Congressional Press Release: Energy Jobs For Veterans Act
by Congressman Harry Teague
It is an honor to be able to represent the many veterans across southern New Mexico. The courageous men and women who fought to protect our country deserve the opportunity to have a successful career when they get home. That is why I am pleased to share with you that my Energy Jobs for Veterans Act (H.R. 4592) was signed into law last week. This important legislation, which passed as part of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010, will create state-based programs to provide veterans with on-the-job training, apprenticeships, real experience, and long-term employment in all fields of the energy industry, including oil and gas, renewable electric power, biofuel production, and energy efficiency.
This law will encourage eligible employers to hire veterans by offering them reimbursement for veteran employee training. In fact, many energy businesses and veterans organizations praised the legislation and put their full support behind it.
John Garcia, Secretary of New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS) praised the bill, saying “The men and women who proudly and bravely served our country deserve all of the opportunities possible when it comes to job creation. This program will give New Mexico’s veterans the critical training and resources necessary to help them join our growing energy industry and combat the high unemployment rate in our veteran community.”
The Energy Jobs for Veterans Act has also been endorsed by PNM Resources, Sapphire Energy, Louisiana Energy Services (LES), Armstrong Energy Corporation, Center for Excellence in Hazardous Materials Management (CEHMM), Las Cruces Green Chamber, New Mexico Department of Disabled American Veterans (NMDAV), New Mexico Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Marine Corps League of New Mexico.
I worked hard to ensure that my energy jobs for veterans provision was included in the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010 because it addresses issues that are important to New Mexico. This legislation supports the brave men and women who risked their lives for our security and creates jobs that reduce our dependence on foreign oil, a key component of my “Do it All, Do It in New Mexico” energy policy. The new law allows our veterans to protect our nation’s security in a new way, by producing energy here at home and leading the way to our energy independence.
Supporting our nation’s veterans is a top priority of mine, and I will continue to fight for the rights and benefits our veterans truly deserve.