How Big Is Big Coal? Public Perceptions of the Coal Industry’s Economic Impact in West Virginia

Abstract

The coal industry has played a major role in the culture and history of the state of West Virginia, establishing an identity as the "backbone" of the economy in this region. However, as the mining process has become more mechanized, employment has declined and risks have increased, but support for the industry continues. This study explores research that could provide explanations for this phenomenon and examines whether there is an overestimation of the role of the coal industry in the regional economy. We also examine factors that may affect one's perceptions of the economic impact of the industry. In particular, certain demographic qualities or ideological tendencies described in previous work by Bell and York are shown to have some effect on these perceptions.

The Coal Crisis in Appalachia: Agrarian Transformation, Commodity Frontiers and the Geographies of Capital

“…Currently, the number of jobs created in West Virginia from the coal industry is 22,000, while in tourism 72,100 jobs have been created (Blaacker et al. , 395). In southern West Virginia, the state has constructed over 500 miles of ATV trails across public–private lands, including nearby mining properties, known as the Hatfield–McCoy Trails (Burns ).…”

“…Mine employment in West Virginia stands at around 21,000, making up 3 per cent of the state's total employment (Blaacker et al. , 386). In 2004, the West Virginia the coal industry contributed US$3.5 billion to the gross state product, less than retail trade (US$4 billion), health care and social assistance (US$4.8 billion) and government (US$8.4 billion) (Bell and York , 121).…”

Killing Martin county : resiliency in a central Appalachian community.

“…In response to these conditions, the industry began employing less labor intensive and cheaper forms of mining in the late 1970s. The shift has caused coal-mining jobs to decrease by two thirds in the region (Tallichet 2014), as well as increase the severity of environmental stressors in Central Appalachia (Blaacker, Woods, & Oliver 2012).…”

“…Lewin (2017) (Friends of Coal 2017). The organization also sponsors a NASCAR driver (Blaacker, Woods, & Oliver 2012). The overuse of propaganda is a constant reminder and reinforcement of this culture, ideology, and polarizes people as supporters or opponents.…”

The Impacts of Energy Development on Agricultural Land Values in North-Central West Virginia

“…The coal business has assumed a noteworthy part in the way of life and history of the state of West Virginia, setting up an identity as the spine of the economy in the region. Nevertheless, as the mining procedure has turned out to be more mechanized, work has declined and risks have gotten higher, yet advocating for the industry proceeds (Blaacker, Woods, and Oliver, 2012).…”