Biden administration launches $225 million program for more efficient building codes
On July 21, the Department of Energy announced a Notice of Intent to provide $225 million for state and local governments to expand the application of the latest building energy codes and support the development of buildings that are more efficient. This funding was provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the administration believes this implementation alone will lower electricity bills for families and businesses by as much as $138 billion during the next 30 years.
To ensure continued cost-effective implementation of new building energy codes, the “Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation Program will provide competitive grants to applicants who demonstrate through partnerships innovative approaches that allow states and local governments to further their broader energy, climate and resilience goals, expand opportunities for workforce development, ensure implementation and compliance, and advance equity, energy and environmental justice.”
To prepare for the release of this Funding Opportunity Announcement, prospective applicants are encouraged to read the full Notice of Intent on the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Exchange, which describes the intended FOA more fully, including how to prepare for its release, eligible entities and activities, and award instruments.
NRCA joins coalition to advocate for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
On July 27, NRCA joined with more than 500 trade associations, professional societies, businesses and employers in the launch of Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, which was established to support the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation expands qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to cover postsecondary training and credentialing, including licenses and professional certifications such as NRCA’s Training for Roof Application Careers and NRCA PROCertification.®
Su nomination stalls in the Senate
The nomination of Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor Julie Su to the permanent role has stalled in the Senate. Su’s nomination appears to have collapsed after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) announced opposition to her nomination along with all 49 Senate Republicans. Although it appears unlikely Su will be confirmed by the Senate, she can remain at DOL in her capacity as acting secretary through the end of Biden’s first term, and she remains as the Senate-confirmed deputy secretary of labor. However, there is uncertainty regarding how DOL will be able to issue regulations without a Senate-confirmed secretary, and thus the failure of her nomination could affect DOL’s regulatory agenda.
DOL issues revised Office of Labor-Management Standards Form LM-10
On July 28, the Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards issued a final version of Form LM-10, which certain employers are required to file to report agreements with consultants, including expenditures made to monitor employee and union activity in the workplace. Of note, the revised Form LM-10 requires employers to report whether they are federal contractors or subcontractors and, if so, the agency with which they contract.
