We have been working with our state legislative leaders this year on a bill to help railroad workers, coal miners and other who work at coal-fueled power plants prepare for the future. Legislation to address climate change is likely to pass this legislative session. This legislation will expedite the closure of coal-fueled power plants. SMART-Transportation Division, IBEW 111 and many other unions have been adamant that we need to balance that legislation with “Just Transition” legislation that protects our members and their families.

House Bill 1314, The “Just Transition” Bill, will create a just transition office in state government that will work with our union, our members, our employers, our communities to prepare for the future and make sure that our members have the assistance they need in the event of a plant shutdown. If we pass this legislation it will be the first of its kind in the United States. We expect this bill to pass the legislature in the next few days and be sent to Governor Polis’ desk.

Governor Polis supported a “Just Transition” during his campaign. He even went to Craig, Colorado with the IBEW on Labor Day 2018 to address this issue with our members from the Craig and Hayden power plants. Please help us make sure Governor Polis signs this bill into law. It’s critical for our members and their families. Contact his office and tell him to support a just transition for everyone working in the coal economy and sign HB19-1314 into law.

To view HB19-1314 in it's current form, please click here.

In Solidarity,