Today, National Economic Council (NEC) Director Brian Deese and National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy convened and co-chaired the first meeting of the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization as outlined by President Biden’s January 27 executive order on tackling the climate crisis. The Working Group will focus on identifying and delivering federal resources to revitalize the local economics of coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities, ensuring benefits and protections for workers in these communities.
The Working Group discussed ideas and actions at their respective agencies and offices to determine how to deploy grants, federal loan program, technical assistant, financing, procurement, and other programs that will support and revitalize the economies of coal and power plant communities. They also discussed plans for the Working Group to begin engaging a variety of diverse stakeholders who will be critical partners in the Working Group’s efforts to support local coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities, including state, local, and Tribal officials, labor unions, business leaders, environmental justice organizations, and community groups.
The Interagency Co-Chairs reiterated President Biden’s commitment to supporting and investing in coal, oil and gas, and power plant communities as the Administration leads an equitable clean energy revolution that strengthens the American economy and creates millions of good-paying, union jobs. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm also introduced the Department of Energy staff who will be supporting the Working Group’s efforts.
As outlined in President Biden’s January 27th executive order on tackling the climate crises, the Interagency Working Group membership is comprised of the following government officials:
- National Climate Advisor (Co-Chair)
- Assistant to the President for Economic Policy (Co-Chair)
- Secretary of the Treasury
- Secretary of the Interior
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of Labor
- Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Secretary of Transportation
- Secretary of Energy
- Secretary of Education
- Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
- Director of the Office of Management and Budget
- Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Director of the Domestic Policy Council
- Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission.
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