Photo Credit: Jackson Cooper Gango
The energy sector in the U.S. and around the globe is in transition. Coal plants are shutting down earlier than expected, and conventional electricity generation is being replaced by cleaner and less expensive energy sources like renewables (wind and solar) and natural gas. Communities home to coal mines and coal plants rely on the jobs and revenue provided by the industry, and with mine and plant closures, they will face uncertain futures. The Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) is working with coal community members and policymakers to help support community-led, equitable transitions from coal to a cleaner economy.
Explore our work below.
Our Micro-documentaries: Craig, Colorado: Coal Town in Transition
Resources for Communities in Transition
The resources in this section are geared toward community members and decision-makers seeking actionable ideas to prepare for a transition.
User Guide to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BlueGreen Alliance (2022) (PDF)
Getting Started on a Just Transition: A Blueprint for Communities, Just Transition Fund
Resources Hub: Just Transition Guides, Just Transition Fund
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC), National Association of Counties (NACO)
Solutions for Transitioning Coal-Dependent Communities, Headwaters Economics
Economic Development Directory, U.S. EDA
A New Deal That Works for Us, ReImagine Appalachia Blueprint (2020) (PDF)
Solidarity for Climate Action, BlueGreen Alliance
What is an “Energy Community”?, Resources for the Future (RFF) (2022)
Equitable Transition to a Low-Emissions Future: Thriving in a Clean Energy Economy, RFF
People Who Can Help
Suzanne Tegen, Assistant Director, Center for the New Energy Economy
Email Suzanne Tegen HereCindy Winland, Consultant
Email Cindy Winland Here
The resources in this section provide information for state legislators, community members, and local governments on programs that provide financial assistance to support communities in transition. The examples from utility-contributed funds might provide a framework for a community “ask” of utilities’ for support during a transition.
Federal Funding Opportunities
Business Models for Coal Plant Decommissioning, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) (PDF)
Federal Support Opportunities to Remediate and Redevelop Energy Assets, PNNL (PDF)
Federal Economic Resources Matrix: Sortable and Searchable Database
U.S. DOE Energy Community Tax Credit Bonus and Interactive Map
U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA): Coal Communities Commitment Fact Sheet (PDF)
U.S. EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment
U.S. EDA Assistance to Coal Communities
U.S. EDA: Before You Apply for an EDA Grant
Utility Contributions
Arizona: Utility Offers $169 Million Deal with Navajo Nation
Montana: Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Provides Economic Impact Funds for Colstrip
Private Philanthropy
Other Resources
Economic Development Policies to Enable Fairness for Workers and Communities in Transition, RFF
Securitization: A Finance Tool for Energy Transition, Powder River Basin Resource Council (Video)
People Who Can Help
- Cindy Winland, Consultant
Email Cindy Winland Here - Suzanne Tegen, Assistant Director, Center for the New Energy Economy
Email Suzanne Tegen Here - Carlyn Petrella, Policy Analyst, Center for the New Energy Economy
Email Carlyn Petrella Here
The resources in this section are for those who want to learn about legislation related to the energy transition.
Coal Transition Legislation Table, CNEE
Policy Ideas
Economic Development Policies for Communities in Transition, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) (PDF)
National Economic Transition Platform, Just Transition Fund
Regulatory Assistance Program (RAP)
Securitization: A Finance Tool for Energy Transition, Powder River Basin Resource Council (Video)
The resources in this section provide specific examples of existing federal and state programs.
Federal
Department of Labor: Layoffs/Major Dislocations Grants
Environmental Protection Agency: Brownfields Federal Program Guide
Arizona
Just Energy Transition Center, ASU
Colorado
Colorado Office of Just Transition
Colorado Just Transition Plan (PDF)
Minnesota
Montana
Planning For Montana’s Energy Transition (February 2016), Headwaters Economics
New Mexico
Department of Workforce Solutions: Energy Transition Act Committee
Utah
Utah Roadmap Positive Solutions on Climate and Air Quality (January 2020) (PDF)
Wyoming
Wyoming Energy Regional Economic Coordination Office
People Who Can Help
Suzanne Tegen, Assistant Director, Center for the New Energy Economy
Email Suzanne Tegen HereClara Summers, Climate and Energy Manager, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
Email Clara Summers Here- Taryn Finnessey, Senior Policy Advisor, United States Climate Alliance
Email Taryn Finnessey Here
This resources in this section are for anyone looking for resources to help through employment transitions.
Career Exploration: Apprenticeship Programs by State
Department of Labor: Adult Training
Department of Labor: Rapid Response Services for Workers
Labor Network for Sustainability
Preserving Coal Country, United Mine Workers of America (PDF)
Supporting the Nation’s Coal Workers, Union of Concerned Scientists (PDF)
The resources in this section explore energy transitions occurring around the world.
An International Research Hub, Coal Transitions
Global Energy Transition Guide: Electricity (2022), RMI
Just Transition and Equitable Climate Action Resource Center, World Resources Institute (WRI)
The World’s Coal Power Plants Mapped, Carbon Brief
Energy Transitions, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
What Should Coal Communities Do When Power Plants Shut Down? Ask Germany, Vox (March 2021)
Photo Credit: Jackson Cooper Gango
