Solis’ Green Jobs Act Signed Into Law
Press release from Rep. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte:
Solis’ Green Jobs Act Signed Into Law As Part of Comprehensive Energy Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, President Bush signed into law The Green Jobs Act of 2007, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) to train workers for “green” collar jobs – such as energy efficiency retrofit and service, green building construction, and solar panel installation. The legislation was incorporated as Title X of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act, historic energy reform legislation which will put the United States on a path toward energy independence
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“A major investment in renewable energy could create 3 million new jobs over the next 10 years. The Green Jobs Act will ensure all workers are skilled for these jobs, which offer higher wages, greater access to benefits and more career choices,” said Solis. “The bill is a message for all workers across our nation that there is a place for them in the clean energy future.”
The Green Jobs Act authorizes $125 million for work force training programs. The training will be targeted to veterans, displaced workers, at risk youth, and individuals in families under 200 percent of the federal poverty line. It could benefit programs such as the one at the East Los Angeles Skills Center where workers are trained to install solar panels.
Solis hailed enactment of the historic Energy Independence and Security Act. “This groundbreaking measure will strengthen national security, lower energy costs, grow our economy, and begin to reduce global warming. Not only will these steps reduce our dependence on foreign oil, they will save consumers billions of dollars.”
Specifically, the Energy and Independence and Security Act:
Ø Strengthens national security by increasing vehicle fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon in 2020, decreasing U.S. oil consumption by an amount more than twice our daily imports from the Persian Gulf.
Ø Reduces global warming emissions by 24 percent by 2030 through increased efficiency and other measures.
Ø Lowers energy costs for consumers.
Ø Creates hundreds of thousands of new jobs and strengthens our economy.
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