资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Communities that are heavily dependent on fossil fuel–related economic activity—including the production, transformation, and consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas—will continue to experience substantial economic effects during the societal shift away from such fuels. This report seeks to understand how public benefits programs may play a role, alongside other programs, in delivering relief to affected workers and communities and providing a foundation on which they can thrive in a low-emissions future.

It is important to recognize that most US public benefits programs are not designed for the sustained transition of the energy sector, and therefore they cannot guarantee a fair economic future for energy communities on their own. Furthermore, many public benefits programs are designed to assist only those individuals with the greatest financial need and might not apply to many energy workers. However, it is critical for policymakers to understand which public benefits are best positioned to support fossil fuel workers and their broader communities facing economic shocks. Preservation or expansion of these benefits may complement the more tailored policy tools that we discuss in the other reports in this series, including government investments in economic development, workforce development, environmental remediation, and infrastructure.

In discussing public benefits programs, we refer to federal programs and policies that distribute resources to smooth economic volatility and guarantee a basic level of economic security and well-being for individuals and households. Many of these policies serve as the first line of defense for any individuals or communities facing economic hardship (i.e., the social safety net). Furthermore, general benefits programs can interact meaningfully with interventions designed specifically to support communities in transition. The following report reviews benefits programs overseen by the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Social Security Administration and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. At the time of this writing, several of these programs are undergoing significant changes and increased scrutiny as the United States grapples with the economic and public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For ease of analysis, we group public benefits programs into two categories based on eligibility criteria: (1) national social safety net programs, which are broadly applicable across all populations, and (2) industry-specific benefits.

Perhaps more than any other report in this series, our review of public benefits programs ventures into territory beyond energy and climate policy. We confine our analysis to the role public benefits have played, or could play, in ensuring fairness for workers and communities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. This report does not delve into or purport to assess the current debate over the overall costs and benefits associated with public benefits programs.