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Healthcare crisis in coal country as industry sinks

Public services are collapsing in Campbell County, Wyo., as laid-off miners relocate, taking spouses who work in healthcare with them. Two small-town hospitals in West Virginia have closed this year.

Energy News Network

Battle quickens over future of miners

As change continues, tensions grow: “This tug of war between preserving living-wage, unionized coal jobs and addressing climate change is playing out across the country at every level of government.”

In Colorado, a promise to those who lose coal jobs

A municipally owned power company will transfer workers to new jobs as it shuts down coal-fired power. “"I believe we can do this with no layoffs," the company CEO said.

Another Indiana utility distances itself from coal

“The market has spoken,” said a Vectron executive in announcing that the 145,000-customer utility will shift its dependency on coal from 78 to 12 percent. "These old dinosaurs are done.”

Podcast: Making coalfield communities whole

Local social consequences of the transition from fossil-fuel extractive industries like coal pose complicated policy questions around how to see that change occurs with communities, families and workers in mind.

GreenTech Media

U.S coal production forecast to drop by 23.2% this year

The federal government’s latest outlook for U.S. coal companies shows a continued decline as demand plummets across the board, meaning more coal facilities could close quickly without the opportunity for communities to plan for an economic transition.

S&P Global/Platts

Coal’s collapse under COVID-19 adds urgency to just transition movement

“We need justice, we need health care and we need benefits,” goes the message from advocates pushing back against a major coal-industry effort to kill federally mandated Black Lung coverage.

Energy News Network

An independent push for Navajo off-the-grid power

“We have over 300 days of sunlight throughout the year,” says the co-founder of the Oakland-based Native Renewables. “We’re in a prime area to develop and manage our own power.”

Op-Ed: Coalfield Appalachia needs a new plan

“Investing in community-led, adaptable enterprises creates a foundation for long-term growth and prosperity,” writes the author, who calls for long-term promotion of post-coal communities that are built around better-diversified businesses.

Charleston Gazette-Mail

Op-ed: As Navajo Nation goes, so goes Arizona

Collaboration between tribal and state leaders, federal officials, and investors will be crucial for the reinvention of an economy that depended on coal and must retool now for the future.

Arizona Republic

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