Creating a New Deal that Works for Us
From the Climate Infrastructure Plan of ReImage Appalachia, November 5, 2022
The Blueprint is supported by over 40 major organizations
In addition to federal investment necessary to create a sustainable, prosperous Appalachian economy for the 21st Century, it’s also important that federal dollars are spent in a way that maximizes wealth for the communities in Appalachia and not corporations elsewhere.
Working closely with dozens of labor and community allies, ReImagine Appalachia has developed principles for project spending to ensure that investments create equitable growth for the communities most in need. To ensure that federal infrastructure investments maximize their economic impact in the region, the Appalachian Climate Infrastructure Plan proposes a policy framework that: 1. Maximizes good union jobs, 2. Ensures genuine opportunities for workers who have lost fossil fuel jobs through no fault of their own, 3. Creates pathways for low-wage workers — regardless of race or gender — to enter good union careers, 4. Requires public input and oversight of federal investments by local communities.
The ReImagine Appalachia Blueprint creates a vision for a 21st Century sustainable Appalachia. The Appalachian Climate Infrastructure Plan shows lawmakers how to achieve that vision with investments in a clean economic future that puts workers first, respects our communities, takes care of the land, and grows local wealth. A better future is within reach, if we are willing to come together and demand it. We’re making sure the people of Appalachia have a say in how our region rebuilds. Join us in defining our future and calling for an Appalachian Climate Infrastructure Plan.
APPALACHIAN CLIMATE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN
For the past century, Appalachia has powered the economic prosperity of this nation. Yet many Appalachian communities have been left behind, exploited by absentee corporations in extractive industries. We deserve an Appalachian Climate Infrastructure Plan that will build local wealth and create good union jobs in Appalachia. With federal investment in our region’s infrastructure, Congress now has the opportunity to put our region’s skills and resources to work building a 21st Century economy.
An estimated $23.6 billion federal investment, annually over 10 years, will be required to transform the region. These investments would create over half a million jobs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Appalachia deserves nothing less. (Sector Annual Investment Jobs Created shown below.)
>>> Repair the damage from the last century! Plug orphan oil & gas wells, reclaim abandoned mine lands, repair dams & levees, repair leaks in gas pipelines ~ $2.7 billion & 20,000 jobs.
>>> Modernize the electric grid! Upgrade the grid, e.g., with underground power lines, distributed generation and utility-scale renewable energy ~ $4.2 billion & 297,000 jobs.
>>> Create universal broadband access! Bring fast, affordable, reliable broadband to rural areas & city neighborhoods ~ $2.4 billion & 12,000 jobs.
>>> Grow clean, efficient manufacturing! Repurpose shuttered coal plants for energy efficient manufacturing, become a leader in sustainable production ~ $2.6 billion & 37,000 jobs.
>>> Build a more sustainable transportation system! Public transit expansion and upgrades, including rail; expand access to electric vehicles and EV charging stations ~ $2.3 billion & 37,000 jobs.
>>> Relaunch the Civilian Conservation Corps! Update 1930s CCC to restore forests & water-ways, repair damaged lands, and create pathways to meaningful careers in the process ~ $9.5 billion & 119,000 jobs
TOTALS ….. $23.6 billion & 523,000 jobs.
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