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Office of Just Transition Newsletter
December 20, 2024
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Coal Transition Worker Updates
OJT hiring additional Yampa Valley Coal Transition Navigator
Link to job: Coal Transition Navigator Salary Range: $57,708 - $79,872 annually Closing Date: January 2, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
OJT is accepting applications for an additional Coal Transition Navigator. Centered in Northwest Colorado (Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties), this position will work with our existing Coal Transition Navigator, Jennifer Pieroni, and serve as a central point of contact for transitioning coal workers and their families; work with them to prepare for the upcoming transition away from coal; connect them to services and resources as appropriate; and establish a center of community support and collaboration among affected workers and families. The ideal candidate cares deeply about the impact of coal transition on families and communities, builds effective relationships, and thinks creatively about how to best serve families through challenging times.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4757617/coal-transition-navigator
Monthly Worker Resource Fairs Held in Craig
OJT has been partnering with the Northwest Colorado Development Council and Colorado Small Business Development Council to host monthly resource fairs for coal workers and families to learn about available services to support the transition. The events are informal and all are welcome.
The next events are scheduled for January 14th and February 11th, 2025, at both 9:30 am and 5:00 pm, at the Craig Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, reach out to Sasha Nelson. Email: snelson@economicrecoverycorps.org
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Public Policy
OJT Policy Committee
The OJT Policy Committee is developing a priority list of issues to work on in 2025, including identifying additional funding for worker service; better coordinating multiple state agency programs for transition communities and workers; assessing the regulatory environment and identifying unnecessary barriers to economic development; and evaluating policies to assist coal transition workers, such as hiring preferences and continued healthcare benefits. The committee will gather stakeholder input and conduct research on these issues to determine whether and how to pursue them further.
JTAC Sunset Review Bill
During the 2025 legislative session, OJT will be supporting the Sunset Review Bill recommending the continuation of the Just Transition Advisory Committee (JTAC). Following a review by the Department of Regulatory Agencies in 2024 that concluded with a recommendation to continue the committee, Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Sheila Lieder will introduce a bill to ensure JTAC’s continuation.
PUC Update
On the regulatory front, Xcel Energy has submitted its direct case to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the Just Transition Solicitation (JTS) Electric Resource Plan (ERP). This is the first step of the ERP, which is intended to identify and develop resources for the production of electricity during and after the closing of Xcel’s coal plants in Pueblo and Hayden, as well as the conversion to gas of its coal plant in Brush. Those plants will convert or close by the end of this decade. The first phase of this process, in which intervening parties and Xcel will address various issues and either reach a settlement or participate in a hearing before the PUC, will last through the summer of 2025. Pueblo County, the City of Pueblo, and the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation (jointly); Routt County and the Town of Hayden (jointly); and Moffat County and the City of Craig (jointly); and OJT have all intervened in this case to ensure community assistance and worker issues are addressed.
For more information, or to join the policy committee, which meets monthly, contact Terri Livermore at terri.livermore@state.co.us.
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OJT/OEDIT Community Assistance Grant Updates
Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Awarded Funds for Wolf Creek Reservoir Study
A $100,000 award was made to the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District to conduct a survey and report on the potential impacts of the proposed Wolf Creek Reservoir in the areas of agricultural production, flatwater recreation and a countywide augmentation plan. The grant activities will help advance the NEPA process.
Moffat County Pumped Hydro Study Complete
With funds awarded through OJT's Community Assistance Grant Program, Moffat County recently completed a study on the socioeconomic impacts of the Craig-Hayden Pumped Storage Project. The pumped hydro system would function as a battery, storing energy from renewable sources during times when energy production exceeds demand, and then releasing energy to the grid during periods when energy demand exceeds production.
The impact study suggests that between 231 and 330 former coal workers could be utilized during the 6 years of Project construction, and the economic benefits during the construction period could offset a meaningful proportion of the adverse impacts from closing the four coal facilities (Craig and Hayden stations, Trapper mine, and Colowyo mine). Post-construction, during operational years, the Project would require an operational workforce of 30 to 35 persons.
The study findings suggest that construction of the Project, which could begin as early as 2029, could provide a temporary stopgap to the unemployment and other economic losses that would be experienced after closure of the four coal facilities.
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Grant Writing Resources
OJT Grant Writing Assistance for Coal Communities
OJT is providing grant writers at no cost to help coal communities apply for state, federal and private foundation grants.
Please contact Cassie Mason (cassie.mason@state.co.us) for more information.
Other Resources
The new Energy and Climate Federal Funds Officer in the Governor's Office seeks to maximize federal funding for rural Colorado, particularly focusing on ARPA, IRA and IIJA funds. Contact Dallas Blaney to set up an appointment.
The IIJA and IRA Grant Writing Assistance Program through the Governor's Office provides free technical assistance and grant writing for federal IIJA and IRA grant applications.
Local Match Grant Program (LOMA): Colorado Counties, Municipalities, Special Districts, and federally recognized tribes who have or intend to apply for a federal IIJA program that requires a non-federal match can apply for local match grant match support.
The Just Transition Fund, a national nonprofit organization, is offering grants of up to $100k to local organizations to submit competitive federal applications for transition projects that advance equitable and inclusive local economies.
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Other Funding Opportunities for Coal Communities
Coal Transition Communities may request request OJT assistance to apply for these and other grant opportunities.
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Upcoming State Grant Opportunities
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Colorado Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Regional Partnership grants for regional collaboration and conservation and recreation planning
- New funding cycle opens February 2025
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GOCO Land Acquisition, Community Impact, Planning & Capacity, And Stewardship Impact Grants
- New funding cycle opens January 2025
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DOLA Local Planning Capacity grants support local governments’ capacity to address affordable housing, especially by expediting development review, permitting, and zoning of affordable housing.
- New funding cycle opens February 14, 2025
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DOLA Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) grants help rural communities comprehensively diversify their local economy.
- New funding cycle will opens February 12, 2025 and closes March 12, 2025.
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The Center for Heat Resilient Communities offers a year-long program and micro grants designed to help communities develop actionable heat resilience strategies. Application Deadline: January 24, 2024.
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DOLA's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awards funds for:
- Acquisition
- Design/engineering
- Construction
- Reconstruction
- Rehabilitation/Installation of public improvements or public facilities
Application Deadline: February 24, 2025.
Private Foundations
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Anschutz Family Foundation provides grants of $5,000-$10,000 for general operating or program/project requests for various program areas including community & capacity building and low-income housing, among others.
- January 1/July 1 Deadlines
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Colorado Health Foundation The following grants applications are due February 2025.
- T-Mobile Hometown Grants awards up to $50,000 for shovel-ready projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers.
- Applications open January–March
Federal Funding Opportunities
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Colorado Office of Just Transition Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 633 17th Street, Suite 1200 Denver, CO 80202 |
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