Green Energy Jobs Aren’t in Coal Locations

In the four years following the 2008 recession, the coal industry lost more than 49,000 jobs, while the natural gas, solar and wind industries together created nearly four times that amount.

“The counties that were very reliant on the coal industry are now in the most difficult position,” says senior author Lincoln Pratson. Kate Wellington, CC BY

In the four years following the 2008 recession, the coal industry lost more than 49,000 jobs, while the natural gas, solar and wind industries together created nearly four times that amount, according to new research.

A county-by-county geographical analysis of the losses and gains shows that few new jobs were added in regions hardest hit by coal’s decline, particularly counties in southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky.

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