Sec. 203. Office of Energy and Economic Transition
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There is established in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Energy and Economic Transition. The Office shall be led by a Director who shall be appointed by the President, to serve at the pleasure of the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director shall be a person who, as a result of training, experience, and attainments, is exceptionally well qualified to— appraise programs and activities of the Federal Government in light of the challenges posed to adversely affected workers and adversely affected communities; be conscious of and responsive to the scientific, economic, social, cultural, and pollution reduction needs and interests of the United States; and formulate and recommend national policies to assist workers and communities disrupted in the United States transition to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The annual rate of pay for the Director shall be fixed by the President at a rate that may not exceed the annual rate of pay for level II of the Executive Schedule. The Director shall assist and advise the President on policies and programs of the Federal Government affecting the United States transition to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by— administering the programs and activities under this title; assisting and advising the President in the preparation of the Worker and Community Transition Report required under subsection (g); reviewing and appraising the various programs and activities of the Federal Government related to adversely affected workers and economic development and diversification of adversely affected communities, and making recommendations to the President with respect to such programs and activities; coordinating relevant programs and activities among the relevant Federal departments and agencies through the Interagency Energy and Economic Transition Task Force convened pursuant to section 204; coordinating across Federal departments, agencies, and other initiatives to align energy-related transition strategies with other national economic development strategies, including national manufacturing, infrastructure, and environmental remediation strategies; in accordance with section 205, being responsive to and coordinating with the Stakeholder Advisory Committee established under such section; creating and maintaining a website to serve as an information clearinghouse containing information on relevant programs and activities from relevant departments and agencies across the Federal Government to increase awareness of Federal programs, grants, loans, loan guarantees, and other assistance and resources the Director determines may assist economic development and diversification activities in adversely affected communities and support adversely affected workers; providing assistance to adversely affected communities, including technical and financial assistance, and support for capacity building and planning capabilities by adversely affected communities and community-based leaders of such communities, including assistance provided pursuant to section 206 or through Community-Based Transition Hubs pursuant to section 207; collecting, collating, analyzing, and interpreting data and information on adversely affected workers and economic development and diversification of adversely affected communities; and implementing grant programs or other forms of financial and technical assistance to support adversely affected workers and the economic development and diversification of adversely affected communities as required by this title or after determining no such similar program or assistance is being provided by a Federal agency.
The Office may employ such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out its duties under this title. In addition, the Office may employ and fix the compensation of such experts and consultants as may be necessary for carrying out such duties, in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code. The Office may accept reimbursements from any private nonprofit organization, any department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, or any State or local government for the reasonable travel expenses incurred by the Director or an employee of the Office in connection with attendance at any conference, seminar, or similar meeting conducted for the benefit of the Office.
Beginning in 2027, the President shall transmit to Congress a report, to be known as the Worker and Community Transition Report, not less than once every 2 years, which shall set forth— the status and condition of workers and communities disrupted in the United States transition to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, with an emphasis on economic development and diversification activities in adversely affected communities; current and foreseeable trends in worker and community disruptions associated with the United States transition to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of such trends on the social, economic, and other requirements of the United States; a review of the programs and activities (including regulatory activities) of the Federal Government, State, Tribal, and local governments, and nongovernmental entities or individuals that serve adversely affected communities; recommendations for remedying deficiencies of existing programs and activities described in paragraph (3), which may include recommendations for new programs and activities and legislation to authorize such programs; and the expenditures of the Office in support of programs and activities authorized under this title.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary.