Stewards VISTA: Energy Communities Bloomberg - App Voices Y1

As energy opportunities expand, coal and power facility jobs are declining across the United States. This VISTA project will develop and advance programs that increase environmental awareness and stewardship, job training, employment pathways, and access to existing federal and community resources for low-income individuals living in energy transition communities.

Founded in 1997, Appalachian Voices works in Central and Southern Appalachia to bring people together to protect the land, air and water and advance a just transition to a generative and equitable clean energy economy. The New Economy for Appalachia program focuses on the key principles of community engagement, economic diversification, land restoration and growing the clean energy sector. Working with Appalachian Voices and the Workgroup provides a first-hand view of the challenges faced by low-income and energy communities while participating in the community-focused work revitalizing Central Appalachian coal communities. Between 2015 and 2020, 1,078 jobs were lost in mining industries, a 25% decline. Virginia's coalfield counties have an average per capita income of $20,913 and a 21.84% poverty rate, compared to the national 14.1%. Each county ranks as ¿disadvantaged¿ in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Four are categorized as "distressed," two are "at-risk," and one is "transitional," per the Appalachian Regional Commission¿s Economic Status and Distressed Areas map. This VISTA will provide meaningful capacity to the Solar Workgroup to further engage energy communities. This includes providing educational material and events on clean energy to community members, working to inform the next generation of energy workers, and developing new resources for the region. This ensures community members have a say in and benefit from the energy transition, including having opportunities to develop good-paying and lasting jobs in the clean energy industry.