Politics & Legislation
Politics & Legislation Bipartisan Energy Efficiency Bill Moves in the Senate ENERGY AND NATURAL Resources Chairwoman, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and ranking member, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), have introduced the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (S. 2012). Several provisions in the bill will increase work opportunities for both Stationary and Operating Engineers across the United States. effective. The end result will be more affordable energy, more abundant energy, and more functional energy systems throughout the U.S. to strengthen and sustain our energy renaissance. This legislation will also help modernize our electrical grid, enhance This legislation will also help with streamlining the permitting process for LNG exports, which will create jobs for our construction locals. The International has supported passage of the legislation since it was introduced and the Murkowski- Cantwell energy bill was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a vote of 18-4 on September 9, 2015. Ten Republicans and eight Democrats voted in favor of moving the bill for consideration by the full Senate. Key provisions of the bill include: • Makes it easier for schools and nonprofits to improve energy efficiency • Provides grants to expand the energy efficiency workforce IMPORTANT TIME-SENSITIVE INFORMATION FOR WORKERS EMPLOYED BY POWER PLANTS OR BY POWER PLANT CONTRACTORS Legal Notice If you or a family member ever worked at a power plant, you may have been exposed to asbestos – and you may need to act quickly to preserve your legal rights Energy Future Holdings Corp., Ebasco Services, Inc., EECI, Inc., and a large number of affiliated companies (“EFH”) owned, operated, built or maintained power plants throughout the U.S. and in other countries. Asbestos was present in a number of these plants, exposing workers and their family members to debilitating and potentially fatal diseases. EFH has filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy court has set 5:00 p.m. EST, December 14, 2015 as the deadline for filing all asbestos-related claims against EFH. This deadline applies to anyone who currently has an asbestos-related disease resulting from exposures at EFH-associated plants (“manifested claims”) and anyone who may in the future develop an asbestos-related disease (“unmanifested claims”). This includes: • Employees of utilities operating EFH-owned power plants • Employees of construction companies that built those power plants • Employees of contractors that performed construction and maintenance services in these power plants, and • Members of the families or households of these employees, who may have been exposed to asbestos carried home from the plants Local 609 Recording Secretary and Capital Mechanical Coordinator Mike McBee on the right (backround) and Mechanical Coordinator Fernando Luna in front. [photo] Local 609 The legislation builds on recent technological breakthroughs and promises to bring substantial benefits to American families and businesses while protecting the environment. It will save energy, expand domestic supplies, facilitate investment into critical infrastructure, protect the grid, boost energy trade, improve the performance of federal agencies, and renew programs that have proven cyber security safeguards, maintain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, provide a streamlined process for natural gas export projects, and ensure a qualified, well-trained workforce. Passage of this bill will create work for IUOE Stationary Engineers who perform work related to making schools, office buildings, and other facilities more energy efficient. • Revises federal building energy efficiency performance standards • Requires federal agencies to reduce their building energy intensity by 2.5 percent per year from 2016 to 2025 • Reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program, a DOE program to assist low income communities with energy efficiency, and the State Energy Program, a DOE program to help states maximize the benefits of renewables and energy efficiency • Improve electrical reliability and energy efficiency • Promotes the development of hydropower, geothermal, and methane hydrates • Reforms the federal permitting process You can find a full list of EHF’s plants at www.EFHAsbestosClaims.com. Asbestos-related illnesses include mesothelioma, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, stomach cancer and asbestosis. Some of these diseases may not become evident for as long as 50 years after exposure. Many companies that have gone into bankruptcy after exposing their workers to asbestos set up special trust funds to compensate individuals who later developed asbestos-related illnesses. Despite protests by worker advocates, EFH has refused to establish a separate fund. The bankruptcy court is instead requiring everyone with a potential claim to file now. It is important that you file a claim before the December 14, 2015 deadline if you have ever worked in an EFH facility, directly for the utility or for a contractor that performed construction or maintenance work in an EFH facility – even if you do not currently have an asbestos-related disease. You can obtain specific information about which power plants are involved and how to file both “manifested” and “unmanifested” claims at www.EFHAsbestosClaims.com or by calling 1-877-276-7311. If you believe this applies to you and/or a member of your family, it is important that you act quickly to review the directions on the website, collect the information you need to support your claim, and consult with an asbestos attorney, if necessary, so you do not miss the December 14, 2015 filing deadline. Failure to file could result in a loss of your right to recover for a current or future injury. Don’t delay, act today! 12 INTERNATIONAL OPERATING ENGINEER FALL 2015 13
