Sylvie Willis
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is a major contributor to climate change, air pollution, and land disruption. Despite a global shift towards cleaner energy sources, many communities worldwide still rely heavily on coal and other fossil fuels for revenue, jobs, and energy generation. The transition to renewable energy sources poses significant economic and social challenges for these communities, who risk being left behind as the energy landscape evolves. Understanding the impact of this transition on affected communities is crucial for developing effective policies and strategies to ensure a just and equitable future for all.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people in the US relying on the coal, oil and gas industries for revenue and jobs | 64 million |
| Percentage of the population living in "disadvantaged" energy communities | 45% (28.5 million) |
| State with the highest share of people living in energy communities | West Virginia (89%) |
| Number of people in West Virginia living in disadvantaged energy communities | 984,000 |
| Number of Americans living in coal closure and fossil fuel energy communities | 64 million |
| Number of states that are not home to coal closure and fossil fuel energy communities | 4 |
| Global electricity generation from coal | Just over a third |
| Countries that have announced policies to restrict or prohibit financing for coal projects and investments | Japan |
| Countries and regions dependent on coal | Afghanistan, South Africa |
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What You'll Learn
- Communities rely on coal and fossil fuels for revenue, jobs, and local identity, so face economic and social consequences due to their dependence
- The US has 64 million people in fossil fuel communities, with 28.5 million disadvantaged
- West Virginia is heavily impacted by the transition away from coal and fossil fuels due to its high share of people in energy communities
- Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and a huge contributor to climate change, air pollution, and land disruption
- Coal mining and combustion have significant health and environmental impacts on communities, including air pollution, heart disease, and asthma
Communities rely on coal and fossil fuels for revenue, jobs, and local identity, so face economic and social consequences due to their dependence
Coal and fossil fuels have long been a significant source of revenue for many communities. In the US, thousands of neighbourhoods, comprising 64 million people, have historically relied on the coal, oil, and gas industries for income and
The transition to clean energy and the decommissioning of coal plants pose significant economic risks to these communities. Coal-dependent regions are often highly specialised, with the economy and local identity closely tied to the coal industry. As such, the closure of coal power plants could result in job losses and economic decline. For instance, in Montana, Big Horn County is facing a decline in federal royalties as coal extraction ends. Furthermore, communities that rely on coal revenue to fund public services, such as schools and roads, risk being unable to maintain these services or invest in new infrastructure.
The shift away from fossil fuels also raises concerns about the future of workers and communities, who may face economic hardships without policies to soften the blow. For example, the US has seen hundreds of coal-fired power plant closures, leading to over 50 coal mining and power companies filing for bankruptcy. Globally, the move towards cleaner energy sources is gaining momentum, with many governments restricting financing for coal projects. The Group of 7 (G7) ministers have recognised the need to end new unabated coal-fired power generation projects to accelerate the clean energy transition.
To address these challenges, governments should plan for the impacts on affected communities and workers. This includes establishing financial mechanisms, social safety nets, retraining programmes, and job relocation initiatives to ensure a just transition. Additionally, states can use their fossil fuel endowments creatively to advance the energy transition and diversify local economies. For instance, New Mexico's State Investment Council invests in renewable energy projects and companies. By managing closures appropriately and fostering investment in promising technologies, governments can ensure stable job creation opportunities and a smoother transition for communities reliant on coal and fossil fuels.
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The US has 64 million people in fossil fuel communities, with 28.5 million disadvantaged
The US has thousands of neighbourhoods, comprising 64 million people, that have historically relied on the oil, gas, and coal industries for revenue and jobs. This number represents almost one-fifth of Americans and includes people from all states except Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Idaho.
The transition away from fossil fuels has generated significant concerns about the future of these communities, with many facing economic hardships and a "'cumulative burden' of suffering multiple socioeconomic and environmental disadvantages. This includes health problems such as high rates of heart disease and asthma, excessive air pollution, high unemployment and poverty rates, and inaccessible transportation.
For example, West Virginia, a major contributor to US coal production, has seen a 38% decline in coal production in 2022 compared to 2010. As a result, 54% of the state's population, or 984,000 people, live in disadvantaged energy communities, facing multiple health, environmental, and socioeconomic burdens.
To address these challenges, the Biden Administration created the Justice40 Initiative to deliver at least 40% of the benefits of federal climate and clean energy investments to "disadvantaged communities" that are "marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution." Additionally, the Inflation Reduction Act defines "energy community" in three categories: coal closure, fossil fuel, and brownfields, providing a framework for directing investments to impacted communities.
The shift towards clean energy and the phasing out of fossil fuels are necessary steps to protect communities from the harmful impacts of pollution and climate change. However, it is crucial to implement policies that soften the economic blow and manage the transition, ensuring that fossil fuel workers and communities are not left behind.
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West Virginia is heavily impacted by the transition away from coal and fossil fuels due to its high share of people in energy communities
The transition away from coal has resulted in economic, environmental, and human impacts in West Virginia. The state has one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the nation, a high poverty rate of 16.8%lost a significant portion of its population to out-migration. The opioid epidemic has also hit the state hard, with an age-adjusted opioid overdose rate of 77.2 per 100,000. Additionally, there are more abandoned coal mines in West Virginia than anywhere else in the country, posing health and safety risks due to water pollution, gas leaks, mine fires, flooding, and landslides.
The federal government has recognized the need to support the transition in West Virginia, with the Inflation Reduction Act providing a 10% tax incentive for investments in "energy communities," which are disproportionately affected by the downturn in the fossil fuel industry. The state is also home to the Appalachian Climate Technology (ACT Now) Coalition, which received the largest rural grant in the Build Back Better Regional Challenge to drive a just transition to clean energy.
However, the transition away from coal and fossil fuels has been challenging for West Virginia, and the state has struggled to adapt to new economic priorities. The state's politicians have been criticized for blaming the decline of the coal industry on the Obama administration's environmental regulations rather than managing the state through the transition. The failure to address the dependence on coal revenue has resulted in unnecessary pain for the state and its residents.
Overall, West Virginia is heavily impacted by the transition away from coal and fossil fuels due to its high share of people in energy communities. The state is facing economic, environmental, and social challenges as it moves away from its historical reliance on the coal industry.
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Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and a huge contributor to climate change, air pollution, and land disruption
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and its use has severe impacts on the environment, contributing to climate change, air pollution, and land disruption.
Climate Change
Coal is a major source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels. In 2022, coal-fired power generation accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. The release of these emissions contributes to intensifying climate change.
Air Pollution
Coal-fired power plants emit toxic substances into the air, including mercury and other heavy metals, which have been linked to neurological and developmental damage in humans and animals. Additionally, coal ash, a residue created during coal burning, can contain pollutants that, if released into the atmosphere, can have adverse health effects on nearby communities.
Land Disruption
Surface mining, a common method of coal extraction, involves removing large amounts of soil and rock to access coal deposits. This process often requires clearing forests and stripping away the earth, leaving behind barren land incapable of supporting wildlife. Mountaintop removal, a particularly destructive form of surface mining, utilizes explosives to remove mountain tops, drastically altering the landscape. This practice has severely impacted the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and Kentucky, affecting water quality and harming aquatic life.
Communities that rely heavily on coal revenue from mining for essential services such as schools and roads are particularly vulnerable to the transition away from coal. As markets, consumers, and governments shift towards cheaper renewable energy sources, these communities face significant economic challenges and the risk of being left behind.
To address these issues, governments and industries are working to develop and deploy cleaner technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), to reduce emissions and environmental impacts. Additionally, policies and investments aimed at supporting affected communities and workers during the transition to cleaner energy sources are crucial to ensure a just and equitable future.
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Coal mining and combustion have significant health and environmental impacts on communities, including air pollution, heart disease, and asthma
Coal mining and combustion have significant adverse effects on the health and environment of communities, particularly those in close proximity to coal facilities. In the United States, almost one-fifth of the population, or 64 million people, reside in coal-dependent communities. These communities are burdened by the cumulative negative impacts of coal, including pollution, poor health, unemployment, poverty, and environmental degradation.
Coal combustion releases toxic pollutants, including mercury, formaldehyde, nitrous oxides, and particulate matter, which have detrimental effects on human health. Communities near coal-fired power plants experience excessive air pollution, leading to increased rates of respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ozone pollution, caused by the interaction of emissions from coal-fired plants with heat and sunlight, creates smog, a toxic lung irritant that exacerbates respiratory issues.
Coal mining, particularly mountaintop removal mining, significantly impacts the environment and human health. This mining technique alters the landscape, as explosives are used to remove mountain tops, filling valleys and burying streams under rock and dirt. The water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants that harm aquatic life and contaminate downstream environments. Communities near mountaintop removal mines have significantly higher rates of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases compared to other regions. Additionally, coal mining releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and poses explosion risks in underground mines.
The health impacts of coal combustion extend beyond respiratory issues. Toxic pollutants from coal plants increase the risk of heart conditions such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Mercury released during coal burning is a neurotoxin that can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in developing fetuses and children. Exposure to mercury during pregnancy can lead to problems with memory, attention, language, and motor skills in children.
Transitioning away from coal and fossil fuels is essential to mitigate these health and environmental impacts. However, it is crucial to implement policies that support a just transition for affected communities, ensuring economic alternatives and addressing the cumulative burdens they face.
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Frequently asked questions
West Virginia and Texas are two states that will be heavily impacted by the transition away from coal and fossil fuels. West Virginia, in particular, has been a major contributor to US coal production, consistently making up more than 10% of the US coal supply since 2001.
Coal-dependent regions are often specialised "mono-industry" areas, where the economy and local identity are closely tied to the coal industry. As a result, the closure of power plants could have significant economic and social consequences for these communities, including job losses and reduced revenue for public services.
Coal and fossil fuel use contribute to air pollution, releasing pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and heavy metals like mercury. These emissions have serious health impacts, including respiratory illnesses such as asthma and lung disease. Additionally, coal mining can result in land disruption and water contamination.
