On June 10, 2008, House Republican leaders introduced the Green Jobs Improvement Act (H.R.6220). If passed, the bill would amend recently enacted legislation to make non-union training programs eligible for federal funding under the “Green Jobs” program. 

The Green Jobs Act, authorized under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, created the Green Jobs program, which provides funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training programs. The law currently restricts participation in the Green Jobs program to entities that partner with labor organizations. The proposed legislation would remove this eligibility requirement, opening the energy-oriented training funding to a broader range of employers and training partners. Under the proposed language, the scope of participation would include “industry and may include workforce investment boards, community-based organizations, qualified service and conservation corps, educational institutions, small businesses, public employers, cooperatives, State and local veterans agencies, veterans service organizations, and labor organizations, including joint labor-management training programs.”

Rep. John Kline (R-MN) offered the bill, which was referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. As of June 18, 2008, all 38 of the bill’s co-sponsors are Republicans.