Policies to Watch
Several policies being considered at the state level would update our renewable electricity standards and address existing buildings and energy infrastructure, with impacts to implementation of decarbonization strategy across the Commonwealth. In addition, several policies at the state and federal level could have transformational impacts to the region’s workforce landscape, encouraging equity-driven approaches to decarbonization. Workforce development legislation has been enabled by the state to intentionally address core issues while federal executive actions are requiring broad adoption of new principles across all agencies.
Policies:
Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program (CWTP)
Overview: Companies, contractors and unions who are working on projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the Inflation Reduction Act can be reimbursed for costs related to investing in new employees. Eligible organizations could receive up to $40,000 per new employee, up to $400,000 per project over the next five years for the cost of wages, supportive services provided to new employees with significant barriers to employment, and other training costs. The CWTP is designed to empower and expand economic opportunities for Pennsylvanians who have too often been left out and left behind.
Feedback Opportunities: Recipients of funding must prioritize individuals utilizing assistance programs, those released from a correctional institution or have recently graduated from high school or a community college as well as other criteria. Data received from recipients can inform priority needs for disadvantaged individuals seeking employment.
Learn more: https://www.pa.gov/newjobs/#:~:text=The%20CWTP%20is%20designed%20to,trade%20school%2C%20or%20community%20college.
The Justice40 Initiative
Overview: The Justice40 Initiative is a national effort that calls for federal agencies to ensure at least 40% of the gains from certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities. Described as a “whole-of-government approach”, the Justice40 Initiative provides a framework to measure the impacts of federal programs that focus on clean energy and energy efficiency, workforce development, environmental remediation, and critical water infrastructure to support communities that have been historically marginalized, underserved, and overburdened.
Feedback Loop Opportunities: the Justice40 Initiative is a federally sponsored program with local implications. Data from the Justice40 Initiative can inform the creation of state and local policies designed to broadly address environmental justice needs.
Sectors: energy, transportation, agriculture, labor, housing, infrastructure, industry, etc., etc.
Learn more about the Justice40 Initiative and Environmental Justice in Pennsylvania: