- An Alliance For Community Action
- (970) 256-7650
- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Just Transitions to Homegrown Prosperity webinar series
We know that the county is still absorbing the events that took place yesterday in Washington D.C. We are living through historic times and tests of our democratic systems. We also know that the ongoing work of democracy and organizing people to have power over the decisions that impact our lives goes on. So in that spirit, we are sharing the below information with you and hope you can join us as we keep up the work to build health, just, and self-reliant communities in Western Colorado.
It’s no secret that coal has been on the decline. Environmental concerns and increased price competition from natural gas and renewable energy sources have fundamentally changed the energy landscape across the world.
Here in Colorado, in 2019, the General Assembly passed a series of bills focused on reducing carbon emissions, which has further encouraged the closure of coal-powered plants and mines across the state. For that reason, members of our Alliance have begun to focus on a “just transition” as workers and communities prepare for a future without coal, which has been a major employer and economic driver in many towns across the Western Slope.
These closures raise lots of questions: How will my community be affected? What does “just transition” mean? What opportunities are there for affected workers and communities? How can I impact what happens next for my community?
Fundamental questions that will shape the future of many Western Slope communities. Learn more and help us find the answers at one of our upcoming webinars:
Coal Communities and the Just Transition Office Report: Proposed policy recommendations for workers and communities
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, 5-6:30 pm
Register in advance for this meeting at this link.
In 2019, Colorado became the first state to launch a Just Transition Office, charged with supporting communities transitioning away from coal-dependent economies. In this session, our Alliance will share information about the current state of transition in western Colorado coal communities. Then participants will hear from Wade Buchanan, Executive Director of Colorado’s Office of Just Transition, and members of the Just Transition Advisory Committee about the Just Transition Plan and policy recommendations for workers and communities. Participants will have an opportunity for Q&A and learn how they can influence this plan and its policy recommendations.
Reclamation Jobs: A bridge for fossil fuel workers and communities
Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 5-6:30 pm
Register in advance for this meeting at this link.
As coal-powered plants shut down and the oil and gas sector goes through another bust, a new opportunity is created for reclamation jobs. In this session, our Alliance will share information on reclamation job opportunities in both the coal and oil and gas sector and how this process has unfolded in other fossil fuel dependent communities. Learn more about federal resources related to this topic that include the Western Organization of Resource Council’s Reclamation Job Report, the RECLAIM Act, and oil and gas bonding reform to spur clean up of abandoned wells.
Clean Technology Jobs in Economic Transition
Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 5-6:30 pm
Register in advance for this meeting at this link.
Join Western Colorado Alliance for a webinar on the opportunities and limitations of clean technology jobs creation in fossil fuel transition communities in rural Colorado. This webinar will feature front-line thinkers and practitioners from across Colorado, a menu of options for local policymakers and residents, and an update on 2021 state legislation that can help bring clean technology jobs to rural communities.
Just Transitions in Disproportionately Impacted Communities
TBA February 2021
We are still working to confirm the details, but we will hold a Spanish language webinar sometime in February focused on the impacts of coal plant closures and fossil fuel transitions on disproportionately impacted communities. Stay tuned for details!
Emily stepped up as our staff director in 2017, but originally joined our team as a community organizer in 2013. Born and raised on the Western Slope, Emily graduated from Colorado State University and then had the privilege of learning from and working alongside organizers in Central and South America as well as Appalachian coal country. They returned to their home state to protect the land they love and work with fellow Coloradans for a healthy, just and self-reliant future for our rural communities. Emily enjoys organizing, exploring the Colorado Plateau, country music and punk concerts with equal passion.