By Susan Williams | Director of Development, EESI
How are federal policy and people’s lives connected? With your GlobalGiving gift and the support of others like you, EESI co-sponsored a screening and panel discussion of After Coal, a documentary about how traditional coal communities are coping as the world continues its transition away from fossil fuels. When you renew your support today, we will continue to highlight the importance of federal assistance for such communities.
In the film After Coal, Carl Shoupe, a third-generation coal miner from Harlan County, Kentucky, explains, “Coal came in the 20th century like blasting guns and that was a good thing back then. Now it’s the 21st century and it’s a thing of the past.”
Carl tells us that his grandfather helped start the mine, but shares that “I don’t see it as part of my future or my grandchildren’s future.”
So, how do policymakers respond to Carl’s needs, and those of his grandchildren? How does the federal government help to facilitate a just transition away from coal? EESI and its partners hosted a free screening and panel discussion with experts to help the policy community understand the struggle these communities are going through and what can be done to help them.
In fact, Representative Hal Rogers of Kentucky recently introduced the RECLAIM Act, with bipartisan support. This bill would make $1 billion in federal funds available to vulnerable, historically coal-dependent communities.
If enacted, it would help these communities, which are struggling with high unemployment due to the loss of coal jobs, by making federal funds available to restore abandoned coal mine lands—areas that can contribute to the economy through the growth of new business and tourism opportunities!
When you give to EESI through GlobalGiving, you are helping policymakers understand the connections between their policy decisions and how they can truly help people improve their communities, restore their lands, and bring additional economic opportunities!
Thank you again for your support. You are making Congressional offices, advocacy groups, and media understand that there are ways to help coal-impacted communities transition to a more sustainable and equitable regional economy!
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