The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #16 on Resolution D081 (Helping Communities Affected by Change in Energy Use) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D081)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church recognize that society's dependence on coal and other fossil fuels has created communities across the supply chain that are not just economically, but culturally and socially identified with the industry; and that the long-term unsustainability of those fuels and inevitable transition to other sources of energy places the livelihood and culture of these communities at risk; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call on its members at all levels to develop programs that address the negative impacts on these communities of the economic and energy transition away from fossil fuels; and that it specifically direct the Office of Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care to devote financial and program resources to community development and community organizing efforts intended to ease this transition and strengthen communities in Appalachia and other fossil fuel dependent areas; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church direct the Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network to advocate for policy initiatives intended to ease this transition for communities in Appalachia and other fossil fuel dependent areas by increasing the availability and quality of jobs; access to vocational training, community college and other educational opportunities; availability of childcare and early childhood education; access to adequate and stable housing; and other relevant community services, including support for the Appalachian Regional Commission and other agencies that invest in community development in these regions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance consider a budget allocation of $300,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church recognize that society's dependence on coal and other fossil fuels has created communities across the supply chain that are not just economically, but also culturally and socially identified with the industry; and that the long-term unsustainability of those fuels and inevitable transition to other sources of energy places the livelihood and culture of these communities at risk; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church call on its members at all levels to develop programs that address the negative impacts on these communities of the economic and energy transition away from fossil fuels; and that it specifically urgedirect the staff responsible for Office of Rreconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care to devote financial and program resources to community development and community organizing efforts intended to ease this transition and strengthen communities in Appalachia and other fossil fuel dependent areas; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church directauthorize the Office of Government Relations and the Episcopal Public Policy Network to advocate for policy initiatives intended to ease this transition for communities in Appalachia and other fossil fuel dependent areas by increasing the availability and quality of jobs; access to vocational training, communitycollege and other educational opportunities; availability of childcare and early childhood education; access to adequate and stable housing; and other relevant community services, including support for the Appalachian Regional Commission and other agencies such as the Appalachian Regional Commission and others that invest in community development in these regions. ; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention requests the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance consider a budget allocation of $300,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #250)