HR 67: Georgia's Clean Energy Transition, Workforce Development, and Green Job Creation by 2050; support

House Resolution 67

By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Stephens of the 164th, Davis of the 87th, Drenner of the 85th, McClain of the 109th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Supporting Georgia's Clean Energy Transition, Workforce Development, and Green Job Creation by 2050; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, thirteen federal agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, contributed to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, which was completed in November 2018; the report found that climate change will threaten Georgia and the Southeast with increased temperatures, drought, and extreme weather and that Georgia's coast will be threatened by flooding, sea-level rise, and stronger and more frequent hurricanes; and

WHEREAS, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate change and the continued use of fossil fuels, estimating billions of dollars nationally and trillions globally in costs each year; and

WHEREAS, communities of color and people with lower incomes in Georgia and the United States are inordinately exposed to pollution from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal-fired power plants that produce coal ash, which disproportionately affects communities of color and causes serious health problems such as cancer and asthma; and

WHEREAS, Georgia households with incomes below 50 percent of the federal poverty level pay 41 percent of their annual income in home energy costs, and Georgia is the eighth most energy-expensive state in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the "energy burden," or percentage of household income spent on energy bills, is a crippling financial burden for families with lower incomes, and the energy burden on African American and Latino households with lower incomes is up to three times as high as other households; and

WHEREAS, transitioning to clean energy represents an unprecedented opportunity to address environmental justice issues while reducing energy burdens for vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that a transition to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs nationally, improve our living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years; and

WHEREAS, Georgia's future competitiveness depends on leveraging the clean energy economy to uplift employment equity and create a future where any Georgian who wants to work can find a good job that pays family-supporting wages; with full employment for all, Georgia could grow economic output by $12 billion every year; and

WHEREAS, investments in clean energy infrastructure, such as wind, solar, and energy efficiency, provide long-term economic savings and stimulate local economies through job creation and development opportunities; and

WHEREAS, a just transition to clean energy must include workforce development programs that ensure workers in Georgia have access to the skills, training, and resources needed to fill new green jobs in sectors such as renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, workforce development initiatives must prioritize communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, pollution, and economic dislocation, ensuring inclusive opportunities for education, apprenticeships, and re-skilling programs; and

WHEREAS, Georgia can leverage partnerships with technical colleges, universities, labor unions, and industry leaders to build a pipeline of skilled workers who are prepared for the demands of the clean energy economy; and

WHEREAS, numerous cities, including Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens; multiple universities; and businesses around Georgia have adopted or are considering commitments to transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050; and

WHEREAS, solar energy in Georgia has seen enormous growth in the past ten years, and Georgia now has more than 2,600 MW of solar capacity installed, which is enough to power 312,450 homes and rank Georgia as a top ten state for solar energy; and

WHEREAS, the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic include Georgia ranking as second highest in the nation for the number of clean energy jobs lost, but a recovery period with a clean energy focus could revitalize our economy and put Georgians back to work; and

WHEREAS, Georgia Power's parent company, Southern Company, has publicly committed to owning a low to zero carbon generation fleet by 2050; and

WHEREAS, global warming is contributing to an increased incidence of extreme weather, and stronger storms are already having a huge impact on Georgia—Georgia's Department of Agriculture has estimated that Hurricane Michael resulted in losses totaling $3 billion in 2018; and

WHEREAS, corporate entities operating in Georgia, including Bank of America, Ikea, Google, T-Mobile, and Walmart, have made commitments to purchasing 100 percent clean energy on a variety of timelines; and

WHEREAS, adopting energy-efficient policies and incentivizing the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources in Georgia can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting innovation and technological advancements.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body support the transition from fossil fuels to 100 percent safe, clean, renewable, and equitable energy for all energy sector economies in the State of Georgia by December 31, 2050, to promote job creation, workforce development, and economic growth and to protect the earth from climate catastrophe for current and future generations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press.