My name is John Kochanowski

. I am here speaking on behalfof construction IBEW Local Union 712 and its 450 members. I am here today because our members are concerned aboutthe loss oftheirjobs due to the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan. Iwill relate to my personal experiences about the economic opportunities provided by coal and nuclear plants to our members, residents, and businesses in the Beaver County and Tri-State areas over the past four decades. My oldest brother Patrick had graduated from Penn State University in 1975 but the nation's economy was sufferingfrom stagflation and the only opportunities for employment in his field were Alaska or Antarctica. Pat decided to broaden his search for employment and was able to land ajob as an electrician with Penn Power atthe newly constructed 3 unit coal fired power plant in Shippingport. My brother was able to live and raise his family here and worked his way into management at the plant about halfwaythrough his career. Pat recently retired from First Energy, who now owns the plant, with over 3 and a halfdecades of service from a good middle class and community supportingjob. Igraduated high school in 1977 and having grown up on afarm decided I didn't wantto go college but instead work at avocation using my hands. The area steel industry started to show signs ofstress in the Tri-State area so jobs weren't plentiful for my classmates and me. After 2years ofapplying Iwas fortunate enough to be selected by the IBEW for entry intotheirfouryear apprentice program. My apprenticeship consisted of school trainingand workingvarious jobs in steel mills, power plants, hospitals, and commercialjobs. Iwas finishing my apprenticeship in 1983 howeverthe end for our area steel mill industrywas in ,;g'-+ a"'rl ........... I"\.,,...+ ......... hi
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**~1** Ill. IIU IIIOIIY VI 111y '''5'';:, IIUUI \...IO;>:HJIOU:;:;:, V IIU IOU Ul Vvt:lt:: dUUd I !:;l..U t::t:;t: had to scatter all across the countryto find jobs and opportunites for work. My mom became concerned I may have tojointhem butfortunately construction ofa second unit at Beaver Valley Power Station Nuclear power plant was underway. The workthat followed overthe next halfdecade allowed hundreds of myfellow local union members, buildingtrades members and other residents ofthe regionto help the local businesses and economyweatherthe economic void created from the rapidly declining steel industry. My mom, who lastweek celebrated her 87'h birthday, would always thank God forthe power plants allowing her sons and families to stay close to home. Work slowed in our county afterthe completion ofthe plant but from the late 1980'sthrough the late 1990's and intothe current century my fellow members and Iwere able to find employment in Eastern Ohio, Northern WestVirginia, and Western Pennsylvania due to outages and pollution control upgrades at coal fired power plants. Many Local 712 retired members enjoy a good retirementthanks to the many hours ofworkafforded to them. My neighbor ofabout 20 years, Dave Telesz, in the late 1980's had gotten a job with US Air like some other Beaver County residents did afterthe steel industry collapsed. Dave managed to survive numerous restructurings and bankruptcies by US Air overthe years butthen 9/11 hitthe airline industry. Pittsburgh lost its status as a hub airport and Dave was soon to be laid off. Dave
was fortunate enough to have an opportunity and landed ajob at the First Energy coal fired plant in Shippingport and keep his family in the area. He is a member of utility IBEW Local Union 272. The rest ofthe economy in Beaver County has continued to decline with many businesses and plants closing with the more recent ones being Armstrong Industries and the Horsehead zinc plant where my Dad worked all his life. The local coal and nuclear plants have been a continuous pillar ofeconomic support forthe businesses and local economy for over4 decades duringthis time of economic turmoil. I sit on a community advisory panel for businesses in the Route 18corridor and the discussion recently from the chemical plants, trucking company, and other businesses has been their concern over power plants that have closed or are talking ofclosing in the region. They wantto be sure they have access to plenty of power at a reasonable pricing structure so their plants can maintain competitiveness in the global economy in which they compete.Igrew up within 6 miles ofthe coal and nuclear power plants and now live with myfamily within 2 miles, both places downwind ofthe sites Summarizing my comments, they are clearly about the vital economic opportunitythat has been created by the area power plants for past and present generations. The Agency has an opportunityto tailor the rules ofthe proposed Clean Power Plan in a mannerthat is realistic and economically sustainable. I hope the Agency develops awell-crafted energy plan that keeps the present generation workingand provides future generations economic opportunites by balancingthe needs ofworkingAmericans, our economy and the environment. Thank you for allowing me to present my inputtoday.