(2) The certification standards established by the department must, at a minimum, require that the primary contractor:

(a) Prove that the primary contractor and the primary contractor’s subcontractors have sufficient skill to successfully install energy efficiency, renewable energy or weatherization projects.

(b) Not be a contractor listed by the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries under ORS 279C.860 as ineligible to receive a contract or subcontract for public works.

(c) Be an equal opportunity employer or small business or be a disadvantaged business enterprise, a minority-owned business, a woman-owned business, a business that a service-disabled veteran owns or an emerging small business, as those terms are defined in ORS 200.005.

(d) Demonstrate a history of compliance with the rules and other requirements of the Construction Contractors Board and of the Workers’ Compensation Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

(e) Employ at least 80 percent of employees used for energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program projects from the local work force, if a sufficient supply of skilled workers is available locally.

(f) Demonstrate a history of compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws.

(g) Pay wages to employees used for energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program projects at a rate equal to at least 180 percent of the state minimum wage.

(3) The State Department of Energy shall consult with the Public Purpose Fund Administrator and utilities when developing certification standards for primary contractors.

(4) The Construction Contractors Board may issue a qualifying primary contractor a certification authorizing the primary contractor to participate in the construction of small scale local energy projects financed through the energy efficiency and sustainable technology loan program. A primary contractor seeking certification shall apply to the board as provided under ORS 701.119.

(5) The State Department of Energy shall identify certified primary contractors that provide employees with health insurance benefits as preferred service providers and may take other actions as practicable to encourage certified primary contractors to provide employees with health insurance benefits. [2009 c.753 §13; 2013 c.8 §2; 2015 c.565 §23]