TITLE 42 - US CODE - SUBCHAPTER XI - PERSONNEL AND TRAINING

42 USC 16411 - Workforce trends and traineeship grants

(a) Definitions 
In this section:
(1) Energy technology industry 
The term energy technology industry includes
(A) a renewable energy industry;
(B) a company that develops or commercializes a device to increase energy efficiency;
(C) the oil and gas industry;
(D) the nuclear power industry;
(E) the coal industry;
(F) the electric utility industry; and
(G) any other industrial sector, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(2) Skilled technical personnel 
The term skilled technical personnel means
(A) journey- and apprentice-level workers who are enrolled in, or have completed, a federally-recognized or State-recognized apprenticeship program; and
(B) other skilled workers in energy technology industries, as determined by the Secretary.
(b) Workforce trends 

(1) Monitoring 
The Secretary, in consultation with, and using data collected by, the Secretary of Labor, shall monitor trends in the workforce of
(A) skilled technical personnel that support energy technology industries; and
(B) electric power and transmission engineers.
(2) Report on trends 
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on current trends under paragraph (1), with recommendations (as appropriate) to meet the future labor requirements for the energy technology industries.
(3) Report on shortage 
As soon as practicable after the date on which the Secretary identifies or predicts a significant national shortage of skilled technical personnel in one or more energy technology industries, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the shortage.
(c) Traineeship grants for skilled technical personnel 
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, may establish programs in the appropriate offices of the Department under which the Secretary provides grants to enhance training (including distance learning) for any workforce category for which a shortage is identified or predicted under subsection (b)(2).
(d) Authorization of appropriations 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2008.

42 USC 16412 - Training guidelines for nonnuclear electric energy industry personnel

(a) In general 
The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary and in conjunction with the electric industry and recognized employee representatives, shall develop model personnel training guidelines to support the reliability and safety of the nonnuclear electric system.
(b) Requirements 
The training guidelines under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum
(1) include training requirements for workers engaged in the construction, operation, inspection, or maintenance of nonnuclear electric generation, transmission, or distribution systems, including requirements relating to
(A) competency;
(B) certification; and
(C) assessment, including
(i) initial and continuous evaluation of workers;
(ii) recertification procedures; and
(iii) methods for examining or testing the qualification of an individual who performs a covered task; and
(2) consolidate training guidelines in existence on the date on which the guidelines under subsection (a) are developed relating to the construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of nonnuclear electric generation, transmission, and distribution facilities, such as guidelines established by the National Electric Safety Code and other industry consensus standards.

42 USC 16413 - National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies

The Secretary shall support the ongoing activities of and explore opportunities for expansion of the National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies to carry out research, education, and training activities to facilitate the improvement of energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and security of industrial, commercial, residential, and public buildings.

42 USC 16414 - National Power Plant Operations Technology and Educational Center

(a) Establishment 
The Secretary shall support the establishment of a National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center (referred to in this section as the Center), to address the need for training and educating certified operators and technicians for the electric power industry.
(b) Location of Center 
The Secretary shall support the establishment of the Center at an institution of higher education that has
(1) expertise in providing degree programs in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution technologies;
(2) expertise in providing onsite and Internet-based training; and
(3) demonstrated responsiveness to workforce and training requirements in the electric power industry.
(c) Training and continuing education 

(1) In general 
The Center shall provide training and continuing education in electric power generation, transmission, and distribution technologies and operations.
(2) Location 
The Center shall carry out training and education activities under paragraph (1)
(A) at the Center; and
(B) through Internet-based information technologies that allow for learning at remote sites.