An examination of coal mining versus renewable energy: How this “Just Transition” is starting to heal Southern Appalachia’s land and people.

Coal Mining has been the economic backbone of many communities in Southern Appalachia for over a century. As our nation and the world begin to feel the concrete effects of climate change, communities need to prepare for the necessary transition to renewable energy. We sought to gain a better understanding of how the transition away from industrial coal mining into renewable energy sources has changed the lives of not only the miners and their families but also the community at large, presently. Results were limited to peer reviewed academic journal materials and publications that are published by reputable and relevant sources with publication dates ranging from 2013 to 2023. The Key Search Terms were: “Coal” “Appalachia” “Renewable” “Energy” and “Just Transition.” Of the 109 articles that resulted roughly 82 were eliminated due to not aligning fully with our topic. Another 14 were removed because they did not deal with Appalachia. Out of the 13 remaining, eight were from scholarly journals, three were from scientific websites, and two were from both a book and a doctoral dissertation concerning the “Just Transition.” The review of our chosen sources supports the facts that there is a social movement away from coal and into renewable energy resources. The growing pains associated with this transformation have been taxing for the communities involved but, research indicates, the gains from new renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal far outweigh any temporary financial booms gained from continuing to invest community resources in mining coal and cutting timber. These outdated modes of wealth accumulation have proven to be both harmful and ephemeral. The cost in the deteriorating health of both the miners and their families has been catastrophic for Appalachians. Black Lung and other pulmonary ailments as well as the Opioid Epidemic have lowered average life expectancies for the first time in generations. The transition into both natural gas and the use of renewables has made coal companies cut costs in both supervision and safety. The results have crippled and disabled many coal miners, driven them to the use of powerful opioids and the resulting black market even caused a small coal mine support town in Southwest Virginia, Norton, to become the “Oxycontin Capital of the World.” The technologies involved with renewable energy sources and subsequent cleaning up of the environment around reclaimed mines will create more jobs than the mines ever did and the extra capital will allow these towns, communities, and this region to grow robust and thriving public service and utility infrastructures that will heal both the great land and great people of Southern Appalachia