Transfer of Power: Life After Coal

For over a century, coal fueled much of the country and served as the economic backbone for many rural communities. But with the rise of more affordable wind and solar energy, coal is in decline, leaving these towns increasingly vulnerable. As jobs disappear, coal-dependent communities are faced with the threat of economic collapse and depopulation. 

To adapt, many are working to diversify their economies, seeking new industries and opportunities for the future. Today, we’ll visit coal communities across the country, where locals and leaders are actively exploring ways to rebuild and ensure no one is left behind in the energy transition. 

This episode also features field reporting from Climate One and Caitlin Tan of Wyoming Public Media on the transition from coal to nuclear power in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Chris Levesque

CEO, TerraPower

Brian Muir

Kemmerer City Administrator

Tony Skrelunas

Executive Director of the Division of Economic Development, Navajo Nation

Mike Eisenfeld

Energy and Climate Program Manager, San Juan Citizens Alliance

Early in 2025, Climate One’s newsletter will move to a new email provider. In order to ensure you continue to receive our newsletter, we need your help. Starting in January, this newsletter will be sent from the email address newsletter@climateone.org. To avoid interruptions in delivery, save this email address to your contacts ahead of time.

Rest assured, our newsletter will still include the same great information you’ve come to look forward to each Friday — it will simply come from a different address. If you have any questions about this transition, reply to this message and a Climate One staffer will be happy to help.

Thank you!

Voluntary conservation efforts by farmers and cooperation between federal, state, and tribal governments have helped Lake Mead’s water level rise 16 feet in two years. The remarkable recovery of the largest reservoir in the United States was achieved a mere three years after the Bureau of Reclamation warned Nevada, Arizona and California that urgent water use reduction was necessary to prevent Lake Mead from running dry.

However, the seven states that rely on the Colorado River for their water supply appear to be at an impasse on the future distribution of reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell. While the 16-foot rise of Lake Mead is promising, the two man-made lakes remain approximately two-thirds below capacity. The current agreement governing the distribution of Colorado River water between seven western states expires in 2026, and negotiations appear to have stalled. The longer the stalemate endures, the greater the chance that the Supreme Court will be asked to intervene and dictate a plan for water use — a possibility all parties appear to dread.

The Colorado River has been over-allocated for more than two decades. Once climate change-induced decreases in precipitation are factored in, it becomes clear that the new agreement must lead to cuts in water use in all seven states, but no state wants to be the one to concede critical water supply first. Further complicating matters is the emerging environmental disaster at the Salton Sea. Since the sea was artificially created, water conservation along the Colorado River causes the Salton Sea to evaporate, exposing the toxic materials along the seabed to the winds.

PLUS:

In 2023, the California Air Resources Board finalized rules that will phase out diesel heavy-duty trucks in favor of zero-emission alternatives by 2042. Residents of heavily industrialized areas like Wilmington and West Oakland have long suffered from respiratory problems due in large part to big rig emissions, but the return of a Trump presidency has sparked fear that the federal government may once again intervene and attempt to block California’s regulations.

And then there are those working in freight hauling. While many trucking companies oppose the regulations, drivers are divided on the matter. To better understand the complicated future of heavy-duty trucking, revisit Climate One’s interview with four industry leaders from last August.

Source: npj Climate Action

We know that the end of the year is rife with funding appeals. But as we prepare for the start of a second Trump presidency and the attacks on our environment that are sure to follow, we hope you'll consider becoming a supporter of Climate One.

By joining Climate One’s Patreon for just $5/month, you can help ensure our weekly show continues to bring in-depth climate coverage to listeners across the country. And as an added bonus, all Patreon supporters receive access to every episode completely free of ads. 

Thank you for empowering crucial climate conversations.