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AB-2212 Energy: offshore wind workforce safety training facilities.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 04/16/2024 09:00 PM
AB2212:v97#DOCUMENT

Amended  IN  Assembly  April 16, 2024
Amended  IN  Assembly  March 21, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2212

Introduced by Assembly Member Lowenthal

February 07, 2024

An act to add and repeal Chapter 16 19 (commencing with Section 25993) 25997) of Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2212, as amended, Lowenthal. Energy: offshore wind energy development. workforce safety training facilities.
Existing law, the Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act, requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to develop a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments installed off the California coast in federal waters.
This bill would enact, only until an unspecified date, January 1, 2045, the Offshore Wind Workforce Safety Training Facility Development Act. The bill would require the commission to oversee the allocation and use of funds allocated for the development of training facilities offshore wind workforce safety training facilities, as defined, and to develop standardized training curricula tailored to the specific workforce safety needs of the offshore wind industry, as specified. The bill would require the commission to annually submit an annual a report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the progress made in establishing and operating those training facilities, as provided.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a)The state’s energy goals include increasing the use of renewable energy sources, such as offshore wind energy generation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

(b)The successful development of offshore wind farms requires a skilled workforce trained in various aspects of construction, maintenance, and operations specific to offshore wind energy.

(c)Training facilities located near ports engaged in offshore wind development will enhance workforce readiness, safety standards, and overall industry growth.

SEC. 2.Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 25993) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
16.Offshore Wind Training Facility Development Act

SECTION 1.

 Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 25997) is added to Division 15 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
CHAPTER  19. Offshore Wind Workforce Safety Training Facility Development Act

25993.25997.
 This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Offshore Wind Workforce Safety Training Facility Development Act.

25997.1.
 For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Large-scale facility” means a facility located within reasonable commuting distance from the areas of the state where offshore wind leases are approved by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
(b) “Offshore wind workforce safety training facility” means an accredited facility that offers educational and practical workforce safety training to meet offshore wind industry safety standards.
(c) “Small-scale facility” means a satellite location of a large-scale facility that offers similar workforce safety training, but is located in an area that is not as close to ports as a large-scale facility.

25993.1.25997.3.
 (a) The commission, in collaboration with relevant state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Natural Resources Agency, the California Workforce Development Board, the Public Utilities Commission, the Department of General Services, and the State Department of Education, shall oversee the allocation and use of funds allocated for the development of offshore wind workforce safety training facilities. For purposes of this chapter, funds include bond proceeds, community benefit agreement funds, or matching private funds.
(b) Training Offshore wind workforce safety training facilities shall be strategically located near ports engaged in offshore wind development activities to facilitate convenient access for trainees and to support the workforce safety training needs of the industry.
(c) In addition to large-scale offshore wind workforce safety training facilities, smaller offshore wind workforce safety training centers shall be established near ports designated for operation and maintenance activities associated with offshore wind farms.
(d) Priority shall be provided to forming partnerships with community colleges, regional occupation centers, including repurposing former regional occupational centers that have been permanently closed, trade schools, and similar institutions with existing campuses or physical facilities that can offer offshore wind workforce safety training and meet the specific needs for offshore wind development.

25993.2.25997.5.
 (a) The commission, in consultation with industry workforce safety experts and educational institutions, including, but not limited to, community colleges, shall develop standardized training curricula tailored to the specific needs of the offshore wind industry. The training curricula shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Safety training, to enable participants to support and care for themselves and others working in the industry, including first aid, working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness, sea survival, and, in case of an emergency, the ability to evacuate, rescue, and provide appropriate first aid to casualties.
(2) Advanced rescue training, to enable participants to perform entry-type injured person rescue operations in a wind turbine generator using industry-standard rescue equipment, rescue methods, and techniques.
(3) Enhanced first aid knowledge and training, to enable participants to support and care for others working in the industry. Upon completion of training, participants will be able to administer safe, effective, and immediate lifesaving and enhanced first aid measures to save lives and give assistance in remote areas using advanced emergency equipment and medical teleconsultation.
(4) First aid, to enable participants, through theoretical and practical training, to recognize signs and symptoms of life-threatening situations and administer safe and effective first aid in the wind turbine industry and wind turbine generator environment, in order to save lives and prevent further injury until the casualty can be handed over to the next level of care.
(5) Manual handling, to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for wind technicians in the wind industry and enable participants to perform their tasks and activities in the safest possible way when working in a wind turbine environment.
(6) Fire awareness, to enable participants to prevent fires, make appropriate judgements when evaluating a fire, manage evacuation of personnel, and ensure all participants are safely accounted for in the event of an unmanageable fire. If the incident is determined to be safe, the participants should be able to efficiently extinguish an initial fire by using basic handheld firefighting equipment.
(7) Working at heights, to enable the participants, through theoretical and practical training, to use basic personal protective equipment, work safely at heights, and perform comprehensive basic rescues from heights in a remote wind turbine environment.
(8) Sea survival, to enable the participants to act safely and responsibly and to take the correct preventive actions in all aspects of offshore operations, from shore to installation vessel or wind turbine generator, and the reverse, through theoretical and practical training, during normal operations and in an offshore wind energy environment emergency.
(9) Hub rescue, to enable participants to perform rescue operations in a wind turbine generator hub, spinner, and inside the blade by using industry-standard rescue equipment, methods, and techniques, exceeding those of working at heights.
(10) Nacelle, tower, and basement rescue, to enable participants to perform injured person rescue operations in a wind turbine generator nacelle, tower, and basement by using industry-standard rescue equipment, methods, and techniques, exceeding those of working at heights.
(11) Single rescue in hub, spinner, and inside blade, to enable participants to perform single rescuer advanced rescue operations, in a wind turbine generator hub, spinner and inside the blade by using industry-standard rescue equipment, methods, and techniques, exceeding those of  working at heights.
(b) Training Offshore wind workforce safety training programs offered at the training facilities shall meet established industry standards and receive accreditation from relevant accrediting bodies bodies, including the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the State Department of Education for the accreditation of regional occupation and career technical education, to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the training provided.

25993.3.25997.7.
 Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the commission shall annually submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature, in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, summarizing the progress made in establishing and operating offshore wind workforce safety training facilities, including the use of funds, the number of trainees enrolled, and any recommendations for improvement.

25993.4.25997.9.
 This chapter shall remain in effect only until ____ January 1, 2045, and as of that date is repealed.