[Senate Report 116-150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 271
116th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-150
======================================================================
21ST CENTURY ENERGY WORKFORCE ACT OF 2019
_______
October 24, 2019.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 2334]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 2334) to require the Secretary of Energy
to establish the 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board,
and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the
bill do pass.
PURPOSE
The purpose of S. 2334 is to require the Secretary of
Energy (Secretary) to establish the 21st Century Energy
Workforce Advisory Board.
BACKGROUND AND NEED
The 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (2017 employment
report) found that energy and energy efficiency industries in
the U.S. employed 6.4 million Americans in 2016. A later
industry report led by the National Association of State Energy
Officials and the Energy Futures Initiative, using the same
methodology, found that that figure had increased to 6.7
million jobs by the end of 2018.
The 2017 employment report found that 73 percent of energy-
related employers reported difficulty hiring qualified workers
over the last 12 months, and that 26 percent found it was very
difficult. As the energy sector grows increasing more diverse,
a wider variety of technical qualifications and skillsets will
be required.
The Department of Energy's (DOE or Department) second
installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review, ``Transforming
the Nation's Electricity System,'' found that workforce
retirement is a particularly large issue for the electric power
industry. According to DOE, a dip in workforce training
programs in the 1980s will result in an upper management gap
with the retirement of baby boomers. The 2017 employment report
also noted that energy employment is less diverse than other
industries, with women representing 22 to 34 percent of
workforce, compared to the U.S. average of 47 percent.
Traditionally, DOE's role in workforce development has
focused on research investments that support students,
universities, and the national laboratories. DOE operates a
Jobs Strategy Council that has several programs related to
workforce development, including a variety of programs
dedicated to supporting veterans. The Department also sponsors
scholarships and funding for K-12 education through
postdoctoral fellowships. Each national laboratory also has an
outreach program dedicated to education and workforce
development.
S. 2334, the 21st Century Energy Workforce Act would create
an advisory board and grant program to ensure the U.S. energy
industry has a skilled and diverse workforce.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 2334 was introduced by Senators Cantwell and Hirono on
July 30, 2019.
Similar legislation, H.R. 398, was introduced in the House
of Representatives by Representative Norcross on January 9,
2019, and referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
In the 115th Congress, a similar measure was included in S.
1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017. S. 1460 was
introduced by Senators Murkowski and Cantwell on June 28, 2017,
and placed directly on the Legislative Calendar (Cal. 162).
Senators Cantwell and Hirono also introduced nearly identical
legislation, S. 2449, on February 15, 2018.
Related legislation, H.R. 1837, was introduced in the House
of Representatives by Representative Norcross on March 30,
2017, and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce.
In the 114th Congress, Senator Cantwell introduced similar
legislation, S.1304, on May 12, 2015. The Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on S. 1304 on May
19, 2015. A similar measure was included in S. 2012, the Energy
Policy Modernization Act of 2016. An original bill, S. 2012 was
reported by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on
July 30, 2015, and passed by the Senate, as amended, on April
26, 2016, by a vote of 85-12.
Related legislation, H.R. 3386, was introduced in the House
of Representatives by Representative Norcross on July 29, 2015,
and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met in
open business session on September 25, 2019, and ordered S.
2334 favorably reported.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in
open business session on September 25, 2019, by a majority
voice vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass
S. 2334. Senators Barrasso, Risch, and Lee asked to be recorded
as voting no.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 sets forth the short title of the bill.
Sec. 2. Definitions
Section 2 provides key definitions.
Sec. 3. 21st century energy workforce advisory board
Section 3(a) requires the Secretary of Energy to establish
the 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board (Board) to
develop a strategy for the support and development of a skilled
energy workforce.
Subsection (b) specifies that the Board shall have nine
members, to be appointed by the Secretary within one year of
enactment. Within this timeframe, the President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology shall nominate at least 18
qualified individuals for the Board positions. This subsection
further specifies that the relevant qualifications include
eminence in the field of economics or workforce development or
expertise in the energy industry; education; energy workforce;
organized labor organizations; or bringing in underrepresented
groups into the workforce.
Subsection (c) details the Board's requirements in
developing a strategy pursuant to subsection (a). The Board
must determine how to more effectively and efficiently use DOE
and other Federal agencies in the development of a skilled
energy workforce; identify ways DOE can work with other Federal
agencies, States, local governments, educational institutions,
labor, and industry in workforce development; identify ways DOE
and the National Laboratories can increase opportunities for
minorities, women, and displaced energy sector workers; and
identify the energy sectors in greatest need of workforce
training and develop workforce training guidelines. The
subsection also directs the Board to provide a public report to
the Secretary and Congress, within one year of the Board's
establishment and annually thereafter, of its findings and
model energy curricula.
Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to provide a report
to Congress describing the Secretary's approval or disapproval
of the Board's recommendations. The report is to provide an
implementation plan, if applicable, and is due within 18 months
of the Board's establishment.
Subsection (e) requires the Secretary to establish a
clearinghouse based on the Board's recommendations, in order to
maintain information and resources on energy and manufacturing
workforce development.
Subsection (f) requires the Board to conduct outreach and
make resources available to minority-serving institutions.
Subsection (g) specifies that the Board will sunset on
September 30, 2024.
Sec. 4. Energy workforce pilot grant program
Section 4(a) directs the Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretaries of Labor and Education, to establish an energy
workforce pilot program to award grants on a competitive basis
to eligible entities for job training programs that lead to an
industry-recognized credential.
Subsection (b) defines the eligibility for the grant
program.
Subsection (c) requires entities desiring a grant under the
program to submit an application to the Secretary.
Subsection (d) requires the Secretary, in selecting grant
awardees, to give priority to specific applicants.
Subsection (e) requires the Secretary to consider regional
diversity.
Subsection (f) limits the number of submissions from any
eligible entity to one per year.
Subsection (g) limits the amount of any individual grant to
$2 million per fiscal year.
Subsection (h) specifies that the Federal share of the cost
of a job training and education program carried out using a
grant under this section shall not exceed 65 percent. It also
specifies that the non-Federal share must be at least 50
percent cash and not more than 50 percent in the form of in-
kind services.
Subsection (i) requires each applicant to consult with
other Federal agencies and relevant State and local programs to
reduce duplication.
Subsection (j) requires the Secretary to provide direct
assistance to entities that receive a grant under this section.
Subsection (k) directs the Secretary to provide technical
assistance and capacity building to national and State energy
partnerships to leverage the existing job training and
education programs of the Department.
Subsection (l) requires the Secretary to provide an annual
report to Congress outlining the activities and impact of the
pilot program.
Subsection (m) authorizes $20 million for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2024 to carry out the pilot program.
COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS
The Congressional Budget Office estimate of the costs of
this measure has been requested but was not received at the
time the report was filed. When the Congressional Budget Office
completes its cost estimate, it will be posted on the internet
at www.cbo.gov.
REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out S. 2334. The bill is not a regulatory measure in
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals
and businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the
enactment of S. 2334, as ordered reported.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING
S. 2334, as ordered reported, does not contain any
congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Executive views on S. 2334 were not requested by the
Committee.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no
changes in existing law are made by S. 2334 as ordered
reported.
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