workers who are transitioning into 
careers in the alternative energy or energy 
efficiency fields; 
(iii) underrepresented minorities; and 
(iv) low-income individuals. 
SEC. 6. TRAIN THE TRAINERS PROGRAM. 
(a) GRANT
PROGRAM
AUTHORIZED.—From the 
amount reserved under section 8(b), the Secretaries shall, 
jointly, award grants to up to 10 community colleges iden-
tified by the Secretaries as leaders in education and work-
force training in the alternative energy and energy effi-
ciency fields to develop best practices with respect to such 
education and training. 
(b) APPLICATION.—A community college desiring to 
receive a grant under this section shall submit an applica-
tion at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information that the Secretaries may require, which shall, 
at a minimum, include information with respect to— 
(1) the training program in the alternative en-
ergy and energy efficiency fields that is being carried 
out by the community college; 
(2) the facility where the program is being car-
ried out; 
(3) the curriculum for such program; and 
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(4) any partnerships the community college— 
(A) has established with representatives of 
businesses, educational institutions, or other or-
ganizations that have expertise in the alter-
native energy or energy efficiency fields; and 
(B) that have provided training experience 
opportunities in such fields for students in the 
program. 
(c) USES OF FUNDS.—A community college receiving 
a grant under this section shall use such funds to develop 
best practices in instruction and instructor training with 
respect to education and workforce training programs car-
ried out pursuant to section 5. Such funds may be used 
by the community college to cover any costs associated 
with the development of the best practices, including— 
(1) instructor salaries; and 
(2) the purchase of equipment and supplies. 
SEC. 7. SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT. 
Funds made available under this Act shall be used 
to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, 
and local funds that would otherwise be expended to carry 
out activities under this Act. 
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SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; RESERVA-
TION. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 to carry 
out this Act for fiscal year 2012 and for each of the suc-
ceeding 4 fiscal years. 
(b) RESERVATION.—Of the amount appropriated 
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, 15 percent shall be 
made available to carry out section 6 for such fiscal year. 
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act: 
(1) ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FIELDS.—The term 
‘‘alternative energy fields’’ means solar, wind, geo-
thermal, and energy efficiency fields. 
(2) CAREER
PATHWAYS.—The term ‘‘career 
pathways’’ means a clear sequence of coursework 
and credentials enabling career development in a 
particular field that assists individuals of varying 
skill levels to enter and progress in jobs in that field. 
(3) COMMUNITY COLLEGE.—The term ‘‘commu-
nity college’’ means a public institution of higher 
education at which the highest degree that is pre-
dominantly awarded to students is an associate’s de-
gree. 
(4) DISLOCATED
WORKER.—The term ‘‘dis-
located worker’’ has the meaning given the term in 
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section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 
1998. 
(5) ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
FIELDS.—The term 
‘‘energy efficiency fields’’ means energy efficiency 
auditing for residential and commercial structures 
and energy efficiency retrofit for residential and 
commercial structures. 
(6) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(7) LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD.— 
The term ‘‘local workforce investment board’’ refers 
to the term in section 117 of the Workforce Invest-
ment Act of 1998. 
(8) LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL.—The term ‘‘low- 
income’’ individual means an individual from a fam-
ily whose taxable income for the preceding year did 
not exceed 150 percent an amount equal to the pov-
erty level determined by using criteria of poverty es-
tablished by the Bureau of the Census. 
(9) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
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(10) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 
means the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of 
Labor. 
(11) VOCATIONAL SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘voca-
tional school’’ means— 
(A) a specialized public secondary school 
used exclusively or principally for the provision 
of career and technical education to individuals 
who are available for study in preparation for 
entering the labor market; or 
(B) the department of a public secondary 
school exclusively or principally used for pro-
viding career and technical education in not 
fewer than 5 different occupational fields to in-
dividuals who are available for study in prepa-
ration for entering the labor market. 
Æ 
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