UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA SUPPORTS THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION ACT

Diverse Coalition Unites to Support the Just Energy Transition Act to Retire and Redevelop Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Groundbreaking Legislation Transitions Fossil Fuels Infrastructure to Protect Ratepayers, Support EJ Communities, Achieve Just Transition

New York — A diverse coalition of XX stakeholders including leading environmental, business, labor, environmental justice, and community organizations joined forces today to support nation leading legislation to implement New York State’s ambitious climate goals in a manner that supports economic development, creates union jobs and benefits disadvantaged communities. The Just Energy Transition Act (JETA), S2935-B / A4866 sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker and Assembly Member Anna Kelles, prioritizes the retirement and redevelopment of New York’s fossil fuel power infrastructure support affordable and reliable clean energy.

Building on a recent visit by US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to New York City’s largest fossil fuel power plant — the Ravenswood Generating Station — repurposing New York State’s oldest fossil fuel power plants with renewable energy aligns an array of diverse interests behind a common goals of community reinvestment, affordability, reliable power and a just transition of the union workforce. This commonsense legislation serves as a national model for an expeditious and effective transition from fossil fuel to renewable generation.

JETA ensures New York State meets the ambitious goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) by directing New York’s climate, energy and environmental agencies and authorities to develop a blueprint and commence a competitive solicitation to guide the retirement and redevelopment of New York’s oldest and most-polluting fossil fuel facilities and their sites by 2030. Guided by the blueprint, New York State would competitively bid and award proposals that replace fossil fuel facilities with clean sources of renewable energy such as wind and solar as well as battery technology and electricity transmission and distribution systems to support renewable energy.

JETA’s repurposing of existing infrastructure unites several critical policy goals, including:

• Reliability: Ensuring reliability the New Yorkers expect and keeping the lights on while reducing emissions and local air pollution from fossil fuels.
• Protect Ratepayers: Competitive bidding for new projects that will repurpose existing fossil infrastructure to provide a cost-effective clean energy alternative.
• Environmental Justice: Significantly reduce air pollution in neighborhoods that have historically borne the brunt of downstate fossil fuel power generation.
• Just Transition for Union Labor: Investing in a pipeline of existing and new workforce to power homegrown clean energy facilities.
• Achieve the CLCPA’s Climate Goals: Creating new local sources of clean renewable energy to achieve New York’s nation-leading goal of 70% renewables by 2030.

Organizations who have signed onto the Blueprint Act include: ACE-NY, AES, Laborers International Union of North America, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, UWUA Local 1-2, Long Island Progressive Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, NY RENEWS, Rise Light & Power, REBNY, and Sierra Club.

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