Labor Department Announces $500 Million in Green Jobs Grants

On June 24, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced a new series of grant competitions that promote green jobs. These programs use federal stimulus money to target energy efficiency and renewable energy industries at all levels, from local to nationwide. "Workers receiving training through projects funded by these competitions will be at the forefront as our nation transforms the way we generate electricity, manufacture products and do business across a wide range of industries," Secretary Solis said.

Altogether, $500 million is available from five programs, which are accepting bids through early fall. The State Labor Market Information Improvement Grant dedicates $50 million to states’ workforce agencies for analyzing and disseminating information about the green jobs market. The other four programs -- Energy Training Partnership Grants, Pathways Out of Poverty Grants, State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grants, and Green Capacity Building Grants -- fund training programs and strategic planning for expanding green industries and include a portion set aside for communities impacted by auto-industry restructuring.

To download EESI’s factsheet Jobs from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency , click here .