Bill will promote workforce training in clean energy sector, assist expansion of green companies in Commonwealth
BOSTON – In an effort to grow jobs in the Commonwealth’s burgeoning clean energy sector, The House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation to encourage green start-up companies to expand in Massachusetts and provide individuals of all income levels with the job skills needed to excel in the state’s budding green economy.
“The clean energy industry stands to be a significant revenue and job generator for Massachusetts. The green jobs bill will ensure that people of all income levels can take advantage of the jobs created in this new and promising sector and encourage companies to expand their operations in the Bay State,” said Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover).
“From the outset of this legislative session, the House made energy reform its top priority. Today we add to this session’s clean energy agenda with a bill that will not only bolster our efforts to change the way we consume, produce and deliver energy in the Commonwealth but also grow jobs and provide new opportunities for our workforce,” said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi (D-Boston).
“I commend the Speaker on his continued leadership in solidifying the Commonwealth as a national leader in the green movement. His Green Communities Law is groundbreaking and will develop great demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Massachusetts. This Green Jobs bill will create the workforce and develop the industry needed to service that demand. It’s going to put thousands of people to work throughout the entire state and create sustainable economic development in an industry that has great potential for the commonwealth,” said Representative Daniel Bosley (D-North Adams), Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
The bill establishes the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to serve as the state’s lead agency to promote and develop the clean energy sector. The Center will promote workforce training in the clean energy sector and provide support to existing clean energy companies in the Commonwealth through the establishment and administration of job growth grants.
The bill establishes two types of job growth grants to be administered by the Center: Clean Energy Seed Grant and Green Jobs Initiative Grant. The Clean Energy Seed Grant will award funding to clean energy researchers and companies, non-profit and community-based organizations that seek to expand their organization and grow jobs. The Green Jobs Grant Initiative will award funding to higher education institutions and vocational technical schools to facilitate workforce development efforts.
The bill is revenue neutral. Under the bill, $43 million from the Massachusetts Alternative and Clean Energy Investment Trust Fund and $5 million from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Fund will be transferred to the Center to administer grants and facilitate economic growth. In FY09 budget, $3.95 million was allocated to fund a clean energy industry study, operations at the Center, and three different green job growth programs that will be administered by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, including the Pathways out of Poverty workforce development grant to train low and moderate income individuals for jobs in the clean energy sector.
The Center will also develop a state-wide plan for installation and operation of renewable energy generating facilities on state-owned property to advance the use of alternative energy and provide new opportunities for workforce development and training initiatives in communities across the state.
The bill now proceeds to the Senate for its consideration.
