Appalachian states like West Virginia don’t have to like every aspect of a federal infrastructure bill, the president of the United Mine Workers union said, but the region should speak up to shape the benefits that may come.
“Are we gonna say we don’t want any of that $2 trillion because we don’t like Biden?” asked UMW President Cecil Roberts.
“If we can bring jobs to these communities, I’m all for it. My goal is to keep coal miners working and help as many people as we can in Appalachia while we’re at it.”
His remarks on MetroNews’ “Talkline” came as Congress assesses a broad-ranging, $2.25 trillion infrastructure bill. The measure would address U.S. roads, bridges, airports, broadband, housing and utilities, and invests in job training along with care for elderly and disabled Americans. A major element running through the proposal is dealing with the effects of climate change.
“We’re trying to lay some markers down here,” Roberts said. “If you’re not part of this conversation you’re definitely going to be left behind. This is a path forward to keep coal miners working and perhaps maybe bring some miners back.”
Cecil Roberts, @MineWorkers President, joins @HoppyKercheval to discuss the union’s plan for preserving coal country. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/TOdkFO7DjK
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) April 20, 2021
The UMW put forth its own “Preserving Coal Country” guidance to try to participate in that national conversation, perhaps shaping it. The document lays out the struggles of communities that traditionally depended on coal mining for jobs. But it goes farther into what the United Mine Workers propose to do now.
“Change is coming, whether we seek it or not. Too many inside and outside the coalfields have looked the other way when it comes to recognizing and addressing specifically what that change must be, but we can look away no longer. We must act, while acting in a way that has real, positive impact on the people who are most affected by this change,” the UMW wrote.
“The UMWA is prepared to work with members of Congress, the Biden administration, community organizations, non-governmental organizations and other labor unions to achieve these principles. To do otherwise would be to abandon our responsibilities to the people we represent, their families and their communities.”
The union sees not an end to coal, but instead advocates for its use in ways that acknowledge the changes prompted by climate change.
Aspects of the UMW document aim for more use of carbon capture technology to retain coal’s role in energy production. The process captures carbon dioxide emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants and either reuses it or stores it. Much research has gone into the process, but it’s been widely viewed as a high financial hurdle.
“We’re saying a heavy investment in carbon capture and sequestration,” Roberts said.
Roberts urged a greater embrace of metallurgical coal, which is used to make steel. With a surge of infrastructure projects, steel will be in demand. But Roberts said the real gain for coal communities will be if that steel is made in America.
“All we really are suggesting is if we’re going to bring back better, how about making steel in this country again,” Roberts said.
The debate over what the “American Jobs Plan” should emphasize and include is already taking place in Congress.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Housing & Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge and EPA Administrator Michael Regan testified today before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on the plan.
West Virginia’s senators, Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Shelley Moore Capito, are members of the committee.
Manchin, addressing Raimondo, asked for assurances that Appalachia won’t be left out. Broadband connectivity was an emphasis of his question.
“If Appalachia is left behind then you will have more poverty than you have ever seen before,” Manchin said.
Raimondo responded, “We’re not going to let that happen. The president is very clear: We want this jobs plan and the hundred billion dollars called for is to ensure that 100 percent of Americans, including those in Appalachia, have high-speed, affordable broadband.”
Raimondo, former governor of Rhode Island, said in her opening remarks that a thrust of the plan is encouraging employment and prosperity.
“At its core, the American Jobs Plan is about investing in American competitiveness, strengthening our workforce, rebuilding infrastructure, and leveling the playing field for American workers,” she said.
“In the plan, the President proposes strategic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, workforce development, the care economy and combatting the effects of climate change at the scale necessary to reach every single community in America.”
Appalachia should be a point of emphasis for the national infrastructure plan, Roberts said.
Among the UMW’s proposals are direct grants to coalfield counties, communities and school districts to replace lost tax
revenues for 20-year period. The union also proposes targeted infrastructure rehabilitation and development funding to coalfield
communities for roads, bridges, broadband, schools and health care facilities
“I think we should be first in line for consideration,” Roberts said. “I mean the coalfields. Nobody’s been hit harder than the coalfields of Appalachia.”