Wednesday, October 16th from Noon – 3 PM ET via Zoom
Coal plants reimagined
Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 from Noon-3 pm ET via Zoom – ReImagine Appalachia explored the challenges and potential of creating sustainable development at the sites of former coal plants, and how communities could have a strong voice in redevelopment planning. In 2023, nearly 250 people registered for the event, and it launched many important regional conversations and connections.
Shuttered coal plants across Appalachia were once the main source of good jobs and the foundation for economic prosperity for many communities. Many are closed and more are being retired from service. Yet today there is new opportunity to turn them from liabilities into assets.
New federal investment incentives position these blighted properties for redevelopment. Many of the new incentives require the community to have a strong voice in redevelopment planning. We must redevelop sites in ways that create equivalent good jobs and tax base for local communities.
Event resources
As part of this event, ReImagine Appalachia will be sharing our new Shuttered Coal Plant Community Toolkit, which is designed to provide resources for communities navigating new opportunities for closing coal plants.
This event explored how to engage communities around shuttered coal plants, climate friendly manufacturing opportunities, financing and funding streams, and share case studies of examples and potential in the region.
Event Agenda
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 1: Option 1
Finding Federal Funding to Redevelop Your Shuttered Coal Plant
Breakout Session 1: Option 2
Transforming Shuttered Coal Plants into Eco-Manufacturing Hub
Breakout Session 1: Option 3
Case Studies: Community Approaches to Shuttered Coal Plants
Breakout Session 1: Option 4
Coordinating for Workers Facing Energy Transition at the State and National Level
Breakout Session 1: Option 5
Tools in Action: Economic Development and Sustainable Manufacturing Tools and How They Can Work for You
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 2: Option 1
From Community Visioning to Community Benefits
Breakout Session 2: Option 2
Community Focused Funding and Technical Assistance
Breakout Session 2: Option 3
Remediation and the Shuttered Coal Plant
Breakout Session 2: Option 4
Site Development Considerations
Breakout Session 2: Option 5
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Grief, coal plants and culture