BY IAN CROUCH
The state government is today launching the start of a process to establish new authorities to assist coal-producing communities such as the Hunter to transition to renewable energy and the jobs which come with it.
It all starts with the Future Jobs and Investment Authorities issues paper to be launched in Muswellbrook today.
More than 125,000 people are employed across the state in coal or coal-related jobs and the authorities will be looking at ways to support workers in future.
The government says by 2040 all four of the state's coal-fired power stations and 32 of the state's 39 coal mines will close.
