Example of Bad Public Policy
Enactment of several infrastructure and energy incentives do not have location based requirements.
Almost all major hydrogen (ammonia) investments announced are located in the gulf coast region.
Coal Closure Communities do NOT benefit from such policies.
Coal communities continue to face the burden of sharing costs to develop such facilities in already advanced communities.
Indiana's Coal Closure Communities
20 counties are classified as "coal closure communities", meaning the coal industry was a major employer.
In these areas, the industry is also an important contributor to local government finances through a complex system of property, severance, sales, and income taxes; royalties and lease bonuses for production on state and federal lands; and intergovernmental transfers.
Policy Proposals
Four-pronged strategy for redevelopment of coal communities will swing the pendulum in favor of investments in coal communities that have recently lost jobs.
Dedicated Federal Department for Coal Community Revitalization
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Interagency task force with direct congressional appropriations
Rehire Coal Workforce mandates for Federal Assistance
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Federal and state incentives tied to hiring coal workers who have lost jobs due to coal plant closures
Federal and State Incentives for Energy Investments in Coal Communities
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Targeted energy transition investments in coal communities
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Abatement of capital gains tax for investment in coal communities
Strong Federal and State Partnerships
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Partner with Federal and State policymakers to continue to realize the positive outcomes from carbon based fuels