Core Provisions: On May 19, 2009, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved an amendment to the pending American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (”ACESA”) bill that, among other things, would make the Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage rate requirements applicable to construction projects that are financed in whole or in part by the guaranteed loans established by the ACESA. 

Specifically, the amendment would require any borrower receiving loans under the ACESA to provide the Secretary of Energy with “reasonable assurances that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors in the performance of construction work financed in whole or in part by the guaranteed loan” will receive wages at least equal to prevailing wages on similar projects governed by the Davis-Bacon Act.

Status: The amendment to the bill was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) on May 19, 2009, and was approved by the Committee on May 19, 2009.