American Coal Lands Transition & Renewable Energy Act
Turning old coal mines into solar farms, wind power, and good jobs—while taking care of workers and their families.
⛏️➡️☀️ What Does This Bill Do?
Coal mines are closing across America. This bill helps by buying mines from owners who WANT to sell (nobody is forced!), turning those lands into solar farms, wind power, and other good uses, AND taking care of coal workers and their families during the change. It's a fair deal for everyone.
🔄 The Big Transformation
Old Coal Land
Closed mines, environmental hazards, lost jobs
New Energy Land
Solar farms, wind turbines, storage, good jobs!
🌟 What Makes This Bill Special
100% Voluntary
Nobody is forced to sell. Only willing sellers at fair prices.
Workers First
100% wage replacement for 2 years. Healthcare for 4 years.
Community Help
$2 billion/year for coal towns to rebuild their economies.
Government Exits
90% of land sold back to private owners by 2050.
✋ No Eminent Domain. No Forcing Anyone.
This bill is 100% voluntary. Mine owners choose whether to sell. Workers choose whether to participate. Communities choose whether to apply for help.
☀️ What Old Coal Land Becomes
Former mines have huge potential! Flat land for solar, mine shafts for storage, and more:
Solar Farms
Wind Turbines
Battery Storage
Pumped Hydro
Geothermal
Reforestation
Parks & Wildlife
Data Centers
At least 75% of development-ready sites leased to private companies within 8 years
👷 Coal Workers Get Real Help
This isn't just about land—it's about the people who worked that land. They deserve real support.
Extended training? 75% wages for months 25-36, 50% for months 37-48
Close to retirement? Early retirement bridge payments available
🏘️ Help for Coal Communities: $2 Billion/Year
When a mine closes, the whole town feels it. This bill helps communities rebuild with new industries.
Infrastructure
Business Attraction
Downtown Revival
Broadband Internet
Training Centers
Healthcare
Tourism
Small Business Help
Priority for communities where coal is 20%+ of jobs or tax revenue
💰 How It's Paid For
🏛️ Initial Investment
Congress provides startup money:
$15B in 2027
$10B in 2028
$5B in 2029
📜 Bond Authority
Can borrow up to:
$40B
NOT backed by U.S. government (except first $15B)
📊 Spending Caps
No more than:
$12B/year
for acquisitions (first 5 years)
$60B total
📈 How It Pays for Itself
The program generates money from the new energy projects on repurposed land:
Solar & Wind Leases
Electricity Sales
Carbon Credits
Recreation Fees
Property Sales
Access Fees
Goal: Self-sustaining within 10 years • States get 20-30% of revenues
📤 The Government Gets Out
This isn't about the government owning land forever. There's a clear exit plan:
Sold to: private developers, states, conservation groups, worker cooperatives, community land trusts
🛡️ Built-In Protections
No Eminent Domain
Government cannot force anyone to sell. Period.
Fair Market Value
Independent appraisers determine prices. Arbitration if you disagree.
States Choose
100% voluntary for states. No penalties for opting out.
Sunset Clause
Everything expires by 2060. Clear end date.
Simple Paperwork
5 pages max for individuals. 20 pages max for businesses.
Privacy Protected
Minimum data collected. Deleted after 7 years.
⛏️➡️☀️ A Fair Deal for Coal Country
Coal built America. The people who mined it deserve respect—not to be left behind. This bill offers a path forward: fair prices for willing sellers, real help for workers and families, and new energy for a new economy. Nobody is forced. Everybody benefits. That's showing your work.
Gregory Burgess for Congress
No Party Preference • California's 2nd Congressional District
"Show Your Work" Campaign