Bill Overview
Title: Justice in Power Plant Permitting Act
Description: This bill addresses renewable energy use and facility contracting requirements and also establishes the Just Energy Transition Fund to, among other purposes, support projects to replace plants that are denied under the revised Clean Air Act permitting process established by this bill.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Target Audience
Population: People reliant on energy production and consumption, and those near power plants
Estimated Size: 330000000
- The bill addresses renewable energy use, which impacts individuals and industries reliant on or affected by energy production and consumption.
- Facility contracting requirements may affect workers, businesses, and communities involved in the construction and management of energy facilities.
- The Just Energy Transition Fund intends to support the shift from non-compliant plants, potentially impacting workers at these plants and communities reliant on them.
- Renewable energy projects often aim to reduce pollution, potentially benefiting public health, especially in communities near power plants.
- Transitioning to renewable energy can influence energy prices and availability, affecting all consumers.
Reasoning
- This policy budget will limit the number of projects that can be funded under the Just Energy Transition Fund. Therefore, not all communities or workers affected will experience change at the same time, leading to varied immediate impacts across different areas.
- Some individuals will experience significant impact through employment shifts or environmental improvements, while others might see little to no change, especially if they are not directly working in or living near affected areas.
- The commonness of individuals directly affected by this transition reflects workers in energy sectors, consumers near production facilities, and those involved in facility contracting.
- Increasing renewable energy usage and transitioning away from non-compliant plants might push energy prices initially, impacting households economically, though ideally leading to long-term stability or reductions.
Simulated Interviews
Energy plant worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've spent my entire career in this plant and with the new regulations looming, I'm worried about job security.
- If the fund can support transition projects, maybe there'll be a future for us in renewable energy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Solar energy contractor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the policy is a step in the right direction. More projects mean more work for us, and cleaner air for everyone.
- There are always uncertainties with policy changes, but it seems like a good opportunity for growth in my line of work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Environmental activist (Tampa, FL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is exactly what we need to push forward a clean energy future.
- Switching from polluting plants to renewable energy will benefit communities in ways we can only dream of.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Coal miner (Rural West Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There's a lot of fear here about the future with these policy changes.
- We need alternatives if the mine closes, and I hope the transition fund helps with that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Factory owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've been preparing for this kind of policy for years. It's an opportunity to expand our market.
- My well-being depends on the stability and feasibility of such a monumental shift.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Public health researcher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 43 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving air quality would have a tremendous impact on public health.
- I look forward to seeing reductions in pollution-related diseases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 2 |
Energy policy analyst (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for a sustainable energy future.
- There is a need for careful implementation to balance industry and public interests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tech worker in a startup (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this boost our potential market, which can drive innovation.
- There's both excitement and risk as the market adapts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea that the plant could be replaced is hopeful.
- Cleaner energy could mean better health and quality of life for my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Union leader for power plant workers (Detroit, MI)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Workers are worried about what this means for their jobs.
- We need to ensure that transition efforts include retraining and job opportunities for displaced workers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1350000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 3: $1250000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1500000000)
Year 5: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 10: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The timeline for transitioning plants and how quickly the Just Energy Transition Fund can effect change is crucial.
- The scalability of renewable energy projects to match current and growing energy demands will be a key factor.
- Potential technological advancements in renewable energy and their cost implications need to be considered.
- Public acceptance and community involvement in renewable projects can significantly influence implementation success.