{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://fulcher.house.gov/2024/03/20/id-66e74b41-805a-476a-9586-0c811d22f227/", "PRESS RELEASE \u2013 U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Legislation to Build and Retain an Experienced Energy Workforce", "2024-03-20", "2024", "2024-03", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Russ Fulcher", "F000469", "fulcher.house.gov", "fulcher", "https://fulcher.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 20\n\nCONTACT: Marisa Melton, (208) 743 \u2013 1388, marisa.melton@mail.house.gov\n\nU.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Legislation to Build and Retain an Experienced Energy Workforce\n\nWASHINGTON D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID) and Congresswomen. Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced a bill to direct the Secretary of Energy to establish the Department of Energy\u2019s (DOE) Experienced Worker Program (EWP). This program would provide grants to non-profit organizations eligible to use the talents of U.S. individuals aged 55 or older in other programs administered by the Secretary.\n\n\u201cGiven all the workforce challenges happening in our federal energy department and in the energy industry, it is vital we find all avenues for expertise from those who dedicated their careers with the Department of Energy,\u201d Congressman Fulcher said. \u201cHaving adequate resources to fulfill the technical and other needs by DOE is important as we encourage them to explore many of the vast domestic energy sources available.\u201d\n\nThe EWP would allow DOE to administer programs like those at the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, and other federal agencies. Under the Older Americans Act, these agencies can place skilled and experienced workers aged 55 or older in agency positions.\n\n\u201cAs we continue to fortify our nation\u2019s energy future, we must also recognize the invaluable expertise of our seasoned workforce,\u201d Congresswoman DeGette said. \u201cInvesting in our skilled professionals is not just prudent, it\u2019s essential for the prosperity and sustainability of our energy sector.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor over 25 years, the Experienced Worker Program has connected experienced professionals with federal agencies providing cost-effective talent, mentorship, and expertise, while filling essential workforce needs,\u201d Cito Vanegas, CEO & President of NEW Solutions said. \u201cThe program quickly becomes invaluable to an agency and their mission-critical projects. I commend Representatives DeGette and Fulcher for their leadership in bringing the Experienced Worker Program to the Department of Energy.\u201d\n\nThis bill would enable DOE to:\n\naddress \u2018brain-drain\u2019 issues;\n\nutilize former employees and other experienced workers for projects, seasonal work, or help on a longer-term basis;\n\nprovide opportunities for newer agency staff to learn institutional knowledge from returning workers;\n\noffer mentorship opportunities for all staff at various levels;\n\nprovide an intergenerational work culture; and\n\nplan for and manage workforce needs by:\n\ncreating flexibility to address workforce gaps and intermittent needs; and\n\nadding another tool to DOE\u2019s workforce toolbox.\n\nRead the full bill text HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://fulcher.house.gov/2024/03/20/id-66e74b41-805a-476a-9586-0c811d22f227/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.1307159438729286, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}