Washington, D.C. - 

Click here to watch Solis speak on the House floor

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed 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 bill was passed as part 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. 

“I’m pleased that Congress has recognized the importance of workforce training for the green economy,” said Solis.  “There is tremendous job growth potential associated with green sector jobs.  The Green Jobs Act will help train workers for jobs which offer higher wages, greater access to benefits and more career choices.”

The Green Jobs Act authorizes $125 million for workforce training programs.  The training will be targeted to veterans, displaced workers, at risk youth, and individuals in families under 200% 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 passage 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 Independence and Security Act:

-      increases fuel economy standard to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks;

-      establishes a plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit for individuals;

-      requires that 15 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources by 2020;

-      saves consumers hundreds of billion of dollars through landmark new energy efficiency standards for appliances, such as dishwashers and freezers; 

-      increases loan limits to help small businesses develop energy efficient technologies and purchases; and

-        repeals $13 billion in tax subsidies for big oil companies.

To be enacted into law, the Energy Independence and Security Act must be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President.

Learn more about The Energy Independence and Security Act from the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming>>

Learn more about The Energy Independence and Security Act from Speaker Pelosi's Energy Independence page>>

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