MODELING A JUST TRANSITION IN VIRGINIA’S COALFIELDS:

This report describes some of those strategies and models with the goal of contributing to the ongoing dialogue about how to advance an energy and economic transition that enables all stakeholders in a community to actively engage in decisions about the area’s future. [...] Still, the results provide valuable insights for Appalachian Voices and for other state, regional, and federal entities involved in energy and economic devel- opment, and the survey demonstrates an accessible, feasible and low-cost method of collecting community feedback. [...] The rapid and extensive transformations occurring in the energy and mining sectors underscore the urgency to hold industry actors, developers, and policymakers accountable to practices that uphold the rights of communities. [...] The workgroup invites the public to each of its monthly meetings, has a robust website designed to update and educate stakeholders on different scales of solar deployment 17 in the region, and publishes a monthly e-newsletter. [...] The workgroup put out a solicitation seeking to build a relationship with a solar developer to advance development at community anchor buildings in a way that is equitable and con- tributed to the goals of the workgroup.