We’re excited to announce that the Just Transition Fund has recently committed grants and technical assistance to help 11 projects across seven states prepare applications for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding, including to the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) and ARISE (Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies) initiatives.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our policy grant cycle, which will focus on supporting efforts to create and implement state transition funds.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Coal Communities Get Ready! Challenge! We know that communities have visionary ideas for growing and transforming their local economies, but often need targeted support to be ready to apply for and manage the federal funding that can bring these ideas to scale.
Senior administration officials announced new policies that aim to ensure that rural regions hit by mine closures and shuttered power plants can get an economic boost from new federal cash for energy and infrastructure funding.
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband access to rural communities. The Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act would strengthen funding mechanisms for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), which promotes universal access to broadband and other telecommunications services.
When the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement released this latest round of funding in March, the agency also released new guidance that responds to the concerns raised by advocates such as the Reclaiming Appalachia Coalition in recent years.
As severe weather events increase, so does danger to rural communities. Plans are in place to address the urban observation bias in national weather prediction, but the other piece — reliable broadband — could still be years away for places like Eastern Kentucky.
The Just Transition Fund is excited to announce that we are expanding our Federal Access Center!
The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and Appalachian Voices released a report that shows benefits paid to miners with black lung, and their families, have fallen behind the cost of living and rising inflation.
As the long-awaited rule from the Mine Safety and Health Administration to protect coal miners from exposure to respirable silica goes through the Office of Management and Budget, the connection between new mining technologies and methods, toxic silica dust, and the resurgence of black lung is increasing the urgency for action.
Federal grants will support abandoned mine reclamation
The Chronicle of Philanthropy showcases the Just Transition Fund's mission and work to support coal-impacted communties in the effort to secure historic levels of federal funding.
