25 LC 112 2647
House Resolution 67
By: Representatives Schofield of the 63
rd
, Stephens of the 164
th
, Davis of the 87
th
, Drenner
of the 85
th
, McClain of the 109
th
, and others
A RESOLUTION
Supporting Georgia's Clean Energy Transition, Workforce Development, and Green Job
1
Creation by 2050; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, thirteen federal agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and the3
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, contributed to the Fourth National4
Climate Assessment, which was completed in November 2018; the report found that climate5
change will threaten Georgia and the Southeast with increased temperatures, drought, and6
extreme weather and that Georgia's coast will be threatened by flooding, sea-level rise, and7
stronger and more frequent hurricanes; and8
WHEREAS, studies completed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Risky9
Business Project, Duke University, and others point to the severe economic costs of climate10
change and the continued use of fossil fuels, estimating billions of dollars nationally and11
trillions globally in costs each year; and12
WHEREAS, communities of color and people with lower incomes in Georgia and the United13
States are inordinately exposed to pollution from fossil fuels, including the dirtiest coal-fired14
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power plants that produce coal ash, which disproportionately affects communities of color
15
and causes serious health problems such as cancer and asthma; and16
WHEREAS, Georgia households with incomes below 50 percent of the federal poverty level17
pay 41 percent of their annual income in home energy costs, and Georgia is the eighth most18
energy-expensive state in the United States; and19
WHEREAS, the "energy burden," or percentage of household income spent on energy bills,20
is a crippling financial burden for families with lower incomes, and the energy burden on21
African American and Latino households with lower incomes is up to three times as high as22
other households; and23
WHEREAS, transitioning to clean energy represents an unprecedented opportunity to address24
environmental justice issues while reducing energy burdens for vulnerable populations; and25
WHEREAS, leading economists, policy experts, and business leaders conclude that a26
transition to a clean energy economy available for all would create millions of green jobs27
nationally, improve our living standards, and boost economic growth in coming years; and28
WHEREAS, Georgia's future competitiveness depends on leveraging the clean energy29
economy to uplift employment equity and create a future where any Georgian who wants to30
work can find a good job that pays family-supporting wages; with full employment for all,31
Georgia could grow economic output by $12 billion every year; and32
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WHEREAS, investments in clean energy infrastructure, such as wind, solar, and energy
33
efficiency, provide long-term economic savings and stimulate local economies through job34
creation and development opportunities; and35
WHEREAS, a just transition to clean energy must include workforce development programs36
that ensure workers in Georgia have access to the skills, training, and resources needed to fill37
new green jobs in sectors such as renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and38
electric vehicle infrastructure; and39
WHEREAS, workforce development initiatives must prioritize communities40
disproportionately impacted by climate change, pollution, and economic dislocation, ensuring41
inclusive opportunities for education, apprenticeships, and re-skilling programs; and42
WHEREAS, Georgia can leverage partnerships with technical colleges, universities, labor43
unions, and industry leaders to build a pipeline of skilled workers who are prepared for the44
demands of the clean energy economy; and45
WHEREAS, numerous cities, including Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens; multiple universities;46
and businesses around Georgia have adopted or are considering commitments to transition47
to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050; and48
WHEREAS, solar energy in Georgia has seen enormous growth in the past ten years, and49
Georgia now has more than 2,600 MW of solar capacity installed, which is enough to power50
312,450 homes and rank Georgia as a top ten state for solar energy; and51
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WHEREAS, the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic include Georgia ranking
52
as second highest in the nation for the number of clean energy jobs lost, but a recovery period53
with a clean energy focus could revitalize our economy and put Georgians back to work; and54
WHEREAS, Georgia Power's parent company, Southern Company, has publicly committed55
to owning a low to zero carbon generation fleet by 2050; and56
WHEREAS, global warming is contributing to an increased incidence of extreme weather,57
and stronger storms are already having a huge impact on Georgia—Georgia's Department58
of Agriculture has estimated that Hurricane Michael resulted in losses totaling $3 billion in59
2018; and60
WHEREAS, corporate entities operating in Georgia, including Bank of America, Ikea,61
Google, T-Mobile, and Walmart, have made commitments to purchasing 100 percent clean62
energy on a variety of timelines; and63
WHEREAS, adopting energy-efficient policies and incentivizing the use of electric vehicles64
and renewable energy sources in Georgia can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions65
while promoting innovation and technological advancements.66
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that67
the members of this body support the transition from fossil fuels to 100 percent safe, clean,68
renewable, and equitable energy for all energy sector economies in the State of Georgia by69
December 31, 2050, to promote job creation, workforce development, and economic growth70
and to protect the earth from climate catastrophe for current and future generations.71
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
72
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the73
public and the press.74
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