Levin Introduces Bill to Protect Fossil-Fuel Workers in Build Back Better Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Andy Levin (MI-09), member of the House Education and Labor Committee and former green energy entrepreneur, introduced the American Energy Worker Opportunity Act, a companion bill to Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)'s legislation, for inclusion in the Build Back Better Act as the House considers the landmark reconciliation bill.

"We can't allow the workers who powered our country to be left behind as we adopt new technology and grow the renewable energy sector," said Senator Brown. "We know a lot of these workers' skills translate well to new energy projects – it's our job to put workers at the center of this transition and all the opportunities that come with it."

"The most impacted workers and communities must be at the very center of our climate change policy," said Congressman Levin. "With the Build Back Better Act, we have a historic opportunity to tackle this crisis and create the jobs that will power our future, but we cannot leave our coal and oil workers and their families behind. I am honored to co-lead this effort with Senator Sherrod Brown to empower workers and their children through robust investments in workforce, educational and wage support."

"Thank you to Representative Levin for advancing this important initiative on behalf of our members," said James Slevin, Utility Workers Union of America National President. "The industries that have powered America's communities for generations are changing quickly and the individuals whose livelihoods depend on the energy sector need worker-driven support programs such as this one more than ever. We look forward to working with leaders in the House and Senate to make this program a reality."

"As our nation's energy system transitions, it is absolutely vital that we do not leave workers and communities behind," said Jason Walsh, BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director. "These are the workers that have powered our nation for generations and we owe it to them to ensure that they have every opportunity to succeed in the clean economy. We thank Rep. Levin for his leadership and look forward to working together to see this bill through to the finish line."

The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act would mean:

• Help for eligible workers: eligible workers are those whose employment is terminated from a coal mine, coal-fired power plant, coal transport, or oil refinery, provided that the worker was employed continuously and full time for at least 12 months prior to layoff, with authority for the Secretary to add additional groups of fossil fuel-dependent workforces as employment impacts make it necessary.
• Wage supplement: workers will receive wage replacement or supplement in addition to assistance to maintain health benefits and contribute to retirement.
• Worker education and training: workers will be eligible for grants for allowable education and training up to, and including, a four-year degree.
• Education for the children of dislocated workers: direct educational grants for the children of dislocated workers deemed eligible by the program for allowable education and training up to, and including, a four-year degree.

The proposal would also prioritize employers who plan to hire eligible workers for the clean energy grants created under the Build Back Better plan. It is endorsed by the United Steelworkers, United Mine Workers of America, the AFL-CIO, International Union of Operating Engineers, the Utility Workers Union of America, the BlueGreen Alliance, the National Wildlife Federation, League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

In September, Congressman Levin led his colleagues in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer urging the inclusion of these investments in the Build Back Better Act. House original cosponsors include several signers of the original letter and others: Representatives Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jim McGovern (MA-09), Marie Newman (IL-03), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), John Garamendi (CA-03), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44).

Senate cosponsors include Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA).

Read a full copy of the bill text here and a one-pager from Senator Brown's office here.

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