A West Virginia town historically reliant on coal is pivoting to clean energy. While some residents remain skeptical, promising developments could pay off in the long run.

In February, NPR detailed how Keyser, a town of around 5,000 people, saw its first wind turbines installed in 2012. Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, West Virginia has seen an infusion of funds for renewable energy projects.

"There's all this green energy money coming to West Virginia, and the last two years have seen more economic development announcements than I can remember in this state," said Hoppy Kercheval, host of West Virginia MetroNews' radio program "Talkline."

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor, cited by NPR, shows that the number of coal miners in the United States has dropped by 90% since the industry's peak about a century ago. This decline was driven by a shift toward natural gas and automation technology starting in the 1980s, but the sector was already waning as early as the 1920s. Keyser was no exception.

Now, a new era is on the horizon as the world adopts less polluting ways of generating electricity. In addition to mitigating climate change, powering the world with clean energy sources offers significant economic and health benefits.

Coal is by far the dirtiest fuel. When burned, it releases toxic substances linked to serious health problems, including cancer, according to the Climate Council.

As Keyser and other towns in West Virginia navigate this transition, the hope is that embracing renewable energy will not only lead to a healthier environment but also revitalize local economies traditionally dependent on coal.

Source:thecooldown.com