In the last two years, the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress have taken significant action to address the climate crisis by increasing investments in the clean energy industry. Investments in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have increased the demand for workers who can fill roles in a range of clean energy occupations, from manufacturing workers building wind turbines or solar panels to HVAC installers putting in heat pumps. This need creates an opportunity for millions of Americans to start stable careers that pay a living wage without having to earn a four-year college degree. In addition, new investments in clean energy infrastructure will be spread out across the country and present an opportunity to more intentionally employ women and people of color in the energy sector and the skilled building trades where they have been historically underrepresented.
To explore clean energy workforce development, the Joint Economic Committee will hold a hearing titled “Growing the Economy Of the Future: Job Training For the Clean Energy Transition” on Wednesday September 20, 2023 at 2:15 PM EST. The hearing will be held in the Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216.
Chairman Martin Heinrich will preside.
Read Chairman Heinrich's opening statement
Witnesses:
Business Manager, U.A. Local Union No. 412
Albuquerque, New Mexico
President, Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Senior Fellow, Economic Policy Innovation Center
Former Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Washington, DC
President, American Action Forum
Former Director, Congressional Budget Office
Washington, DC
