Policy Resolution ETE-20-55

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes the immense economic potential of the emerging solar power industry in the United States;

WHEREAS, the recent growth of the solar industry sector creates new opportunities to provide family supporting jobs for American workers;

WHEREAS, research has shown that the solar industry creates high paying jobs, drives technological innovation, strengthens energy security, lowers participating consumers’ electric bills and generates more jobs per megawatt-hour than any other source of energy;

WHEREAS, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the solar industry generated $17 billion dollars in investments in the U.S. economy in 2018;

WHEREAS, the solar industry is seeing significant growth, with 4 out of 10 electricity generation jobs being in the solar industry in 2017 – more new jobs than any other segment of the energy industry;

WHEREAS, there are now over 242,000 solar workers in the United States according to the Solar Foundation, and the solar workforce has more than doubled since 2012;

WHEREAS, the solar industry provides entry-level jobs at competitive wages, paying above the national median wage for all occupations; and

WHEREAS, the solar industry workforce is currently 74 percent male and 73 percent white, which while slightly more diverse than other energy, construction and manufacturing fields, presents a significant opportunity for diversification.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will create solar energy employment opportunities for all Americans, including women, underserved communities and communities of color, by funding or additional incentives for solar projects that involve workforce training and apprenticeship programs, specifically those that increase training and job opportunities for women and minorities in the solar industry;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will provide additional incentives for solar projects that employ women and minority employees or work with women or minority-owned solar businesses;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will prioritize solar projects that have a minority workforce, meet equitable subcontracting requirements, hire workforce training graduates, or create community benefits agreements;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will provide additional incentives for solar development in underserved or low-income areas, or benefiting communities transitioning away from fossil fuels;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will provide funding or educational programming for the solar industry based on best practices in recruiting, hiring, retaining, and promoting women and minorities;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NBCSL urges state government to enact initiatives and policies that will support policies that require solar companies to provide on-the-job training and/or hire from workforce training programs aimed at underserved communities, as a condition of receiving program incentives (such as rebates and RECs); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the Unites States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials and agencies as appropriate

• SPONSOR: Representative Canon Park (GA)
  
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Energy, Transportation, and Environment Policy Committee
  
• Certified by Committee Co-Chairs: Senator Kevin Parker (NY) and Senator Sandra Williams (OH)
  
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 6, 2019
  
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), President