WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) introduced the American Energy Worker Opportunity Act to ensure America’s fossil fuel workers are financially protected and not left behind in the transition to clean energy.
“We have a responsibility to protect our planet from the climate crisis — while also protecting America’s fossil fuel workers from being left behind in the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35). “We don’t have to choose between the planet and workers. We can do right by fossil fuel workers and their families, while also accelerating our fight against the climate crisis.”
Casar is the first Member from the South to lead on the bill, which would help Texas energy workers as global demand for oil and gas declines. Texas accounts for nearly 12% of all U.S. energy jobs. With this introduction, Casar is taking another step in the long-term work to take care of Texas fossil fuel workers and their families.
Upon passage, the American Energy Worker Opportunity Act will:
- Provide fossil fuel workers with a wage replacement or supplement in addition to assistance to maintain health benefits and contribute to retirement.
- Provide worker education and training, up to and including a four-year degree.
- Create educational grants for the children of dislocated fossil fuel workers.
- Require agencies to prioritize the hiring of fossil fuel workers into clean energy jobs when disbursing new energy grants.
A combination of technological innovation, market forces, and international competition have led to the lowest employment in the coal industry in our nation's history. Global demand for oil and gas is also projected to face an irreversible decline in the next decade. As the world transitions into a new era in energy production, Congress must invest in and empower fossil fuel workers through a worker-centered transition — one that ensures fossil fuel workers can use their skills in the new clean energy economy without losing wages or benefits.
This bicameral American Energy Worker Opportunity Act is co-led by Bob Casey (D-PA), and co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI),and U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Summer Lee (PA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39),and Paul Tonko (NY-20).
It is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, BlueGreen Alliance, National Wildlife Foundation, Natural Resource Defense Council, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), United Utility Workers of America (UWUA), Sierra Club, Texas AFL-CIO, and Texas Climate Jobs Project.
“The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act is a lifeline for workers transitioning into the clean energy economy," said Bo Delp, executive director of the Texas Climate Jobs Project. "This bill will provide opportunities for impacted workers through wage supplements, healthcare, and education, ensuring they have a path forward in the growing clean energy sector. We applaud Representative Casar for filing legislation to help ensure workers are centered in our clean energy transition.”
“The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act puts the interests of working people who have powered this country for generations at the center of our energy policy. It makes clear that we can fight climate change while creating tens of thousands of family sustaining energy jobs,” said Rick Levy, president of the Texas AFL-CIO. “The Texas AFL-CIO thanks U.S. Representative Greg Casar and Senator Sherrod Brown for this high-road legislation that will promote good climate jobs and see to it that no energy worker is left behind.”
“As our country moves to replace harmful fossil fuels with clean, renewable energy, it is crucial that there are resources available to support and center workers throughout this transition,” said Harry Manin, deputy legislative director for the Sierra Club.“The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act ensures that workers can take advantage of the steady, good-paying jobs available in the clean energy economy. We are grateful to Senator Brown and Representative Casar for their leadership and steadfast collaboration with the Sierra Club and our community partners as we shape a vibrant clean energy economy for workers. We urge Congress to pass this bill into law.”
“Union workers have always been at the heart of the energy production that’s fueled this country, and must continue to be as we move towards a clean energy economy. That’s why the AFL-CIO is fighting hard to ensure that fundamental labor rights and good union jobs are central to every clean energy project and facility across the country,” said Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO. “The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act would take important steps to make that vision a reality by delivering good pay, essential skills training, the right to organize, and a pathway into a good union job for energy workers. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners in Congress to address the climate crisis and secure good union jobs for all.”
“This legislation offers a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to the energy transition. These are exactly the kinds of worker-driven programs we need to support those who have powered America’s communities for generations,” said James Slevin, national president of the Utility Workers Union of America. “When a power plant closes, it’s not just a worker that’s impacted. The ripple effects are far-reaching. Thank you to Representative Casar for this important legislation.”
“The American Energy Worker Opportunity Act helps former fossil fuel workers, their families, and their communities make the transition in building the new clean energy economy," said Jeff Slyfield, federal legislative advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council. “This is especially needed for workers seeking a new path after being laid off from jobs in the fossil fuel industry. Representative Casar and Senator Brown’s vision will ensure that these workers and communities are not left behind as the clean energy economy takes off.”
“As our nation’s energy sector rapidly evolves, Congress has a moral obligation to provide arobust package of support for workers who have borne and will continue to bear the bruntof job loss in this energy transition,” said Jason Walsh, executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance. “As we work to build a cleaner economy a vital goal must be to ensure that the workers that have kept the nation’s lights on for generations have every opportunity to succeed. We thank Senator Brown and Representative Casar for their leadership and look forward to working with them on this bill.”
The bill text can be found HERE.
All official press releases from Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX)
