Longmont may support legislation that gives financial help to workers and communities moving from the shrinking coal industry to work in “cleaner” energy operations.
City staff members are recommending Longmont City Council endorse House Bill 21-1290, which makes general fund transfers of $8 million to the just transition cash fund and $7 million to a newly created coal transition worker assistance program account in the fund, according to a staff report to the council.
Council members will consider voting to support the bill at Tuesday night’s work session, which will be held via video at 7p.m.
The worker assistance program may mitigate the economic impact and help workers and communities directly affected by coal companies winding down operations, the report states. The report says Longmont is part owner in the Platte River Power Authority, or PRPA, which plans to retire all of its coal-fired operations by 2030.
The funding in the program must be used to establish or expand existing apprenticeship programs in other industries and provide tuition reimbursement, job search assistance, individual financial and transition planning for workers leaving the coal industry, the bill states.
“Even if the (state) funds are only available for a short time, perhaps too short to assist the PRPA transition, it is critical to make sure workers in the fossil fuel sector are supported in the clean energy transition,” the report states.
In June 2020, the PRPA announced its Rawhide Unit 1 plant — the last of its coal fired facilities — will cease producing electricity by 2030, 16 years before its planned retirement date. The PRPA board, in December 2018, approved its Resource Diversification Policy, calling for a 100% non carbon energy mix by 2030.
HB21-1290 supports the city’s council’s work plan goals around climate action, the city report states.
