OKLAHOMA CITY (March 9, 2009) – Legislation to build on Oklahoma’s energy heritage and create environmental “green jobs” in Oklahoma has been approved by the full House.

House Bill 1682, by state Rep. Seneca Scott, would create the Green Jobs Pilot Program Act. The bill directs the State Board of Career and Technology Education to establish an energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training pilot program. The program would target individuals needing updated training, the unemployed and the socially and economically disadvantaged.

“Thousands of Oklahomans are finding themselves suddenly in need of employment and training,” Scott, D-Tulsa, said. “I believe the field of renewable energy holds promise for those workers and will provide many new employment opportunities in the coming years. It makes sense to train our workforce in renewable energy technologies if we want to be in the forefront of this economic growth opportunity.”

Scott said the measure could leverage future federal dollars from the stimulus into job training and job creation in emerging fields such as energy smart heating, ventilating and air conditioning; wind energy; solar energy; biofuels; smart building construction; residential and commercial weatherization; and insulation.

House Bill 1682 passed the full House 87-10 and now heads to the Senate for debate and a vote.