Legislation to shine light on renewable energy careers

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, will introduce new legislation next week that aims to provide training for jobs in the renewable energy fields, his office announced today.

Ruiz will make the announcement at noon Wednesday at College of the
Desert’s Desert Energy Enterprise Center in Palm Springs. The legislation would promote training for renewable energy careers through public-private partnerships, on-the-job training and educational training, according to Ruiz’s office.

Ruiz’s 36th District — which includes the Coachella Valley — produces enough wind power for about 200,000 homes and is home to 21 solar companies.

Expected to attend the announcement are Joel Kinnamon, president of
College of the Desert; John Jaramillo, dean of the college’s School of Applied Sciences and Business; Brian Walsh, a developer with Iberdrola Renewables; and Morris Myers, chairman of the Workforce Investment Board of Riverside County, who helped write the legislation.