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Sunsetting Coal Tax Credits: Where Will That Money Go Now?

AP Photo / Steve Helber

The coal industry in Virginia is shrinking, and coal tax credits are on their way out.

Renewable energy and data science will be among the new course offerings at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise – funded by savings from sunsetting Virginia's coal tax credits.

Senator Jeremy McPike of Prince William County introduced a bill to sunset the credits, and now Governor Ralph Northam is amending the bill to direct that funding to UVA Wise. McPike says the governor is fulfilling a campaign promise to help the struggling region.

"I know there's a lot of criticism in the past about Southwest, and a feeling from those in Southwest that Democrats have ignored Southwest Virginia," McPike explains. "Words are words, but actions are another thing. And we're taking action to make real investment into Southwest Virginia."

Kathy Still at UVA Wise says all the details have yet to be worked out about how the money will be spent.

"It appears this money will be earmarked for us to use for academic programs, and one of our missions would be to create academic programs that benefit the region," Still says. "We're an economic driver for the region, and that's something we want to continue to do."

The estimated dollar value: more than 6 million a year.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Michael Pope is an author and journalist who lives in Old Town Alexandria.