Protecting Workers for a Clean Future Act
Bill: H.R.1817 | Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
Protecting Workers for a Clean Future Act
This bill requires the Department of Labor to provide grants to local governments for developing a plan to transition workers from employment in fossil fuel industries to employment in sustainable industries (e.g., manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and renewable energy). Grant funds may be used to develop a transition plan, support an existing or new apprenticeship program, or train individuals who are new to the workforce in sustainable industries.
The bill also establishes within Labor the National Employment Corps. The corps must provide grants to local and Tribal governments to provide direct employment projects for workers not successfully transitioned to employment in a sustainable industry.

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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