LPDD Model Law: State Workforce Study

This model state law requires state agencies to assess the education, development and training needs for the workforce needed to meet the state’s climate and clean energy goals. The model law is applicable to states have adopted comprehensive climate legislation, as well as those that have otherwise adopted decarbonization or clean energy targets that can inform the workforce impact analysis the model law contemplates. The model legislation assembles a Working Group and charges it with (i) studying and assessing the size and skills of the future workforce needed in the state to achieve the state’s goals, and (ii) ensuring sufficient resources are mobilized and available to the state’s agencies, educational institutions, labor organizations and other institutions to develop the workforce needed for the changing economy.  The study and mobilization of resources should include a focus on minority, historically underserved, and economically disadvantaged populations in the state. The model law also addresses the resulting displacement of the workforce in fossil-fuel related and other high-emissions technology industries, using the same approach of studying the expected displacement and addressing it through mobilization of state resources (including retraining).