Maximizing Value and Ensuring Community and Labor Benefits from Climate Infrastructure Investments

The Ohio River Valley of Appalachia, better known as coal country, deserves a climate infrastructure plan that builds local wealth and creates good union jobs in the region and beyond. With the right federal investment in the region’s infrastructure, we can transform the region into leaders of the new energy economy. With targeted federal resources, Congress now has the opportunity to put the region’s skills and resources to work building a twenty-first century sustainable, equitable economy. Appalachian climate infrastructure investments must be designed, however, to maximize their benefits to Appalachia’s communities. Federal policies must be in place to enable community input and accountability for how the money is spent; ensure jobs created are good union jobs that come with good wages, health care, and retirement benefits; coal industry workers are prioritized for new opportunities within the region; career pathways are paved for women, Black, Indigenous, and other workers of color into good union jobs; and paid on-the-job training opportunities are provided. To accomplish these ends, and build local wealth, federal dollars must come with both community and labor standards attached as requirements.