On This West Virginia Morning, A Push For Renewable Jobs In Appalachia

On this West Virginia Morning, we discuss the idea of a “just transition” in Appalachia.

The show begins with a pitch from Democrats last week during the Democratic National Convention to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050. To do so, the party says it must invest millions in coal-dependent communities, creating strong union jobs in the renewable energy sector that will replace old jobs working with fossil fuels. 

Just one caveat – advocates for new jobs in West Virginia and the Ohio Valley say the plan doesn’t focus enough on Appalachia.  

Meanwhile, the Ohio Valley Resource has published a new book, “Appalachia Fall.” The public media collaborative between reporters in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia has spent years covering a region typically written off for a coal-heavy identity, with stories on labor strikes, agriculture, the discussion around renewable energy and addiction. 

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 AM on WVPB Radio, or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning