Appalachian Climate Technologies Coalition (ACT Now)
Coalition Lead: Coalfield Development
Phase 2 Award: $62.8 million
Private Investment (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): $19 million
Additional Public and Nonprofit Funding (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): $627 million
Project Description:
The Appalachian Climate Technology coalition (ACT Now) is utilizing a $62.8 million BBBRC grant to spur job growth in 21 economically distressed and coal-impacted counties in southern West Virginia by creating a hub of clean energy and green economy jobs. After decades of decline in the coal economy and its related environmental impacts, the coalition is addressing the region’s legacy of persistent poverty and disinvestment by supporting the transition from coal to solar power.
The coalition is uniting regional partners, including the Capital Area Development Corporation of West Virginia, the City of Huntington, Generation West Virginia, The West Virginia Community Development Hub, West Virginia University, Appalachian Voices, and Marshall University.
As of September 2024, the coalition has made significant strides in achieving its vision of a just and equitable clean energy transition in the state:
- Coalfield Development Corporation, with its partners Solar Holler, Generation WV, and Marshall University, has developed curriculum and training programs for West Virginia workers to develop skills relevant for solar project development, and have so far trained over 300 workers.
- West Virginia University has developed a prototype dashboard of its “Zillow for Former Mine Lands” in order to understand what factors contribute to successful redevelopment of former and abandoned mine lands into assets for communities, such as industrial parks, solar projects, and parks. This dashboard will eventually be able to be used by developers to site redevelopment projects.
- The West Virginia Community Development Hub’s Community and Business Resilience Initiative has supported entrepreneurial training and support programs for local workers and businesses in Advantage Valley and New River Gorge. So far, programs have served over 500 businesses and helped create 74 new full-time jobs.
Coalition Overarching Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)
“Historically, southern West Virginia has supplied the nation’s energy demands through its coal mono-economy; and with the long downturn of the industry, those communities are now some of the most devastated in the nation. ACT Now is deploying a new historic opportunity to diversify the region’s economy and make it more sustainable.”
Appalachian Climate Technologies Coalition
Related Links
- Learn about how this coalition is retraining workers for clean energy jobs.
- Learn about how this coalition is supporting communities and businesses.
- Learn about how this coalition is revitalizing brownfield sites for new innovative opportunities.
In the News
Additional Designations Earned in Region
