Energy Communities IWG Hosts Listening Session With Local Leaders in Allegheny County, PA

Pittsburgh, PA – (Dec. 20, 2024) – The Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) this week hosted a listening session aimed at identifying opportunities and resources to support communities along the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers (Three Rivers Corridor).

In partnership with the Port of Pittsburgh, the listening session focused on how federal agencies can increase support of transportation improvements and waterways communities through a whole-of-government approach that leverages existing assets and workforce. This listening session served as a continuation of previous conversations with counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania that focused on waterway freight diversification and economic growth in the region.

“Communities along the Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers rely heavily on the waterways for economic output, jobs, and access to critical goods and services,” said Brian Anderson, Energy Communities IWG executive director. “The insights and feedback we received from the listening session will help the Energy Communities IWG and our partners mobilize resources that ensure the rivers and freight transportation have a positive economic impact on energy communities.”

The Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela rivers run through many coal and power plant communities that are prime for investment and economic development. Leveraging the waterways as an economic asset in these communities provides a valuable resource for transporting agricultural, energy and other commodities, supporting the broader American economy. The Waterways Freight Diversification and Economic Development Initiative aims to revitalize communities along the Three Rivers Corridor by promoting economic development and freight diversification. This effort, directed by the Appropriations Act of 2024, seeks to leverage the region’s waterways to diversify freight transportation, create good-paying jobs and stimulate local economies.

The Energy Communities IWG is committed to aligning our interagency efforts with the priorities set forth by local leaders as part of a multistate effort to enhance economic development along the waterways. This week’s listening session emphasized many of the same barriers to economic development heard from energy community stakeholders across the country. Common needs heard from Pennsylvania stakeholders related to economic growth along the waterways include:

• Improved infrastructure, including broadband, water and sewage systems.
• A diversified economy in industries such as energy, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and health care.
• Access to quality workforce development, job training and educational programs.
• Support in navigating federal grant applications and matching funds.

Through a whole-of-government approach, the Energy Communities IWG empowers America’s energy communities to thrive economically for the long-term, ensuring they remain great places to work, live and raise families. The Energy Communities IWG strives to align interagency efforts to mobilize public and private investment to support the development of a skilled energy workforce through job training, apprenticeships, targeted engagement, community partnerships and workforce development. Learn more at https://energycommunities.gov/.