The Report Follows a Workshop Hosted by the AFL-CIO and the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI), Bringing Together Key Stakeholders to Discuss Pro-Worker, Pro-Climate Solutions
A new report, Ohio River Valley Hydrogen and CCS Hub Market Formation, has been published by the Labor Energy Partnership (LEP), focused on a first-of-its-kind regional workshop that took place on July 12, 2021. The report highlights the key focus of the workshop, as well as next steps to successfully form a hydrogen and carbon capture and storage (CCS) market hub in the Ohio River Valley. Sens. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.), as well as Gina McCarthy, the White House national climate adviser, were key headliners at the July convening.
Click here to download the full report.
The LEP, an effort of EFI and the AFL-CIO, co-hosted the virtual event to catalyze the conversation among key thought leaders on how such a hub in this region could accelerate the clean energy economy while maintaining the jobs and economic output associated with power generation and industry. Speakers included senior representatives from labor unions and executives from industry and regional organizations.
There were 144 participants who tuned in for the live virtual event. View the full-length recording here.
Ernest Moniz, CEO and founder of the Energy Futures Initiative and Secretary of Energy from 2013 to 2017, remarked: “The Ohio River Valley is an excellent location for this project. A fully functioning market could begin with strategic regional investments to build out hydrogen and carbon dioxide infrastructures that connect existing industrial and power generation assets with the geology needed for sequestration.”
The workshop was co-hosted by Moniz and Richard Trumka, former president of the AFL-CIO. Tragically, Trumka’s appearance would be one of his last public engagements, as he passed away unexpectedly in early August.
“We will honor Rich’s life by strengthening the Labor Energy Partnership and its commitments to a high-road strategy for combating the climate crisis,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. She continued: “He cared deeply about the working people who live in this region where he himself grew up and worked as a coal miner. Rich believed that the opportunity in front of us, presented at this event and in this report, is exactly why we need to pass the PRO Act. We need to ensure that the workers who will literally be building the clean energy future have the pathways to organize so these industries remain high-wage, good careers for generations to come.”
Speakers reflected on the economic revitalization in the region that could occur through union job creation and preservation, regional industrial partnerships, and bolstering the innovation ecosystem. A hydrogen and CCS hub would help to save and create jobs and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
President Shuler added: “The blueprint laid out in this report is an example of how technology and innovation can actually save jobs, bolster communities and protect the planet. This is what worker-centered climate solutions look like.”
About the Labor Energy Partnership:
The Labor Energy Partnership (LEP) is based on a shared commitment of the AFL-CIO and the Energy Futures Initiative to promote federal, regional and state energy policies that address the climate crisis while recognizing the imperatives of economic, racial and gender justice through quality jobs and the preservation of workers’ rights.
About the Energy Futures Initiative:
EFI advances science-based solutions to climate change through evidence-based analysis, thought leadership and coalition building. Under the leadership of Ernest Moniz, the 13th secretary of energy, EFI conducts research to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. energyfuturesinitiative.org.
About the AFL-CIO:
The AFL-CIO works tirelessly to improve the lives of working people. We are the democratic, voluntary federation of 57 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women. We strive to ensure all working people are treated fairly, with decent paychecks and benefits, safe jobs, dignity, and equal opportunities. We help people acquire valuable skills and job readiness for the 21st century economy. In fact, we operate the largest training network outside of the U.S. military.
Contact: Sarah Clements (202) 637-5018