Energy Sector Training Center Grants
$6 Million

The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Stimulus Program will provide up to $6 million dollars in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to ensure that Texas has the skilled workforce needed to obtain employment and meet the growing demands in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

This funding will specifically be used to award grants to eligible public junior colleges or public technical institutes (as defined in Section § 61.003 of the Education Code) for the development of energy-related instruction programs and the purchase of equipment needed to train workers in the fields of energy and transportation efficiency, and in the renewable energy technologies sector. Eligible equipment may include HVAC simulators, LED lighting and training systems for energy efficiency instruction; conversion kits for electric or alternative fuel vehicles for transportation efficiency instruction; photovoltaic and thin film panels, wind turbines and the tools required to maintain wind turbines for renewable energy technology instruction.

Request for Applications: Energy Sector Training Grants for Career and Technical Education Programs

As of March 4, 2011, the Request for Applications (RFA) for the Energy Sector Training Center Grants for Career and Technical Education Programs has closed.

• Link to RFA: Energy Sector Training Grants for Career and Technical Education Programs
• Agency Requisition Number: EO-AG1-2011
• As a reference, refer to this Sample Contract (PDF, 428KB). A similar document would be executed if a grant award is made.

Key Dates	Date*
Issuance of RFA	01/28/11
Deadline for Non-Mandatory Letters of Intent to Apply (2:00 p.m. CT)	02/09/11
Deadline for Submission of Questions (2:00 p.m. CT)	02/09/11
Official Responses to Questions from Potential Applicants (.doc, 65KB)	02/18/11, or as soon thereafter as practical
Deadline for Submission of Applications (2:00 p.m. CT)	03/04/11 - Late applications will not be considered
Grant Agreement Execution / Commencement of Project	04/04/11, or as soon as thereafter as practical

*Dates may be subject to change

Energy Sector Training Center Awarded Projects

As of June 4, 2010, the Comptroller awarded $4,778,865 in competitive federal stimulus grants to the following governmental entities. ARRA Total Project amounts are not final until contract execution.

The funds awarded under this RFA will go to purchase equipment needed to train or educate workers in the fields of energy efficiency, transportation efficiency and renewable energy technologies. The funds must be used for equipment in courses for credit or certification to train or educate workers in energy sector or green jobs.

Award Amount	Governmental Entities
$497,070	Tarrant County College District
$468,876	Texas State Technical College - Harlingen
$460,480	Houston Community College System
$414,397	Amarillo College
$410,182	Ranger College
$406,100	Lone Star College System
$343,277	Austin Community College District
$334,250	Cedar Valley College
$300,000	Clarendon College
$273,850	Texas State Technical College - West Texas
$200,485	Northeast Texas Community College
$197,183	McLennan Community College
$142,304	Alamo Community College
$123,850	North Central Texas College
$79,066	Odessa College
$70,800	Texas State Technical College - Waco
$56,695	Eastfield College

Background

Generally, "green" jobs are broadly defined as employment which involves protecting wildlife, ecosystems, reducing pollution and waste, and reducing energy consumption. According to the TWC most green jobs in the Texas economy are concentrated in the energy efficiency sector, with expected growth in both the renewable and sustainable energy areas, as well.

Green jobs include those working in construction and manufacturing. This also includes cost estimators, financial analysts, computer technicians, engineers and others working in the fields of energy conservation, renewable and sustainable energy sectors.

The green jobs related to weatherization and building retrofits will provide the greatest opportunity for growth. Low-to-moderate skills preparation is needed for jobs within the residential weatherization sector, while those jobs in the commercial and industrial sector may require a broader range of educational and training needs.

Jobs within the renewable and sustainable energy sectors may require a varied distribution of required education and training needs. While the majority of renewable energy occupations are in manufacturing, there are also jobs associated with heavy construction, equipment installation as well as maintenance and energy savings verification. Also note that wind energy occupations vary from entry-level installation to advanced engineering.