H.R. 1315 would authorize the appropriation of $65 million annually over the 2020-2024 period for the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and implement a program to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries. The bill also would require DOE, in collaboration with other agencies, to develop, maintain, and report annually on a clearinghouse with information about industry-related job training and workforce needs. As part of that education program, DOE could provide financial and technical assistance to certain educational institutions as well as fellowships at DOE laboratories. DOE also would establish and carry out a grant program to subsidize a certain portion of wages or stipends for people receiving training to work for eligible businesses. The department would be required to report annually to the Congress on the grant program.
Based on historical spending for similar activities, and assuming the appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1315 would cost $241 million over the 2019-2024 period and $79 million after 2024. The costs of the legislation (detailed in Table 1) fall within budget functions 270 (energy) and 500 (education, training, employment, and social services).