Just Transition From Coal-based Electrical Energy Economy

Just transition support for coal-related jobs - office created - advisory committee - just transition plan - workforce transition plan - report - sunset review - appropriation. The act creates the just transition office in the division of employment and training in the department of labor and employment. A just transition advisory committee will develop a draft just transition plan, and the director of the office will submit a final just transition plan to the governor and general assembly, regarding proposed:

• Benefits to be given to coal transition workers to enable them to support themselves and their families and to access and complete education and training, resulting in being hired for high-quality jobs;
• Grants to be awarded to eligible entities in coal transition communities that seek to create a more diversified, equitable, and vibrant economic future for those communities; and
• Sources of funding.

The just transition advisory committee is scheduled for repeal in 2025, subject to sunset review.

An electric utility that proposes the accelerated retirement of a coal-fueled electric generating facility shall submit to the office and the affected community a workforce transition plan at least 6 months before the retirement of the facility.

The director shall submit a report to the general assembly by January 1, 2024, containing recommended legislative changes to the act.

$155,758 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of labor and employment and $920 from the general fund to the general assembly for the implementation of the act.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)