The Future of Energy and Sustainability Challenge

West Virginia has been tied to the fossil energy industry since the early 20th Century. This, along with the chemical industry, have been the state’s principal economic drivers. The decline of the fossil energy industry began in the middle 20th Century and rapidly accelerated as the 20th Century ended. The result was that many smaller rural communities, and particularly “company towns,” lost their economic base and population — leaving behind the environmental legacy of the industry along with impoverished communities with aging populations and decaying infrastructure.

Entering the 21st Century, the promise offered by shale gas afforded some relief in a few, but not most of these areas. But that is likely to be short-lived, as it is anticipated that global response to climate change will erode what is left of the fossil energy industry by the middle of the 21st Century as clean energy becomes dominant. West Virginia will need to adapt to the change by developing new sources for energy, and diversifying its economy, while rebuilding its critical infrastructure. This offers an advantage and significant opportunity to rebuilding in a sustainable manner that will provide greater community resilience.