States to Share in $150M to Train Energy Efficiency Contractors

WASHINGTON — The Department of Energy is making $150 million available in grants for states to help them reduce the cost of training, testing and certifying residential energy efficiency and electrification contractors.

The State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants Program is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act.

According to administration officials, the hope is that the funding will attract and then educate new workers in the energy efficiency industry, while also helping to empower existing workers in the field and support businesses whose ultimate aim is to help homeowners save money on their energy bills.

“As our nation moves towards a clean energy future, there is a growing demand for trained, certified workers to make homes more energy efficient,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in a written statement. 

“This historic investment will strengthen our nation’s clean energy workforce and economic opportunity, attract new talent and help tackle the climate crisis,” she added.

The department said workers trained through the use of the new contractor training grants will be well-prepared to implement energy upgrades that could potentially qualify for rebates under the Home Energy Rebate Program. 

Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, the program will issue $8.8 billion to state energy offices to retrofit and electrify homes. 

Today, DOE is releasing the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document, which provides guidance for states, territories and Washington, D.C., to apply for formula funding that assists with the development and implementation of contractor training grant programs that meet their local workforce needs.

Applications are due Sept. 30.

To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, all applicants must submit a community benefit plan that describes how their proposal will support local community and labor engagement; advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the workforce; and contribute to the administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue