Patrick Administration Solicits Proposals for New Energy Efficiency Skills Training Initiative

Clean Energy Center seeks multi-disciplinary consortium to develop and deliver energy efficiency workforce training in at least three locations across the state

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is offering nearly $1.9 million in competitive grants for programs to develop, train and maintain a cutting edge workforce that will enable Massachusetts to wring every available dollar of energy savings from homes, businesses, and public buildings across the state, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles announced today.

Funded with a portion of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), as well as other Clean Energy Center funds, the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency and Building Science Training Initiative will ensure that Massachusetts has the quantity and quality of workers needed to reach Governor Patrick’s ambitious energy efficiency goals. The Initiative also enables the Commonwealth to capitalize on the new opportunities created by federal stimulus funding, which heavily targets home weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades of public buildings. It will nurture the growth of a major new industry by training energy auditors and installers of energy-saving measures such as insulation, high-efficiency lighting, programmable thermostats, and low-flow faucets and showerheads.

“With everyone looking for ways to save money on their energy bills and the Commonwealth poised for an infusion of federal funds for energy efficiency investments, we need to prepare our workforce for a great new opportunity,” Secretary Bowles said. “This new Initiative will help to build a world-class energy efficiency business sector in Massachusetts, and that means great things for the state’s economy, consumers’ wallets, and the quality of our environment.”

The Green Communities Act, the comprehensive energy reform legislation enacted last year, requires vast expansion of energy efficiency investment through utility-administered programs, and the Winter Energy Costs Task Force established by Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and then-House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi called for a doubling of energy efficiency programs for next year. Some $5.9 million of the proceeds from the first two RGGI allowance auctions have been set aside to fund expanded 2008 utility efficiency programs approved by the Department of Public Utilities, and further proposals for expansion in 2009 are now pending at the DPU, to be funded by the proceeds from four RGGI allowance auctions scheduled for this year.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in reducing energy costs is the capacity of existing energy efficiency vendors to grow at a rapid pace,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Philip Giudice. “This initiative will address the shortage of skilled workers in the energy efficiency field, and provide opportunities for Massachusetts residents to qualify for jobs in a growing industry.”

Created by the Green Jobs Act signed into law by Governor Patrick in August, the Clean Energy Center is charged with fostering growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through seed grants to companies, universities, and nonprofits; job training programs; and workforce development grants such as those announced today. Through a Request for Responses (RFR) posted on www.comm-pass.comthis week, the Clean Energy Center hopes to attract a consortium of organizations to use $1.875 million in grant funds to operate at least three regional training sites across the state. Successful bidders will create a central clearinghouse for development and maintenance of energy efficiency training materials and activities, and provide assistance for new and existing energy efficiency businesses seeking to expand.

“The Energy Efficiency Skills Initiative will build on an energy efficiency sector that is already expanding thanks to requirements of the Green Communities Act,” said Patrick Cloney, interim Executive Director of the Clean Energy Center. “The new effort will fill existing gaps in workforce size and development, enabling Massachusetts to take advantage of all available opportunities to save energy and money for consumers and businesses.”

Applicants are encouraged to respond to the RFR in collaborative teams comprising entities such as workforce training companies, vocational high schools, community colleges, community-based non-profit groups, professional and trade organizations, energy service companies, building contractor associations and electric utility companies. The Clean Energy Center envisions groups of applicants teaming up to establish and continuously deliver energy efficiency training programs applicable to all types of buildings, maintain a pool of qualified instructors, establish a network of geographically-distinct training sites, and provide business management assistance.

Grant applications are due to the Clean Energy Center by April 24, 2009 for programs that are expected to begin in summer of 2009.