Transitioning Beyond Extreme Energy in Harlan County, Kentucky

Communities around the world have been transformed by coal. Today, many communities are weaning their economic modes of production from the fossil fuel systems to renewable sources of energy that emphasize energy efficiency and sustainable development. In the long run, this energy transition is expected to have an overall positive effect on the health and well-being of communities and the environment. However, this energy transition has had negative effects on communities that have relied on fossil fuels for employment and economic growth. Coal mining communities have borne the brunt of the negative effects as mines close, unemployment rises, communities depopulate, tax revenues decrease, and environmental contamination threatens the water quality. Many of these communities have had to rethink, reinvent, rebuild, and revitalize their economies. Kentucky has a rich history, especially when it comes to coal mining. The heart of coal country in Harlan County, Kentucky, can be found in two former coal company towns, Benham and Lynch. These neighboring towns are situated in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky in the shadow of Black Mountain. This coal-rich mountain is part of the Appalachian Mountain range, one of the oldest in the world. In this paper, I highlight the changes and continuities of these Harlan County communities as they transition from a coal economy into one based on renewable energy and energy efficiency. More importantly, I bring literature on sustainability transitions into conversation with constructivist and relational Science and Technology Studies perspectives to gain insights into the collective participatory practices and procedures that have contributed to successful sustainability transitions in Harlan County