A new state initiative could help create thousands of environmental jobs in Nevada.

Last week, the Assembly Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford’s “green jobs” initiative. The effort would allow the State of Nevada to use stimulus funds to train about 3,200 workers to perform weatherization, energy retrofit applications and energy audits.

According to an article by BusinessWeek, the jobs would not only boost Nevada’s green-collar workforce, but also would help consumers save money on utility bulls. The initiative now needs to be passed by the full Assembly.

“As these new solar, geothermal and other types of plants come online, we have heard repeatedly from the industry that one of our weaknesses in helping establish this new industry is that we don’t have a properly trained workforce,” Horsford said in the article. “We have an infusion of federal resources that if used efficiently could position us better than we are today.”

The money would be used by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation and the state Housing Division. Those two organizations would contract with qualified nonprofit groups to create or enhance job-training programs throughout the state.

Initial projects under the initiative would involve weatherization of about 6,500 homes and upgrades to government buildings and schools to make them more energy efficient. The bill also would require the Public Works Board and state universities and colleges to begin weatherizing and using renewable energy.

The Assembly also recently voted for a bill that would encourage the development of solar hot water heating systems through a demonstration project. Under that project, participants would receive rebates or portfolio energy credits from the state Public Utilities Commission.

Further, a bill that extends tax abatements for renewable energy companies while preserving some funding for education is awaiting final approval from the Senate.