Tennessee House Bill HB2836

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 7; Title 13, Chapter 19; Title 50; Title 59; Title 60; Title 65; Title 66, Chapter 9, Part 2; Title 68 and Title 69, relative to energy.

Impact

The bill reflects a significant policy shift towards promoting renewable energy and acknowledges the need for a trained workforce to support these initiatives. By providing incentives to both individuals and entities that contribute to the creation or expansion of green energy jobs, the legislation aims to stimulate economic development while aligning with broader national and global efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The program will also facilitate the transition for individuals in the traditional coal industry to find new employment opportunities in green energy.

Summary

House Bill 2836, known as the Solar Workforce Development Act, is designed to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated in relation to energy. The bill aims to establish a framework within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to incentivize and support the creation of green energy jobs, specifically in solar and wind energy sectors. By January 1, 2025, the Department is tasked with creating a program that provides training and initiatives to help individuals pursue careers in this rapidly growing field, which is critical for meeting the state's evolving energy needs.

Contention

There could be points of contention surrounding this bill, particularly regarding its implementation and the effectiveness of the proposed incentives. Critics may question the adequacy of funding required to support such programs and demand accountability measures to ensure that the transition to green jobs is beneficial to those affected by coal workforce reductions. Additionally, stakeholders might raise concerns about the operational feasibility of the training initiatives and whether they adequately address the diverse needs of the workforce transitioning from coal to solar energy careers.