A state agency director says the Tennessee Valley Authority employees slated for layoffs in Alabama will receive the same services as workers laid off by private industries.
The director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Jim Byard, says that once a closing date is known for TVA's six coal-fired generating units, the state will help laid-off workers with a variety of services. They include applying for unemployment insurance, getting job referrals, preparing resumes and securing money for job retraining.
The TVA board has decided to close all five coal-burning units at its Colbert plant in Tuscumbia and one of two remaining units at its Widows Creek plant in Stevenson.
Colbert employs 150 people and Widows Creek 175. TVA says it's unclear how many will lose their jobs.
