42 USC 18744 - 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board

Collapse to view only § 18744. 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board

§ 18741. Battery processing and manufacturing
§ 18742. Advanced energy manufacturing and recycling grant program
§ 18743. Critical minerals mining and recycling research
§ 18744. 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board

§ 18741. Battery processing and manufacturing

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Advanced battery

(2) Advanced battery component

(A) In general

(B) Inclusions

(3) Battery material

(4) Eligible entity

(5) Foreign entity of concernThe term “foreign entity of concern” means a foreign entity that is—

(A) designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of State under section 1189(a) of title 8;

(B) included on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury (commonly known as the “SDN list”);

(C) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a foreign country that is a covered nation (as defined in section 2533c(d) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of title 10);

(D) alleged by the Attorney General to have been involved in activities for which a conviction was obtained under—

(i) chapter 37 of title 18 (commonly known as the “Espionage Act”);

(ii) section 951 or 1030 of title 18;

(iii) chapter 90 of title 18 (commonly known as the “Economic Espionage Act of 1996”);

(iv) the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.);

(v) section 224, 225, 226, 227, or 236 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2274, 2275, 2276, 2277, and 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “or”.

2284);

(vi) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.); or

(vii) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or

(E) determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, to be engaged in unauthorized conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States.

(6) Manufacturing

(7) Processing

(8) Recycling

(b) Battery material processing grants

(1) In general

(2) PurposesThe purposes of the program are—

(A) to ensure that the United States has a viable battery materials processing industry to supply the North American battery supply chain;

(B) to expand the capabilities of the United States in advanced battery manufacturing;

(C) to enhance national security by reducing the reliance of the United States on foreign competitors for critical materials and technologies; and

(D) to enhance the domestic processing capacity of minerals necessary for battery materials and advanced batteries.

(3) Grants

(A) In generalUnder the program, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities—

(i) to carry out 1 or more demonstration projects in the United States for the processing of battery materials;

(ii) to construct 1 or more new commercial-scale battery material processing facilities in the United States; and

(iii) to retool, retrofit, or expand 1 or more existing battery material processing facilities located in the United States and determined qualified by the Secretary.

(B) Amount limitationThe amount of a grant awarded under the program shall be not less than—

(i) $50,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(i);

(ii) $100,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and

(iii) $50,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(iii).

(ii) take into consideration whether a project—(I) provides workforce opportunities in low- and moderate-income communities;(II) encourages partnership with universities and laboratories to spur innovation and drive down costs;(III) partners with Indian Tribes; and(IV) takes into account—(aa) greenhouse gas emissions reductions and energy efficient battery material processing opportunities throughout the manufacturing process; and(bb) supply chain logistics.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Purpose

(3) Grants

(A) In generalUnder the program, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities—

(i) to carry out 1 or more demonstration projects for advanced battery component manufacturing, advanced battery manufacturing, and recycling;

(ii) to construct 1 or more new commercial-scale advanced battery component manufacturing, advanced battery manufacturing, or recycling facilities in the United States; and

(iii) to retool, retrofit, or expand 1 or more existing facilities located in the United States and determined qualified by the Secretary for advanced battery component manufacturing, advanced battery manufacturing, and recycling.

(B) Amount limitationThe amount of a grant awarded under the program shall be not less than—

(i) $50,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(i);

(ii) $100,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and

(iii) $50,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 1 or more projects described in subparagraph (A)(iii).

(i) give priority to an eligible entity that—(I) is located and operates in the United States;(II) is owned by a United States entity;(III) deploys North American-owned intellectual property and span;(IV) represents consortia or industry partnerships; and(V)(aa) if the eligible entity will use the grant for advanced battery component manufacturing, will not use battery material supplied by or originating from a foreign entity of concern; or(bb) if the eligible entity will use the grant for battery recycling, will not export recovered critical materials to a foreign entity of concern; and

(ii) take into consideration whether a project—(I) provides workforce opportunities in low- and moderate-income or rural communities;(II) provides workforce opportunities in communities that have lost jobs due to the displacements of fossil energy jobs;(III) encourages partnership with universities and laboratories to spur innovation and drive down costs;(IV) partners with Indian Tribes;(V) takes into account—(aa) greenhouse gas emissions reductions and energy efficient battery material processing opportunities throughout the manufacturing process; and(bb) supply chain logistics; and(VI) utilizes feedstock produced in the United States.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

(d) Reporting requirementsNot later than 1 year after November 15, 2021, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the grant programs established under subsections (b) and (c), including, with respect to each grant program, a description of—

(1) the number of grant applications received;

(2) the number of grants awarded and the amount of each award;

(3) the purpose and status of each project carried out using a grant; and

(4) any other information the Secretary determines necessary.

(e) Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize Competition

(1) In general

(2) Authorization of appropriations for pilot projects

(A) In general

(B) Use of fundsThe Secretary may use amounts made available under subparagraph (A)—

(i) to increase the number of winners of Phase III of the competition;

(ii) to increase the amount awarded to each winner of Phase III of the competition; and

(iii) to carry out any other activity that is consistent with the goals of Phase III of the competition, as determined by the Secretary.

(f) Battery and critical mineral recycling

(1) DefinitionsIn this subsection:

(A) Administrator

(B) BatteryThe term “battery” means a device that—

(i) consists of 1 or more electrochemical cells that are electrically connected; and

(ii) is designed to store and deliver electric energy.

(C) Battery producerThe term “battery producer” means, with respect to a covered battery or covered battery-containing product that is sold, offered for sale, or distributed for sale in the United States, including through retail, wholesale, business-to-business, and online sale, the following applicable entity:

(i) A person who—(I) manufactures the covered battery or covered battery-containing product; and(II) sells or offers for sale the covered battery or covered battery-containing product under the brand of that person.

(ii) If there is no person described in clause (i) with respect to the covered battery or covered battery-containing product, the owner or licensee of the brand under which the covered battery or covered battery-containing product is sold, offered for sale, or distributed, regardless of whether the trademark of the brand is registered.

(iii) If there is no person described in clause (i) or (ii) with respect to the covered battery or covered battery-containing product, a person that imports the covered battery or covered battery-containing product into the United States for sale or distribution.

(D) Covered battery

(E) Covered battery-containing product

(F) Critical mineral

(G) Primary battery

(H) Rechargeable battery

(i) In generalThe term “rechargeable battery” means a battery that—(I) contains 1 or more voltaic or galvanic cells that are electrically connected to produce electric energy;(II) is designed to be recharged;(III) weighs not more than 11 pounds; and(IV) has a watt-hour rating of not more than 300 watt-hours.

(ii) ExclusionsThe term “rechargeable battery” does not include a battery that—(I) contains electrolyte as a free liquid; or(II) employs lead-acid technology, unless that battery is sealed and does not contain electrolyte as a free liquid.

(I) RecyclingThe term “recycling” means the series of activities—

(i) during which recyclable materials are processed into specification-grade commodities, and consumed as raw-material feedstock, in lieu of virgin materials, in the manufacturing of new products;

(ii) that may include collection, processing, and brokering; and

(iii) that result in subsequent consumption by a materials manufacturer, including for the manufacturing of new products.

(2) Battery recycling research, development, and demonstration grants

(A) In generalThe Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, shall award multiyear grants to eligible entities for research, development, and demonstration projects to create innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of batteries, including by addressing—

(i) recycling activities;

(ii) the development of methods to promote the design and production of batteries that take into full account and facilitate the dismantling, reuse, recovery, and recycling of battery components and materials;

(iii) strategies to increase consumer acceptance of, and participation in, the recycling of batteries;

(iv) the extraction or recovery of critical minerals from batteries that are recycled;

(v) the integration of increased quantities of recycled critical minerals in batteries and other products to develop markets for recycled battery materials and critical minerals;

(vi) safe disposal of waste materials and components recovered during the recycling process;

(vii) the protection of the health and safety of all persons involved in, or in proximity to, recycling and reprocessing activities, including communities located near recycling and materials reprocessing facilities;

(viii) mitigation of environmental impacts that arise from recycling batteries, including disposal of toxic reagents and byproducts related to recycling processes;

(ix) protection of data privacy associated with collected covered battery-containing products;

(x) the optimization of the value of material derived from recycling batteries; and

(xi) the cost-effectiveness and benefits of the reuse and recycling of batteries and critical minerals.

(B) Eligible entitiesThe Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, may award a grant under subparagraph (A) to—

(i) an institution of higher education;

(ii) a National Laboratory;

(iii) a Federal research agency;

(iv) a State research agency;

(v) a nonprofit organization;

(vi) an industrial entity;

(vii) a manufacturing entity;

(viii) a private battery-collection entity;

(ix) an entity operating 1 or more battery recycling activities;

(x) a State or municipal government entity;

(xi) a battery producer;

(xii) a battery retailer; or

(xiii) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in clauses (i) through (xii).

(i) In general

(ii) ContentsAn application submitted under clause (i) shall describe how the project will promote collaboration among—(I) battery producers and manufacturers;(II) battery material and equipment manufacturers;(III) battery recyclers, collectors, and refiners; and(IV) retailers.

(D) Authorization of appropriations

(3) State and local programs

(A) In general

(B) Non-Federal cost share

(D) Authorization of appropriations

(4) Retailers as collection points

(A) In general

(B) Collection systemA system described in subparagraph (A) shall include take-back of covered batteries—

(i) at no cost to the consumer; and

(ii) on a regular, convenient, and accessible basis.

(5) Task force on producer responsibilities

(A) In generalThe Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, shall convene a task force to develop an extended battery producer responsibility framework that—

(i) addresses battery recycling goals, cost structures for mandatory recycling, reporting requirements, product design, collection models, and transportation of collected materials;

(ii) provides sufficient flexibility to allow battery producers to determine cost-effective strategies for compliance with the framework; and

(iii) outlines regulatory pathways for effective recycling.

(B) Task force membersMembers of the task force convened under subparagraph (A) shall include—

(i) battery producers, manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and collectors or processors;

(ii) States and municipalities; and

(iii) other relevant stakeholders, such as environmental, energy, or consumer organizations, as determined by the Secretary.

(C) ReportNot later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary, in coordination with Administrator, convenes the task force under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that—

(i) describes the extended producer responsibility framework developed by the task force;

(ii) includes the recommendations of the task force on how best to implement a mandatory pay-in or other enforcement mechanism to ensure that battery producers and sellers are contributing to the recycling of batteries; and

(iii) suggests regulatory pathways for effective recycling.

(6) Effect on Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40207, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 963.)

§ 18742. Advanced energy manufacturing and recycling grant program

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Advanced energy propertyThe term “advanced energy property” means—

(A) property designed to be used to produce energy from the sun, water, wind, geothermal or hydrothermal (as those terms are defined in section 17191 of this title) resources, enhanced geothermal systems (as defined in that section), or other renewable resources;

(B) fuel cells, microturbines, or energy storage systems and components;

(D) property designed to capture, remove, use, or sequester carbon oxide emissions;

(E) equipment designed to refine, electrolyze, or blend any fuel, chemical, or product that is—

(i) renewable; or

(ii) low-carbon and low-emission;

(F) property designed to produce energy conservation technologies (including for residential, commercial, and industrial applications);

(G)

(i) light-, medium-, or heavy-duty electric or fuel cell vehicles, electric or fuel cell locomotives, electric or fuel cell maritime vessels, or electric or fuel cell planes;

(ii) technologies, components, and materials of those vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels, or planes; and

(iii) charging or refueling infrastructure associated with those vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels, or planes;

(H)

(i) hybrid vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 14,000 pounds; and

(ii) technologies, components, and materials for those vehicles; and

(I) other advanced energy property designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as may be determined by the Secretary.

(2) Covered census tractThe term “covered census tract” means a census tract—

(A) in which, after December 31, 1999, a coal mine had closed;

(B) in which, after December 31, 2009, a coal-fired electricity generating unit had been retired; or

(3) Eligible entityThe term “eligible entity” means a manufacturing firm—

(A) the gross annual sales of which are less than $100,000,000;

(B) that has fewer than 500 employees at the plant site of the manufacturing firm; and

(4) Minority-ownedThe term “minority-owned”, with respect to an eligible entity, means an eligible entity not less than 51 percent of which is owned by 1 or more individuals who are—

(A) citizens of the United States; and

(B) Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, African American, Hispanic, Puerto Rican, Native American, or Alaska Native.

(5) Program

(6) Qualifying advanced energy projectThe term “qualifying advanced energy project” means a project that—

(A)

(i) re-equips, expands, or establishes a manufacturing or recycling facility for the production or recycling, as applicable, of advanced energy property; or

(ii) re-equips an industrial or manufacturing facility with equipment designed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of that facility substantially below the greenhouse gas emissions under current best practices, as determined by the Secretary, through the installation of—(I) low- or zero-carbon process heat systems;(II) carbon capture, transport, utilization, and storage systems;(III) technology relating to energy efficiency and reduction in waste from industrial processes; or(IV) any other industrial technology that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Secretary;

(B) has a reasonable expectation of commercial viability, as determined by the Secretary; and

(b) Establishment

(1) In general

(2) Selection criteria

(A) ProjectsIn selecting eligible entities to receive grants under the Program, the Secretary shall, with respect to the qualifying advanced energy projects proposed by the eligible entities, give higher priority to projects that—

(i) will provide higher net impact in avoiding or reducing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases;

(ii) will result in a higher level of domestic job creation (both direct and indirect) during the lifetime of the project;

(iii) will result in a higher level of job creation in the vicinity of the project, particularly with respect to—(I) low-income communities (as described in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); and(II) dislocated workers who were previously employed in manufacturing, coal power plants, or coal mining;

(iv) have higher potential for technological innovation and commercial deployment;

(v) have a lower levelized cost of—(I) generated or stored energy; or(II) measured reduction in energy consumption or greenhouse gas emission (based on costs of the full supply chain); and

(vi) have a shorter project time.

(B) Eligible entities

(d) Project completion and location; return of unobligated funds

(1) Completion; return of unobligated fundsAn eligible entity that receives a grant under the Program shall be required—

(A) to complete the qualifying advanced energy project funded by the grant not later than 3 years after the date of receipt of the grant funds; and

(B) to return to the Secretary any grant funds that remain unobligated at the end of that 3-year period.

(2) Location

(e) Technical assistance

(1) In general

(2) Applications

(3) Factors for consideration

(f) Publication of grants

(g) ReportNot later than 4 years after November 15, 2021, the Secretary shall—

(1) review the grants awarded under the Program; and

(2) submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report describing those grants.

(h) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40209, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 975.)

§ 18743. Critical minerals mining and recycling research

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Critical mineral

(2) Critical minerals and metals

(3) Director

(4) End-to-end

(5) Foreign entity of concernThe term “foreign entity of concern” means a foreign entity that is—

(A) designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of State under section 1189(a) of title 8;

(B) included on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury (commonly known as the SDN list);

(C) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a foreign country that is a covered nation (as defined in section 2533c(d) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of title 10);

(D) alleged by the Attorney General to have been involved in activities for which a conviction was obtained under—

(i) chapter 37 of title 18 (commonly known as the “Espionage Act”);

(ii) section 951 or 1030 of title 18;

(iii) chapter 90 of title 18 (commonly known as the “Economic Espionage Act of 1996)”;

(iv) the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.);

(v) section 224, 225, 226, 227, or 236 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2274, 2275, 2276, 2277, and 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “or”.

2284);

(vi) the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.); or

(vii) the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); or

(E) determined by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, to be engaged in unauthorized conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States.

(6) Foundation

(7) Institution of higher education

(8) National Laboratory

(9) Recycling

(10) Secondary recovery

(b) Critical minerals mining and recycling research and development

(1) In generalIn order to support supply chain resiliency, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director, shall issue awards, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) to support basic research that will accelerate innovation to advance critical minerals mining, recycling, and reclamation strategies and technologies for the purposes of—

(A) making better use of domestic resources; and

(B) eliminating national reliance on minerals and mineral materials that are subject to supply disruptions.

(2) Eligible entitiesEntities eligible to receive an award under paragraph (1) are the following:

(A) Institutions of higher education.

(B) National Laboratories.

(D) Consortia of entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (C), including consortia that collaborate with private industry.

(3) Use of fundsActivities funded by an award under this section may include—

(A) advancing mining research and development activities to develop new mapping and mining technologies and techniques, including advanced critical mineral extraction and production—

(i) to improve existing, or to develop new, supply chains of critical minerals; and

(ii) to yield more efficient, economical, and environmentally benign mining practices;

(B) advancing critical mineral processing research activities to improve separation, alloying, manufacturing, or recycling techniques and technologies that can decrease the energy intensity, waste, potential environmental impact, and costs of those activities;

(C) advancing research and development of critical minerals mining and recycling technologies that take into account the potential end-uses and disposal of critical minerals, in order to improve end-to-end integration of mining and technological applications;

(D) conducting long-term earth observation of reclaimed mine sites, including the study of the evolution of microbial diversity at those sites;

(E) examining the application of artificial intelligence for geological exploration of critical minerals, including what size and diversity of data sets would be required;

(F) examining the application of machine learning for detection and sorting of critical minerals, including what size and diversity of data sets would be required;

(G) conducting detailed isotope studies of critical minerals and the development of more refined geologic models; or

(H) providing training and research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students to prepare the next generation of mining engineers and researchers.

(1) In general

(2) PurposesThe purposes of the Subcommittee shall be—

(A) to advise and assist the National Science and Technology Council, including the Committee on Homeland and National Security of the National Science and Technology Council, on United States policies, procedures, and plans relating to critical minerals, including—

(i) Federal research, development, and deployment efforts to optimize methods for extractions, concentration, separation, and purification of conventional, secondary, and unconventional sources of critical minerals, including research that prioritizes end-to-end integration of mining and recycling techniques and the end-use target for critical minerals;

(ii) efficient use and reuse of critical minerals, including recycling technologies for critical minerals and the reclamation of critical minerals from components, such as spent batteries;

(iii) addressing the technology transitions between research or lab-scale mining and recycling and commercialization of these technologies;

(iv) the critical minerals workforce of the United States; and

(v) United States private industry investments in innovation and technology transfer from federally funded science and technology;

(B) to identify emerging opportunities, stimulate international cooperation, and foster the development of secure and reliable supply chains of critical minerals, including activities relating to the reuse of critical minerals via recycling;

(D) to provide recommendations on coordination and collaboration among the research, development, and deployment programs and activities of Federal agencies to promote a secure and reliable supply of critical minerals necessary to maintain national security, economic well-being, and industrial production.

(3) ResponsibilitiesIn carrying out paragraphs (1) and (2), the Subcommittee may, taking into account the findings and recommendations of relevant advisory committees—

(A) provide recommendations on how Federal agencies may improve the topographic, geologic, and geophysical mapping of the United States and improve the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of the resulting and existing data, to the extent permitted by law and subject to appropriate limitation for purposes of privacy and security;

(B) assess the progress toward developing critical minerals recycling and reprocessing technologies;

(C) assess the end-to-end lifecycle of critical minerals, including for mining, usage, recycling, and end-use material and technology requirements;

(D) examine, and provide recommendations for, options for accessing and developing critical minerals through investment and trade with allies and partners of the United States;

(E) evaluate and provide recommendations to incentivize the development and use of advances in science and technology in the private industry;

(F) assess the need for, and make recommendations to address, the challenges the United States critical minerals supply chain workforce faces, including—

(i) aging and retiring personnel and faculty;

(ii) public perceptions about the nature of mining and mineral processing; and

(iii) foreign competition for United States talent;

(G) develop, and update as necessary, a strategic plan to guide Federal programs and activities to enhance—

(i) scientific and technical capabilities across critical mineral supply chains, including a roadmap that identifies key research and development needs and coordinates ongoing activities for source diversification, more efficient use, recycling, and substitution for critical minerals; and

(ii) cross-cutting mining science, data science techniques, materials science, manufacturing science and engineering, computational modeling, and environmental health and safety research and development; and

(H) report to the appropriate committees of Congress on activities and findings under this subsection.

(4) Mandatory responsibilities

(d) Grant program for processing of critical minerals and development of critical minerals and metals

(1) EstablishmentThe Secretary, in consultation with the Director, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Commerce, shall establish a grant program to finance pilot projects for—

(A) the processing or recycling of critical minerals in the United States; or

(B) the development of critical minerals and metals in the United States

(2) Limitation on grant awards

(3) Economic viability

(4) Secondary recovery

(5) Domestic priority

(6) Prohibition on processing by foreign entity of concern

(7) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40210, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 978.)

§ 18744. 21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish a board, to be known as the “21st Century Energy Workforce Advisory Board”, to develop a strategy for the Department that, with respect to the role of the Department in the support and development of a skilled energy workforce—

(1) meets the current and future industry and labor needs of the energy sector;

(2) provides opportunities for students to become qualified for placement in traditional energy sector and emerging energy sector jobs;

(3) identifies areas in which the Department can effectively utilize the technical expertise of the Department to support the workforce activities of other Federal agencies;

(4) strengthens and engages the workforce training programs of the Department and the National Laboratories in carrying out the Equity in Energy Initiative of the Department and other Department workforce priorities;

(5) develops plans to support and retrain displaced and unemployed energy sector workers; and

(6) prioritizes education and job training for underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, Indian Tribes, women, veterans, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.

(b) Membership

(1) In general

(2) Requirement

(3) QualificationsEach individual appointed to the Board under paragraph (1) shall have expertise in—

(A) the field of economics or workforce development;

(B) relevant traditional energy industries or emerging energy industries, including energy efficiency;

(D) energy workforce development or apprenticeship programs of States or units of local government;

(E) relevant organized labor organizations; or

(F) bringing underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, into the workforce.

(1) Determination by BoardIn developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Board shall—

(A) determine whether there are opportunities to more effectively and efficiently use the capabilities of the Department in the development of a skilled energy workforce;

(B) identify ways in which the Department could work with other relevant Federal agencies, States, units of local government, institutions of higher education, labor organizations, Indian Tribes and tribal organizations, and industry in the development of a skilled energy workforce, subject to applicable law;

(i) increase outreach to minority-serving institutions; and

(ii) make resources available to increase the number of skilled minorities and women trained to go into the energy and energy-related manufacturing sectors;

(iii) increase outreach to displaced and unemployed energy sector workers; and

(iv) make resources available to provide training to displaced and unemployed energy sector workers to reenter the energy workforce; and

(D)

(i) identify the energy sectors in greatest need of workforce training; and

(ii) in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, develop recommendations for the skills necessary to develop a workforce trained to work in those energy sectors.

(2) Required analysisIn developing the strategy required under subsection (a), the Board shall analyze the effectiveness of—

(A) existing Department-directed support; and

(B) existing energy workforce training programs.

(3) Report

(A) In generalNot later than 1 year after the date on which the Board is established under this section, and biennially thereafter until the date on which the Board is terminated under subsection (f), the Board shall submit to the Secretary a report containing, with respect to the strategy required under subsection (a)—

(i) the findings of the Board; and

(ii) the proposed energy workforce strategy of the Board.

(B) Response of the SecretaryNot later than 90 days after the date on which a report is submitted to the Secretary under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—

(i) submit to the Board a response to the report that—(I) describes whether the Secretary approves or disapproves of each recommendation of the Board under subparagraph (A); and(II) if the Secretary approves of a recommendation, provides an implementation plan for the recommendation; and

(ii) submit to Congress—(I) the report of the Board under subparagraph (A); and(II) the response of the Secretary under clause (i).

(i) In general(I) the date on which the Board receives the response of the Secretary under subparagraph (B)(i); and(II) the date that is 90 days after the date on which the Board submitted the report to the Secretary.

(ii) Requirement

(d) Report by the SecretaryNot later than 180 days before the date of expiration of a term of the Board under subsection (f), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Energy and Natural Resources and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that—

(1) describes the effectiveness and accomplishments of the Board during the applicable term;

(2) contains a determination of the Secretary as to whether the Board should be renewed; and

(3) if the Secretary determines that the Board should be renewed, any recommendations as to whether and how the scope and functions of the Board should be modified.

(e) Outreach to minority-serving institutions, veterans, and displaced and unemployed energy workersIn developing the strategy under subsection (a), the Board shall—

(1) give special consideration to increasing outreach to minority-serving institutions, veterans, and displaced and unemployed energy workers;

(2) make resources available to—

(A) minority-serving institutions, with the objective of increasing the number of skilled minorities and women trained to go into the energy and manufacturing sectors;

(B) institutions that serve veterans, with the objective of increasing the number veterans in the energy industry by ensuring that veterans have the credentials and training necessary to secure careers in the energy industry; and

(C) institutions that serve displaced and unemployed energy workers to increase the number of individuals trained for jobs in the energy industry;

(3) encourage the energy industry to improve the opportunities for students of minority-serving institutions, veterans, and displaced and unemployed energy workers to participate in internships, preapprenticeships, apprenticeships, and cooperative work-study programs in the energy industry; and

(4) work with the National Laboratories to increase the participation of underrepresented groups, veterans, and displaced and unemployed energy workers in internships, fellowships, training programs, and employment at the National Laboratories.

(f) Term

(1) In general

(2) Extensions

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40211, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 983.)