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Climate Center Stage in New Administration

Courtesy Natural Capital Investment Fund, © Sam Levitan

With the new administration putting climate at the top of the agenda, advocates for coal communities in transition are asking for a seat at the table--- literally. They hope to see an ‘Office of Economic Transition’ created in the White House to reinforce the idea that climate change and climate justice must go hand in hand.  

The new administration has as one of its urgent goals, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create a new clean energy economy. Community advocates want to make sure former coal country is not forgotten as the nation transitions to new energy sources.

“We really have a moment where there's a chance for bold action on climate change.”

Jeremy Richardson is Senior Energy Analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“And I think what we're saying is, when we make those ambitious commitments to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we really need to make sure that everybody has a fighting chance to be a part of that new clean energy economy. And that means really targeting and being deliberate about driving investments into the communities that have helped power our nation for generations.” 

As renewable energy’s star rises, coal economies are declining rapidly. That’s concerning to people like Thom Kay, legislative director at the environmental advocacy group, Appalachian Voices.  He has been working with many groups for over a year to prepare for this kind of energy transition see on the horizon.

They weren’t sure what a new administration might do with their proposal. But when it became clear Joe Biden would become president, they sent their ideas and request to the new administration.

“In the next six months, the Biden administration and Congress are going to invest trillions of dollars in taking on climate and infrastructure and economic stimulus” says Kay, “We need a lot of that to go to economic transition in coal communities across the country.”

After hundreds of years of coal as a dominant source of energy, they know it will take time to create a new paradigm that saves energy and creates new endeavors leading to good jobs.

For decades, coal has often been a good living for entire families, and still is in some. But as momentum for clean energy increases, the coal economy pays the price.

The plan put forward to the new administration is to chart a course toward, not only zero emissions, but also new economies where coal is no longer king.

Robbie Harris is based in Blacksburg, covering the New River Valley and southwestern Virginia.