Appalachian Voices report details some economic strategies for Southwest Virginia coal counties

Southwest Virginia is justifiably proud of its longtime role as an energy producer. With the coal industry’s inevitable decline, many in the coalfields are interested in finding ways for the region to retain that role — and the jobs and economic development that accompany it. But this time, our communities should not be saddled with the harmful local impacts, such as dirty water and unsafe air, that too often accompanied coal production.

When we talk about a “just transition” to clean energy, we think about how Virginia’s coalfield communities — often marginalized or economically disadvantaged — have for decades been subjected to a disproportionate share of the pollutants, hazards and risks associated with coal mining, and how little lasting benefit they’ve seen in return.

The shift to cleaner energy is underway, but whether or not it centers justice and considers all the stakeholders and voices within a community is not a given.

A just transition will center these communities’ needs and ensure that they are involved in the decision-making process about future energy projects and other decisions that will profoundly affect them.

Community engagement is key to identifying local needs, desires and concerns.

Appalachian Voices recently released a report describing some of the strategies and models our organization has developed to assist with a just transition in the Southwest Virginia coalfields, including the results of a survey of a range of local government leaders about their views of different energy technologies and other concerns faced by their communities.

Our hope is that policymakers, developers and others in authority would use similar strategies when working on the region’s energy transition — but the recently concluded General Assembly session demonstrated that engaging and empowering local communities isn’t very high on most legislators’ agendas.

Legislation expanding shared solar did pass, allowing customers of Appalachian Power who don’t have their own solar panels to buy power from solar arrays operated by a third party and advancing a priority of many local Southwest Virginia leaders.

But legislators also introduced bills to allow the state to overrule local opposition to energy projects, even if it meant ignoring changes to local zoning regulations.

While these efforts may have been meant to help speed renewable energy development over local objections that are sometimes based on misinformation, there are better ways.

Engaging and educating local communities in early stages of project development to earn the buy-in of residents and local officials — while actively listening and reacting to their concerns — for instance, would be a far more effective strategy than steamrolling over local opposition.

The engagement we’re advocating for doesn’t have to be difficult. The survey described in our report, for instance, was undertaken with the assistance of undergraduate students in a Civic Innovation class at Emory & Henry College.

Such a survey is one tool in a toolbox that energy project developers can use to build solid community relationships and enduring, mutually beneficial projects. Practices like providing accessible and clear information about a proposed project don’t just empower individuals in a community to actively participate in discussions and decision-making, they also can help the developer address any misconceptions or concerns early on.

Today, there are a wide range of opportunities for Southwest Virginia communities. These changes can bring welcome benefits to us and our neighbors — but only if we all have a seat at the table and an opportunity to shape these consequential decisions.

Emma Kelly is new economy field coordinator for Appalachian Voices .

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