Congressman Raul Ruiz to announce bill that would promote training for green jobs

Rep. Raul Ruiz will introduce new legislation in Palm Springs today that aims to provide training for jobs in the renewable energy fields.

Ruiz will make the announcement at noon at College of the Desert’s Desert Energy Enterprise Center.

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, according to his office.

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.