As the global community continues to grapple with the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Atlantic Council is open for business. Our business, meetings, and events, however, are occurring virtually. For more information, please read an update from our President and CEO.

The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center is hosting a virtual event on Monday, December 14, 2020, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EST to discuss local perspectives on coal community economic development during the energy transition. The event will open with presentations by Jason Walsh, Executive Director, BlueGreen Alliance and Adele Morris, Policy Director, Climate and Energy Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The event will also feature an expert panel discussion with Brandon Dennison, CEO of Coalfield Development in Wayne, WV, Jill Morrison, Executive Director of the Powder River Basin Resource Council in Sheridan, WY, Amanda Woodrum, Senior Researcher at Policy Matters Ohio, and Emmett Pepper, Executive Director of Energy Efficient West Virginia. The panel will be co-moderated by Jason Walsh and George Frampton, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center.

As the United States continues its transition from coal and other fossil fuels to clean energy, there is increased commitment, including from President-elect Biden, to the country’s workers and communities who have long produced fossil fuels. In anticipation of a new administration and the need for broad economic redevelopment following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is both a challenge and opportunity to ensure that these communities can prosper within the clean energy future.

Previous federal economic development efforts have had varying degrees of success. Alternatively, at the community level, innovative and impactful efforts are well underway (see Coal Community Sourcebook, Reimagine Appalachia Blueprint, National Economic Transition Platform). Discussion between community and national policy leaders can foster sustainable policy approaches to ensure a prosperous future for these communities. This event will present past federal initiatives and feature the perspectives of influential local leaders.

Please join this conversation via the web application Zoom, which is accessible through your web browser, the Zoom desktop or mobile app, and by phone. If you wish to join the question and answer period, you must join by app or web. You must register to receive further information on how to join the virtual audience.

Agenda

Welcome and introduction

George T. Frampton
Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center
Atlantic Council

Presentations by 

Jason Walsh
Executive Director
BlueGreen Alliance

Adele Morris
Policy Director, Climate and Energy Policy Program
Brookings Institution 

A conversation with

Amanda Woodrum
Senior Researcher
Policy Matters Ohio

Brandon Dennison
CEO
Coalfield Development 

Emmett Pepper
Executive Director
Energy Efficient West Virginia

​​​​Jill Morrison
Executive Director
Powder River Basin Resource Council

Moderated by

George T. Frampton
Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center
Atlantic Council

Jason Walsh
Executive Director
BlueGreen Alliance

Related experts

Learn more about the Global Energy Center