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Drawing on local strengths, the town of Shawnee is combining outdoor recreation and downtown revitalization to create economic opportunity.

“Those most affected by coal’s collapse don’t have to be collateral damage in the transition to renewable energy; we can be the leaders of an entirely new and better economy. In fact, I believe Appalachians have the exact skills our country will need to remain globally competitive in this new, more sustainable economy.”

For Flaccavento, the National Economic Transition platform provides the investment needed for Appalachian communities to navigate a second economic transition.

Industry experts say that lower energy demand, spurred by the pandemic, is responsible for the decline.

“Coal companies won’t like this idea — they’ll want to keep those tax credits. But why should Southwest Virginia tie its fate to an industry that has clearly not made the region wealthy when there’s an opportunity to create an entirely new economy?”

As the state’s utilities move toward renewables, recent legislation aims to keep coal in use.

As coal companies struggle to transfer their mining permits during bankruptcy, environmental liabilities are unaccounted for.

The plan, which is likely to accelerate the closure of coal plants, faces a public review period and questions about coal community impacts.

A new report says that large solar developments could create tens of thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity in the region.

“The people of Illinois have had a long-standing, proud history of providing energy for families across the state. Let’s continue our proud history by moving forward into a legacy where we can provide a just transition to a new energy economy.”