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A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State Economic diversification Jeremy Richardson in West Virginia November 2013 The transition to a clean energy economy is a frighten- ing prospect for states and communities firmly rooted in the fossil fuel economy. Partly as a result, debate about our nation’s energy policy has become toxic in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian region.
Discussions of environmental concerns—whether related to importance of coal to West Virginia, and analyzed the economic mountaintop removal, hydraulic fracturing, or climate change— importance of future coal production for the state and the tend to send people to opposing corners, with neither side willing potential to diversify its economy. to budge, or even to engage in civil discourse. And parties too often Even in the heart of coal country, people recognize that focus on the tension between job growth and environmental things are changing. I believe that by concentrating on the protection, assuming that the two are mutually exclusive. opportunities that lie ahead—and by directly addressing the As the son and brother of West Virginia coal miners, I see a challenges we face—we can ensure a vibrant future for desperate need and a timely opportunity for a more constructive generations of West Virginians to come. conversation. This report summarizes a meeting that represents the culmination of a 21-month research project I completed for Jeremy Richardson the Union of Concerned Scientists through its Kendall Science Senior energy analyst Fellowship. In my research, I studied the cultural and historical Union of Concerned Scientists
If coal is King, he hasn’t taken very good care of his subjects. —Lieutenant Governor and Senate President Jeff Kessler
Context to these changes by idling coal mines across the region and laying off mine workers. Coal has been an important part of West Virginia’s economy To explore the potential to diversify the state’s economy— almost since it achieved statehood in 1863. Talk of the future of and celebrate local successes in pursuing new paths to economic coal evokes strong emotions: state residents identify with coal development—the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) partnered and take pride in its history. As West Virginia celebrates its with the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and the 150th birthday, however, coal faces enormous challenges, and West Virginia Community Development Hub to convene “A its importance in the state’s economy is on the decline. Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State.” The forum Low natural gas prices and slow growth in demand for took place on September 3 and 4, 2013, at the Clay Center electricity have led to a drop in coal consumption nationally— for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, West Virginia. with significant implications for West Virginia’s coal industry. The forum posed a critical question: “What do we want Shrinking reserves are also making the coal in Central Appalachia West Virginia to be like in 30 years?” This focus allowed speakers more difficult to mine, and therefore more costly. Southern and other participants to consider what the state could Company, which operates 46 gigawatts of generating capacity offer to ensure that their kids and grandkids can work and in four southeastern states, now sources about a fifth of its coal live in the places where they grow up. The question also from Central Appalachia. Following electricity industry trends, allowed participants to break out of the tired jobs-versus- however, it plans to all but remove the region’s coal from its fuel the-environment frame that dominates most conversations mix because it is too expensive. The coal industry has responded about the state’s future.
2 union of concerned scientists Cover photo: © Todd Spink/NREL Stacy JarrellStacy
Attendees at the start of Wednesday morning’s program.
Some 200 people—representing an unusually diverse • The state also faces multiple challenges that it must mix of perspectives—attended the forum’s keynote addresses, address in a comprehensive way. three panel discussions, and documentary screening. Speak- In opening the conference, Jeremy Richardson, now a UCS ers and other attendees included business owners, energy senior energy analyst, pointed out that the state’s “current industry executives, state and local officials, members of faith path is not sustainable,” given the decline in coal production communities, labor representatives, academics, environmen- in southern West Virginia. Using projections from the federal talists, and individuals from nonprofits spearheading local Energy Information Administration, he showed that the coal economic development. Reporters also attended, and media industry is likely to continue to shrink as a share of the state’s interest in the event was strong. (For the forum agenda, a list economy, underscoring the critical need for economic of participants, and speaker biographies, see Appendices A, diversification. B, and C, respectively. For excerpts from media coverage However, most events designed to explore West Virginia’s of the event, see Appendix D.) future are one-sided, attracting either environmental activists This report highlights the main themes emerging from or coal supporters, but rarely both. The Bright Future forum the Bright Future forum. These include: sought to find common ground. Toward that end, organizers • West Virginia must have a vision to carry it through the asked keynote speakers and panelists to cite model programs challenge of fostering a future that will inevitably look and specific solutions in West Virginia and elsewhere that different from the past. suggest a path toward a sustainable economic future. • Regional and local leaders are beginning to spur and Addressing an evening reception, West Virginia Secretary create new businesses and jobs, but they desperately of State Natalie Tennant noted the potential for renewable need state leadership to ease the transition to a more energy jobs in the state, and Lieutenant Governor and Senate diversified economy. President Jeff Kessler touted his bill for diversifying the state’s economy. Unable to attend at the last minute, U.S. Sen- • West Virginia has tremendous assets that it can mobilize ator Jay Rockefeller, in his prepared remarks (see Appendix in building such an economy. E), stressed the importance of innovation as a driver of the West Virginia economy, and highlighted the role of the 2011 federal America COMPETES Act in strengthening education in science and math.
Regional and local leaders are beginning to spur and create new businesses and jobs, but they desperately need state leadership to ease the transition to a
Stacy Jarrell more diversified economy. Jeremy Richardson of UCS explains the importance of diversifying West Virginia’s economy.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 3 We have to understand that the future will not look like the past. —Matt Ballard, president, Charleston Area Alliance
Vision attitude a “hurdle that needs to be overcome. . . . We have to understand that the future will not look the same as the past.” In a keynote address, Tom Heywood—a prominent Charles- Former Congressman Alan Mollohan stressed the need ton lawyer who serves as managing partner at Bowles Rice, a for economic diversification. Although “most politicians focus regional law firm—suggested that West Virginia “is entering on extraction and policies that support them,” promoting its golden age.” Supporting his positive vision, Heywood cited other sectors of the economy is critical, he said. “West Virgin- the state’s lower-than-average unemployment rate (6.3 per- ia’s coal, timber, and gas resources aren’t going anywhere, but cent, versus 7.3 percent nationally, as of August 2013); large with diversification we can create a more flexible, resilient, “rainy day” fund; recent efforts to strengthen education; and vibrant economy.” Public-private partnerships can help infrastructure improvements such as the building of roads, promote such diversification, according to Mollohan. bridges, and schools; growing philanthropic support; and Ballard offered an example of such a partnership: extensive natural resources. the alliance between the state and landowners that created To fulfill his vision for West Virginia, Heywood urged the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System for off-road vehicles. forum participants to “imagine a future state and work back- This 600-mile-plus system—one of the world’s largest—has wards,” as opposed to asking, “What do we have and what can inspired people who never thought they would own their we do with it?” We must, he said, “create the future from the own business to become entrepreneurs, noted Ballard. The future.” Acknowledging West Virginia’s challenges, he never- result is numerous new outfitting shops, ATV rental and theless urged leaders not to accept being “second best,” but repair shops, and restaurants in southern West Virginia. to project the idea that West Virginia is “the best state in the Stressing the importance of small businesses to the nation already.” This positive spirit resonated throughout state’s economy, Ballard called for a cultural shift toward en- the forum. trepreneurialism, noting that, “No one in my public education All four members of the first panel noted that visions ever told me that I could run my own business; that needs to for the future of West Virginia must chart a new course. For change.” Indeed, 94 percent of West Virginia businesses are example, referring to the state’s coal industry, Matt Ballard, already considered small, based on the federal government’s president and CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance—the definition, said Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette during a largest chamber of commerce in the state—noted that some later panel, and many of those businesses make components people want West Virginia to stay the same, and called that of everyday items many West Virginians use. Stacy JarrellStacy
Beth Vorhees, host of West Virginia Morning on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, moderates the first panel discussion with (left to right) Alan Mollohan, Scott Rotruck, Anne Barth, and Matt Ballard.
4 union of concerned scientists Panelist Scott Rotruck, a retired energy industry execu- new, high-quality jobs in West Virginia” over the next tive, affirmed that West Virginia is an energy state, but urged 30 years. “The enemy is the status quo,” she said. Efforts to forum participants to “think about energy in new ways.” In turn innovation into new enterprises in four key industries— response to a question from the audience, Rotruck affirmed advanced energy, chemicals, biotechnology, and biometrics— that the state will be mining coal in 30 years “but to a lesser have already sparked recent growth in the state economy degree,” and highlighted the opportunity to encourage energy and can drive further growth, she said. efficiency, calling it a “no regrets option.” Kent Spellman, Reverend Jeff Allen, head of the West Virginia Council executive director of the West Virginia Community Develop- of Churches and a panelist, asked, “Who gets to decide what ment Hub, also pointed to greater energy efficiency as a kind of economy we are going to have in West Virginia?” and win-win, even for the energy sector, and emphasized the urged more inclusiveness. Dialogues in communities across importance of diversifying the state’s energy mix. the state are helping residents better understand the state’s The state needs a culture change regarding the value of economic challenges, and potential responses and next steps. energy efficiency, agreed Ballard. “Some people believe that However, we “must find a way to cross the boundary from the leaving the lights on burns more coal and is therefore better old to the new West Virginia so that no one is left behind,” for the economy. That, of course, is not the case,” he said, Allen cautioned. because making homes and businesses more energy-efficient Toward that end, the Hub concentrates wealth creation, creates new jobs that cannot be outsourced. At the same time, not just job creation, in rural communities, according to West Virginia must realize that “investment, innovation, and Spellman. He argued that businesses should think of them- economic development are long-term propositions” requiring selves as a “social enterprise,” and that, “Their business needs “discipline and patience.” to benefit the community and the community needs to benefit Panelist Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect from that business, just as the business needs to do well.” WV—a coalition of industry, the public sector, and higher Discussions of economic diversification, he argued, “need education that aims to foster economic development—also to be taken down to where the people are.” heralded the “innovation economy” as “the driving force of
We can’t change the past, but we can invest in the future. —Ted Boettner, executive director, West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy
Communities Leading, State Absent Panelist Chris Yura, founder and president of SustainU Clothing, based in Morgantown, relied in part on a business The Bright Future forum sought to highlight success stories incubator program at West Virginia University to develop his from communities already working to diversify their econo- business, which makes clothing from 100 percent recycled mies beyond traditional extractive industries. Several speak- plastics and cotton. The thriving company, now with 20 ers highlighted examples from the tourism sector. Spellman full-time employees, obtains its material and manufactures urged participants to see tourism not just as a way to bring its products in the region. people to the state to spend money, but rather as a pathway Panelist Kristen Barker, president of the Cincinnati for attracting and supporting entrepreneurs: “Tourism is Union Co-op Initiative, described a job creation model now the best marketing and recruiting tool we have.” being tested in Cincinnati and 10 other cities across the Panelist Matt Wender, president of the Fayette County United States. The approach is based on Spain’s Mondragon Commission in south-central West Virginia, described the cooperative. Now that country’s seventh-largest corporation, county’s 40-year history of using land-use planning and Mondragon has built a globally competitive business based zoning to foster economic growth. That planning process on workplace democracy, personal and professional develop- helped gain national park status for some 70,000 acres in ment for employees, and efforts to strengthen communities the county, setting the stage for a booming tourism industry and the environment. and the creation of a Boy Scouts retreat center.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 5 The Cincinnati initiative has drawn on that model to launch a worker-owned food hub that connects local farmers with local consumers. Spellman pointed out that if West Virginia increased production of the food consumed in the state by even a small fraction, the additional economic impact would be significant. In his research on alternatives for the state’s economy, Richardson found strong job creation potential in both the agriculture and tourism industries. Although local leaders are taking innovative paths to strengthen local and regional economies, the forum revealed a critical need for state leadership and policies to help diver- sify the economy. Kessler was the main sponsor of a bill in the last legislative session to create one such policy: the West Virginia Future Fund. To supply the fund, the state would invest a fraction of taxes on the production of natural gas above a baseline level. After 20 years, the state would begin to use the returns to support infrastructure and education designed to diversify the West Virginia economy. Other resource-rich states such as Wyoming and North Dakota have used royalties on mineral lands, severance taxes on the production of coal and natural gas, or both to create such trust funds. Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, noted that a trust fund would enable state government to turn finite natural resources into an infinite source of revenue. If West Virginia had established a future fund based on a 1 percent severance tax on coal start- ing in 1970, “we would have close to $8 billion in a trust fund today,” he pointed out. “We can’t change the past, but we can invest in the future.” However, the present proposal is too vague, he contends, and policy makers should begin to draw on the fund five years after its inception to support West Virginia’s future. A poll of likely West Virginia voters commissioned by Richardson showed that nearly 70 percent support the creation of such a fund. By a 50 percent margin, respondents Stacy Jarrell Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and also support increasing severance taxes on coal slightly and Policy, points out that several other states rich in natural resources have created using the revenues for similar purposes. Several participants policies similar to the proposed West Virginia Future Fund. remarked that this finding was unsurprising: of course West Virginians believe that coal companies should invest in the communities where they operate. Kessler plans to reintroduce the bill in the upcoming legislative session.
6 union of concerned scientists There are none better than the workers in West Virginia. —Kenny Perdue, president, West Virginia AFL-CIO
West Virginia’s Assets
Forum speakers and panelists highlighted West Virginia’s assets and how they might inform the vision of the state’s future. Those assets tended to fall into three categories: natural resources, people, and place. Speakers highlighted the state’s extensive natural gas deposits, and enthusiastically embraced the recent boom in production of natural gas from Marcellus shale in the state and region. Natural gas is a “game changer” that will lead to a “gold rush that will build a completely new economy,” Heywood contended. He noted that 10 hotels are rising in a rural county that had not seen construction in decades. Stacy JarrellStacy Natural gas production could also spur job creation, he said; as energy costs decline, industries are bringing manufactur- ing jobs back to the United States because they are now cost- West Virginia Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette (center) responds to competitive. New companies can also use natural gas from a question from an audience member. Also pictured are John Weete (left) and Kenny Perdue (right). the Marcellus shale to produce butane and propane, creating jobs in the process, agreed Burdette. Environmental concerns linked to the use of hydraulic fracturing to produce natural gas were notably absent from West Virginia’s people rank as one of the state’s greatest the discussion. Although forum organizers had specified resources, forum participants agreed, citing their hardwork- that environmental concerns were beyond the scope of the ing nature. West Virginians are “creative and resourceful and event, many attendees privately expressed great concern that kind,” and have a solid sense of place and community, Heywood speakers did not seem to recognize the potential dangers of maintained. “There are none better than the workers in West hydraulic fracturing—particularly to local, state, and regional Virginia,” concurred Kenny Perdue, president of the West water systems. West Virginia’s “water is an amazing resource, Virginia AFL-CIO. and we do a good job of protecting it,” one speaker asserted— The state’s strong universities and facilities are also key a view clearly disputed by many in attendance. assets for economic development, according to the speakers. The state’s environmental attributes relate directly to Research universities are the primary drivers of innovation, economic development. As noted, many speakers cited the and state funding for research and development is critical, potential for West Virginia’s natural beauty to attract tourists, said panelist John Weete, executive director of Auburn especially for outdoor recreation. In fact, out-of-staters often University’s Research and Technology Foundation. Panelist first learn about the state through tourism, Spellman pointed Jim Casto of the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexi- out. A tourist magnet can also be a magnet for businesses, ble Manufacturing (RCBI) noted that it leases some $6.5 mil- observed Wender. Natural amenities can even induce out- lion worth of equipment to enable entrepreneurs to make of-state business owners to move their operations to the state. prototypes and test production runs. West Virginia’s natural beauty also provides a foundation Workforce development programs at community and for a high quality of life, forum participants noted. technical colleges, and apprenticeship programs for skilled The state’s proximity to major population centers is also workers, enable state residents to qualify for well-paying jobs, an advantage, allowing for easy distribution of manufacturing speakers agreed. The RCBI’s network of manufacturing products in a world where transportation costs are high. centers has provided thousands of hours of training and And that, in turn, makes the prices of goods more com- assistance to manufacturers across West Virginia and petitive, said Yura. the region.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 7 Panelist David Satterfield, interim director of the West tion to seek and train for manufacturing jobs. “We’re going to Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership—which also take 160 fifth-graders into manufacturing facilities so they trains workers and provides technical assistance to businesses— can have that inspirational moment.” underscored the importance of encouraging the next genera-
West Virginia’s Challenges which exemplifies the problems facing West Virginia and other rural areas in the region. Elaine McMillion, the film’s While the Bright Future forum focused on solutions, parti- director and producer, and a West Virginia native, spoke cipants and speakers alike found it difficult to discuss visions about her vision for the project, which includes short for the future without confronting problems of the past and videos as well as interactive data—all available online. A present. Those problems include prescription drug abuse, panel discussion featuring two young McDowell residents poor educational outcomes, declining population, lack of accompanied the screening. access to health care, persistent poverty, and environmental Many county residents—including several profiled in degradation. While companies praise the state’s workforce, the film—made the two-hour drive to attend the screening. they also express concern about “how deep the bench is,” One McDowell church leader observed that residents had and about ensuring not just a skilled workforce but one that simply decided to stop waiting for help from the state and is drug-free, Burdette noted. “We can’t make someone drug- “do it ourselves.” Despite the enormous odds, they expressed free or force them to get an education, but we can offer op- optimism about a better future for the home they love, and portunities,” he said. continue to work toward it. The forum featured a screening of Hollow, a documen- tary featuring the stories of the people of McDowell County,
McDowell County residents Trey Lockhart and Erica Lucas ( far table), along with filmmaker Elaine McMillion and Jeremy Richardson (near table), during the screening of Hollow. Stacy JarrellStacy
8 union of concerned scientists © NREL
Florida Power and Light’s Mountaineer Wind Energy Center produces a maximum of 66 megawatts of electricity. Each turbine stands 228 feet above Backbone Mountain and has blades of 115 feet that weigh just over eight tons.
The power is already here. —Kristen Barker, president, Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative
What’s Next Virginia’s economic future, possibly through joint reports or more public events. UCS, in particular, is talking with both The Bright Future forum broke new ground in West Virginia. sponsors and stakeholders about how it can help promote In so doing, it revealed core themes that resonate among a creative thinking about economic diversification in West broad cross section of West Virginians. These include the Virginia and the broader Appalachian region. importance of projecting a positive vision of the state’s future, Like West Virginia, other states in the region depend fostering economic development, creating new jobs, and pro- heavily on coal—through the mining industry and the tecting the place people call home so future generations can electricity sector—and face many of the same challenges. live, work, and thrive here. The fact that both speakers and UCS hopes not only that the Bright Future forum can catalyze attendees represented a wide range of fields and views changes in West Virginia, but also that ideas from the forum prompted Spellman to emphasize inclusiveness in his closing can inform similar events throughout the region. West Virginians remarks: “Cognitive diversity leads to better decisions. When can serve as leaders in advancing these ideas. we have people engaged from different perspectives, we are Despite the forum’s success, online evaluations and going to end up with a more sound decision-making process, conversations with participants revealed significant disap- resulting in better decisions for our future.” pointment that it avoided a frank discussion of the environ- The three organizations that sponsored the forum have mental impact of extractive industries and their contribution pledged to continue to advance the conversation about West to climate change. Many participants expected these topics
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 9 © NOAA
organizers e c endall Fellowship committee: Rachel Cleetus, Steve Clemmer, Clemmer, Steve Cleetus, Rachel committee: endall Fellowship ngela Ledford Anderson, Kate Cell, Michelle Davis, and Jeff Deyette. Deyette. and Jeff Davis, Michelle Cell, Kate Anderson, ngela Ledford al UCS staff made important contributions to this event and report, is a policy research is a policy research Policy and Center on Budget Virginia West West Virginia Community Development Hub is a statewide non- Community Development Virginia West he udget and Policy and its staff, Ted Boettner and Alyson Clements, and the Clements, Boettner and Alyson Ted and its staff, udget and Policy knowledgments Sever T The
c ostrand, director of the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development and Sustainable for Energy of the Center director ostrand, t the Virginia eventWest Principal funding for the University of Law. College y the support and partnership of several organizations: the West Virginia Center Center Virginia the West organizations: y the support and partnership of several public, private, and civil). private, public, organization that is nonpartisan, nonprofit, and statewide. The Center’s research research Center’s The and statewide. that is nonpartisan, nonprofit, organization is designed to support in West dialog and policy informed public and analysis to ensure with other organizations consults and collaborates Center The Virginia. and be a knowledgeable and timely and strives to relevant are that its analyses and fiscal issues for budget information on public of credible source respected media, and the public. advocates, policy makers, including A I thank my K Conferen science to independent puts rigorous, Scientists Concerned Union of The across with citizens Joining problems. most pressing planet’s to solve our work effective advocacy to create and technical analysis we combine the country, future. sustainable and safe, solutions for a healthy, practical innovative, in to engage communities and organizations that works organization profit that is locally determined and directed, of community development a system sectors of society all three across intentional, and aligned continuous, ( a forum was made possible State” for the Mountain Future Economic “Bright The b on B Kent director, and its executive Development Hub Community Virginia West Van James guidance from and valuable early event received The Spellman. N a program. Fellowship Scientists’ Kendall Concerned of Union the from came Frumhoff. and Peter Deyette, Jeff
wer is already here.” is already wer ell: “West Virginia has everything it needs. There is There it needs. has everything Virginia ell: “West The Bright Future forum is only one first step in building in step forum is only one first The Bright Future union of concerned scientists enewable energy and energy efficiency to mitigate it. UCS mitigate it. UCS efficiency to and energy energy enewable The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Environmental Security Computing Center in Fairmont, WV, will develop and improve the accuracy of the accuracy will develop and improve WV, in Fairmont, Center Security Computing Environmental Administration’s and Atmospheric Oceanic National The climate and weather model predictions. global and regional is a senior energy analyst in the UCS in the UCS analyst is a senior energy Richardson Jeremy a coal-mining comes from He Program. and Energy Climate into research and is conducting Virginia in West family economic diversification in the state. remarkable creativity here already, and you just need to need to just you and already, here creativity remarkable tap into it. The po it up w hopes the event has helped make room for state leaders to state for room make has helped event hopes the the than avoiding rather concerns, begin to consider these coal industry. science for the state’s implications of climate consensus and forging trust Creating future. Virginia’s West to move best about how decision makers among citizens and spirit embodied the positive However, time. will take forward summed Barker palpable. and participants was speakers by to receive greater attention, given UCS’s long-standing efforts long-standing UCS’s given attention, greater to receive the potential for climate change and of awareness to raise r 10 [ appendix a ]
Forum Agenda
Tuesday, September 3, 2013 12:00 PM–1:15 PM Lunch (Grand Foyer) 6:00 PM–8:00 PM Special Guest: The Honorable Jay Rockefeller, U.S. Senator Evening Reception (Grand Foyer) Keynote Address 1:15 PM–2:45 PM Jeff Kessler, President, West Virginia Senate Pathways: Economic Development and Workforce Training Natalie Tennant, West Virginia Secretary of State (Walker Theater) Moderator: Beth Vorhees, West Virginia Public Broadcasting John Weete, Executive Director, Auburn Research and Wednesday, September 4, 2013 Technology Foundation 7:30 AM–8:30 AM Keith Burdette, West Virginia Secretary of Commerce Registration and Breakfast (Grand Foyer) Kenny Perdue, President, WV AFL-CIO David Satterfield, Interim Director, WV Manufacturing 8:30 AM–8:35 AM Extension Partnership, West Virginia University Welcome and Introductory Remarks (Walker Theater) James Casto, Associate Director of Public Information, Jeremy Richardson, Union of Concerned Scientists Robert C. Byrd Institute James Skidmore, Chancellor, WV Council for Community 8:35 AM–9:00 AM and Technical College Education Keynote Address (30 min) Tom Heywood, Managing Partner, Bowles Rice 2:45 PM–3:15 PM Break 9:00 AM–10:30 AM Visions: West Virginia in 30 Years (90 min) 3:15 PM–4:45 PM Moderator: Beth Vorhees, West Virginia Public Broadcasting Action: The Sky is the Limit The Honorable Alan B. Mollohan Moderator: Kent Spellman, Executive Director, Scott Rotruck, President, Scott Rotruck & Associates WV Community Development Hub Anne Barth, Executive Director, TechConnectWV Chris Yura, Founder, SustainU Clothing Matt Ballard, President/CEO, Charleston Area Alliance Jeff Allen, Executive Director, West Virginia Council of Churches Rebecca Randolph, President, Vision Shared 10:30 AM–11:00 AM Matt Wender, President, Fayette County Commission Break Kristen Barker, President, Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative
11:00 AM–11:20 AM 4:45 PM–5:00 PM Surprising Support for Economic Diversification (20 min) Concluding Remarks: What Did We Learn? Daniel Gotoff, Partner, Lake Research Partners Kent Spellman, Executive Director, WV Community Development Hub 11:20 AM–11:40 AM The Proposed West Virginia Future Fund (20 min) 5:30 PM–7:00 PM Ted Boettner, Executive Director, West Virginia Center Dinner (Grand Foyer) on Budget and Policy 7:30 PM–9:00 PM 11:40 AM–12:00 PM Evening Public Screening: Hollow (Walker Theater) A Roadmap for Sustainable Economic Development Elaine McMillion, Director and Producer in West Virginia (20 min) Trey Lockhart, Student Representative, Reconnecting McDowell Jeremy Richardson, Union of Concerned Scientists Patrick Corcoran, Assistant to the Director, McDowell Public Library Erica Lucas, McDowell County resident
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 11 [ appendix b ]
Participants
Peni Adams, executive director, Dianne Bady, project coordinator, Rob Bastress, attorney, DiTrapano, Laura Bozzi, program manager, McDowell County Economic De- Ohio Valley Environmental Barrett, DiPiero, McGinley, and Appalachian Mountain Advocates velopment Authority Coalition Simmons Laura works to protect the envi- Peni works to create and retain Dianne’s organization is working Rob is a plaintiff’s lawyer in ronment and surrounding com- jobs in McDowell County. toward a community wind farm Charleston. munities from mountaintop re- and solar panels at a coalfield moval. She also works to support Angela Ledford Anderson, health clinic. Andrew Beckner, communications, sustainable economic transition director, Climate and Energy Office of Senator Jay Rockefeller efforts. She has recently initiated Program, Union of Concerned Christy Bailey, executive director, Andrew coordinates Senator a local farms program to support Scientists National Coal Heritage Area Rockefeller’s relationship with sustainable agriculture in the Angela is the director of the Authority the news media in West Virginia. Greenbrier Valley. Climate and Energy Program at We work to help diversify the the Union of Concerned Scientists economy in southern West Jim Berner, treasurer, United Kelly Bragg, energy development (UCS). She is leading UCS’s efforts Virginia by developing heritage Methodist Church specialist, WV Division of Energy to persuade government officials tourism sites related to coal Jim is the treasurer for the Kelly provides information and to enact policies that encourage history and culture. United Methodist Church. technical assistance to West clean energy and result in global Virginia residents relating to warming emissions reductions. Kevin Baker, counsel, West Belinda Biafore, economic energy efficiency, renewable Virginia Senate Judiciary development and grant coordi- energy, and alternative fuels. Rob Anderson, executive vice Committee nator, Marion County Economic chancellor for administration, West and Community Development Barbara Braun, senior vice Virginia Higher Education Policy Sandra Steiner Ball, bishop Belinda works with the Marion president and founder, Composite Commission of the WV Conference United County Economic and Commu- Transport Technologies Rob directs the internal adminis- Methodist Church nity Development Office. Barbara is senior vice president tration for the two- and four-year Sandra leads the UMC as their of administration and marketing. public college systems in West bishop in the West Virginia and Gerald Biser, assistant director, Virginia. Garrett County, MD, area. industrial extension, West Virginia Bob Brown, project manager, University Reconnecting McDowell/AFT Teddy Armbrecht, owner, Neela Banerjee, energy and Jerry works within the Industrial Bob manages a multi-faceted The Wine Shop @ Cap Mrkt. environment reporter, Los Angeles Extension service and the West project in McDowell County that Teddy is interested in organic Times Virginia MEP program, providing seeks to reform the education commodities. He is also an avid manufacturing consulting and system by addressing all of the mountain and road biker. Joe Barker, director, Office of business management services to issues that impact students. Community Health Systems and small to mid-size West Virginia Linda Arnold, chairman and CEO, Health Promotion, WV Bureau companies. John Catselis, investor, self- The Arnold Agency for Public Health employed Linda is the chairman and CEO Joe manages an office of 65 staff Susan Blackwell John manages commercial and of The Arnold Agency, a marketing working on various programs residential real estate in Charles- communications firm with offices designed to improve the health Ruth Blevins, executive director, ton, and is on the board of The in West Virginia, Montana, and of West Virginia citizens. West Virginia Nurses Association Arnold Agency, a marketing Washington, DC. She also writes Ruth is the executive director of communications firm. a regular column for the Sunday Kristen Barker, president, the West Virginia Nurses Associa- Gazette-Mail entitled, “Live Life Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative tion, the membership organization Kate Cell, outreach coordinator, Fully.” Kristen helps build Mondragon for nurses in West Virginia. Union of Concerned Scientists union co-ops, with six initiatives Kate is project manager of the Amy Atkins, director, Divison under way in Cincinnati. Kristen Patrick Bond, general partner, coastal impacts group at the of Local Health, WV Bureau for helps support efforts across the Mountaineer Capital LP Union of Concerned Scientists. Public Health country as well. Patrick is a venture capitalist. Amy manages a unit of profes- sionals in the WVBPH who work with local health departments.
12 union of concerned scientists Becky Ceperley, president Patrick Corcoran, assistant Jeff Deyette, assistant director, Carol Fulks, executive director, and CEO, The Greater Kanawha to the director, McDowell Public energy research, Union of WV Hospitality & Travel Valley Foundation Library Concerned Scientists Association Becky runs a community foun- Patrick assists the general Jeff is the assistant director of Carol represents the private dation seeking to provide local public in gaining and utilizing energy research and a senior en- tourism industry in West Virginia wealth in six counties in West information. Most recently, his ergy analyst in the Climate and through day-to-day operations Virginia. library has been able to assist Energy Program at the Union of consulting and governmental Elaine McMillion and her Concerned Scientists. He conducts relations. Lori Chaffins, membership Hollow crew in the empower- analysis on the economic and coordinator, West Virginia Nurses ment of community members. environmental costs and benefits Tricia Fulks, associate producer, Association of renewable energy and energy Hollow Interactive Lori works for the West Virginia Patrick Crane, director of policy efficiency policies. Tricia is an associate producer Nurses Association, an affiliate of and strategy, WV Higher Education for Hollow: An Interactive Docu- the American Nurses Association. Policy Commission Robert Diznoff mentary, an online documentary Patrick works for the state agency Robert works on federal policy about McDowell County, WV, Daniel Chiotos, organizer for overseeing all public colleges and related to energy, environment, through the eyes of its residents. energy efficiency, Sierra Club universities in the state. His job energy efficiency, and advanced Daniel brings West Virginia resi- includes research, advocacy, manufacturing. Jake Glance, communications dents and organizations together policy making, and grant writing and media, West Virginia Secretary to push for the job creation and to benefit West Virginia students. Rose Edington, minister and Echo of State’s Office lower utility bills that would come Justice advocate, change agent, Jake handles all communications from expanded energy efficiency Pam Curry, executive director, UUC and media for the West Virginia programs. Center for Economic Options Rose is a native West Virginian, Secretary of State’s Office. OVEC board member, Energy Holly Clark, director, Telework Ginger Danz, distance learning Efficiency Committee, Green Stacy Gloss, project manager, West Virginia coordinator, Bridgemont Sanctuary Program. Energy Efficient West Virginia Holly seeks to place more Community and Technical College Stacy is a project manager for West Virginians in work-from- Ginger works to bring telework Chris Espinosa, legislative Energy Efficient West Virginia, home jobs. jobs to West Virginia in order representative, Earthjustice which works to advance energy to diversify the economy and Chris is the legislative repre- efficiency in the Mountain State. Alyson Clements, outreach strengthen communities. sentative engaging government coordinator, WV Center on on clean water issues on behalf Crystal Good, development, Budget and Policy Michelle Davis, energy-water of Earthjustice. West Virginia State University Alyson works to bridge West program assistant, Union of Crystal works in marketing and Virginia Center on Budget and Concerned Scientists Sandra Fallon, education and development at West Virginia Policy research reports with low- Michelle Davis is the energy-water training, National Environmental State University. and moderate-income families, research assistant for the UCS Services Center legislators, press, and public. Climate and Energy Program, Sandra develops training, educa- Brenda Grant, strategic planning, where she does research and out- tion, and informational programs/ CAMC Dan Conant, principal, Solar reach for the Energy and Water materials on water issues (protec- Brenda does strategic planning Holler, LLC in a Warming World Initiative. tion, sustainability, integrated for the Charleston Area Medical Dan works with small towns and management). Center Health System. communities across West Virginia Bill Denham, Spanish teacher, to organize and invest in clean Riverside High School Frank Fineis, intern, Sustainable Ed Grant, district superintendent, energy projects that will sustain Bill is a high school Spanish Williamson The United Methodist Church our towns and the environment. teacher at Riverside High School Frank is an intern with Sustainable Ed works with pastors in his and believes in providing students Williamson, a campaign to redefine district. Ellis Conley, MonValley District with authentic learning experi- the economic landscape of coal superintendent, West Virginia ences and language immersion. country. Marley Green, organizer, Annual Conference Sierra Club Ellis is one of nine district super- John Deskins, director, Bureau V. Diane Freeman, CEO, Marley works on water quality intendents in the West Virginia of Business & Economic Research, Ferguson Manning Associates and economic transition issues in Annual Conference United West Virginia University Diane owns a consulting firm the southwest Virginia coalfields. Methodist, overseeing 70 pastors John’s bureau’s mission is to pro- working in the oil and natural gas and 163 congregations in north- vide the West Virginia community industry. She works with corpora- Victor Grigoraci, accountant, central West Virginia. of business and public-sector deci- tions, community leaders, and Hayflich Grigoraci PLLC sion makers with economic analy- government officials to identify Vincent has over 40 years of sis and forecasts, applied business business opportunities for minori- public accounting experience and economic research, and infor- ties, women, veterans, and small and over four years as an inter- mation on economic, demographic, businesses in West Virginia and nal revenue agent. He is also a and business trends in the state the surrounding area. Personal Financial Specialist and its regional economies. (PFS) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 13 Sarah Halstead, community Paul Hill, chancellor and CEO, Josh Jarrell, general counsel, Jill Kriesky, associate director, and economic development, WV Higher Education Policy WV Department of Commerce SWPA Environmental Health WV State University Commission Josh is the general counsel of the Project Sarah does program development Paul is chancellor and CEO of WV Department of Commerce, The SWPA Environmental Health to support innovation economy the WV Higher Education Policy which houses the WV Division Project responds to individuals’ growth. Commission. of Energy. and communities’ need for access to accurate, timely, and trusted Evan Hansen, president, Mel Hoover, minister and Echo Courtney Jesser, vice chair, public health information and Downstream Strategies Justice advocate, change agent, Generation Greenbrier Valley health services associated with Evan performs science and policy UUC & Tuesday Morning Group Courtney is a substitute teacher natural gas extraction. research related to resource envi- & WV UU Advocacy Network with Greenbrier County Schools. ronmental and economic issues Mel is a longtime change agent in She also serves as vice chair of Ken Krimmel, dean of the cabinet, facing West Virginia. Downstream justice work and environmental Generation Greenbrier Valley. WV Conference, The United Strategies offers environmental issues. Mel is also a coordinator Methodist Church consulting services that combine of Sustainable Kanawha Valley Lou Ann Johnson, policy director, Ken works with the bishop of the sound interdisciplinary skills with Initiative, and a speaker and West Virginia Secretary of State’s West Virginia Conference of the a core belief in the importance of workshop leader on Echo Justice. Office United Methodist Church. protecting the environment and Lou Ann is the policy director linking economic development Aaron Huertas, press secretary, in the West Virginia Secretary Catherine Kunkel, consultant, with natural resource stewardship. Union of Concerned Scientists of State’s Office. Kunkel Energy Research Aaron works with the media to Catherine primarily works with Zack Harold, reporter, Charleston promote the work of the Climate Rebecca Kimmons, director, Energy Efficient West Virginia to Daily Mail and Energy Program and Center Create WV Conference on The strengthen utility-funded energy for Science and Democracy. Future, Create West Virginia efficiency programs in West Bradley Harris, executive During his time at UCS, he has Rebecca is an economic develop- Virginia. assistant, West Virginia Secretary conducted more than a dozen ment strategist using innovation of State’s Office communications workshops for economy principles. JF Lacaria, director, The United Bradley is the executive assistant scientists, co-written several UCS Methodist Church WV Conference to the West Virginia secretary reports, and helped design the Carrie Kline, owner of folklife JF is the assistant to the bishop of state. UCS climate education card preservation organization, oral and director of program ministries game, Cool It! historian and musician, Talking for the WV Conference of Elaine Harris, international Across the Lines the UMC. representative, Communication Rachel Huff, education and Carrie preserves knowledge of the Workers of America outreach director, WV FREE local arts of daily living, music, and Lin Lacaria, pre-school director, Rachel spearheads advocacy narrative arts, and records and Cross Lanes UMC Wess Harris, educator, organizer, education and social media work shares oral testimonials inter- Lin directs and teaches in the Appalachian Community Services, around young people, health care, weaving viewpoints on a variety pre-school program at Cross Inc. and reproductive justice at WV of community issues. Lanes UMC, Cross Lanes WV. Wess’s focus is to teach union FREE. As a 25-year-old female she history while exposing efforts has a sincere interest in ensuring Michael Kline, oral historian Katey Lauer, coalition coordinator, to sanitize our heritage. He uses our state’s future has youth and musician The Alliance for Appalachia factual depictions of our past voices and input. Michael preserves knowledge of Katey’s work has traditionally to motivate young folks to take the local arts of daily living, music, focused on impacts to health and action to allow us to have a future. Mark Imbrogno, attorney, and narrative arts by recording water quality from strip-mining Jackson Kelly PLLC and sharing oral testimonials and other coal industry practices. Gregory Hayes, superintendent, Mark specializes in public finance interweaving viewpoints on a Western District, United Methodist and economic development. variety of community issues. Colt Legg, doctor, CAMC Church Colt is a medical resident at the Gregory is the superintendent of Lloyd Jackson, businessman, Betty Knighton, director, Charleston Area Medical Center. the Western District of the United natural gas industry WV Center for Civic Life Methodist Church. The district Lloyd is a businessman in the Betty is the executive director Bobby Lewis, state director, is comprised of more than 100 natural gas industry. He is a mem- of the WV Center for Civic Life, USDA Rural Development United Methodist churches in ber of the State Board of Education a nonpartisan, nonprofit organiza- Bobby serves as the state director Mason, Lincoln, Cabell, Wayne, and a trustee of the Benedum tion that promotes civic engage- for USDA Rural Development. and Mingo counties. Foundation. ment throughout the state. A This federal agency invested primary focus of her work is in approximately $387 million in helping communities develop rural West Virginia in FY 2012. ways to talk and work together on issues that affect the quality of life in West Virginia.
14 union of concerned scientists Conni Gratop Lewis, American Karen McElhinny, lawyer, Sandra Mikush, deputy Stephanie Ojeda, assistant Friends Service Committee Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer director, Mary Reynolds Babcock general counsel, Patriot Coal Conni volunteers with the AFSC Karen is a lawyer in Charleston. Foundation Services Economic Justice Project, focus- The Babcock Foundation supports Stephanie serves as in-house ing on minorities’ and women’s Jim McGoldrick, executive efforts to move people and places counsel for Patriot Coal Services needs in economic development director, Pleasants County out of poverty, and is particularly in Charleston. work. Development Authority interested in community devel- Jim is executive director of opment and policy efforts that Sean O’Leary, columnist and Trey Lockhart, student Pleasants County Development advance a just and sustainable blogger, The State of My State Trey is a graduate of McDowell Authority and is seeking to im- economic transition in Appalachia. Sean writes a bi-weekly column County, and a student represen- prove quality of life for this rural on West Virginia economics and tative for AFT Reconnect county by adding jobs, tax base, Dave Mistich, reporter, West policy for the Martinsburg Journal McDowell. services to businesses and Virginia Public Broadcasting and other newspapers. industry, and infrastructure. Dave is a reporter in Charleston John Maher, vice president for who focuses on stories happening Asley Orr, director of outreach research, Marshall University Rory McIlmoil, director of in the capital city and surround- and events, Office of Senator John is the vice president for energy policy, Appalachian Voices ing areas. Jay Rockefeller research at Marshall University Rory brings people together to Asley is the director of outreach and the executive director of the protect the land, air, and water of Ann Murray, radio reporter/ and events for the Office of Marshall University Research central and southern Appalachia. producer Senator Jay Rockefeller. Corporation. He is also currently Anne produces environmental serving as interim director of Morgan McKinney, registered news for various public radio Kate Ortenzi, intern, Sierra Club the Marshall Institute for nurse venues including NPR News, Beyond Coal Campaign Interdisciplinary Research. Morgan is an RN, currently Living On Earth, and Voice of Kate is a master’s student at the practicing in urgent care and com- America. University of Maryland in conser- Kenisha Manning, president, munity nursing settings. From vation biology and public policy. KJM Custom Designs Wyoming County, Morgan is pas- Jane Nalle She is currently interning at the Kenisha creates and designs sionate about West Virginia and Jane is attending to hear one of Sierra Club, focusing on the eco- custom jewelry. dedicated to working toward the speakers, Jeremy Richardson. nomic transition of Appalachia sustainable development in all with the elimination of MTR. Tara Martinez, executive sectors of society for our state. Cullen Naumoff, Vision 2030 director, Women’s Commission project director, Charleston Area Misty Peal, GR specialist, WVEA Tara’s commission conducts Elaine McMillion, director and Alliance Misty is a lobbyist for an educa- advocacy, education, and research producer, Hollow documentary Cullen works on long-term tional employment professional on women’s issues in the state. Elaine is the director and producer strategic economic development organization. of Hollow, the interactive docu- founded in the triple bottom line Lynette Maselli, media specialist, mentary film that will be shown using the economic gardening Guy Peduto, director, INNOVA WV Senate as part of this forum. approach. Commercialization Group Lynette is the media specialist for The INNOVA Commercialization Senate President/Lt. Governor Justin McMillion Brandon Nida, organizer, Group, an initiative of the West Jeff Kessler. Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance Virginia High Technology Consor- Rita McMillion Brandon works to build a sus- tium Foundation, is a business- Joseph Mathis, commissioner, tainable economy through self- support services and seed and The City of Williamson Rebecca McPhail-Randolph, initiative and pragmatic step-up early-stage investment capital Joseph also works with Sustain- president/CEO, Vision Shared strategies. program dedicated to creating able Williamson to redefine the Rebecca is the president of a successful entrepreneurs and new economic landscape of coal statewide nonprofit economic Brian ODonnell, director, social ventures. INNOVA specializes country. development organization. ministries, Diocese of Wheeling in bringing vital knowledge and Charleston resources to seed and early-stage Nate May Joe Mearman, president, Brian works for social justice companies in support of product Nate is a musician and composer Energy Efficient Technologies concerns for the Catholic Diocese. commercialization efforts. from Huntington, WV. Brandy Messer, director of Martha Ogniben, district Sam Petsonk, mining health Tim McClung economic development, Office superintendent, United Methodist and safety advocate Tim is interested in Future Fund of Senator Jay Rockefeller Church Sam is an advocate for coal miners’ and establishing a public bank Brandy is on the staff of Senator Martha is a clergy person health and safety, and is involved in West Virginia. Rockefeller. supervising a district of clergy in community economic develop- in the northern panhandle of ment programming in the greater West Virginia for the United Beckley area. Methodist Church.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 15 Carson Pfeifer, intern, Sierra Club Phoebe Randolph, architect, Janet Scott Margaret Stout, assistant Carson works for the Beyond Coal Edward Tucker Architects Inc. Janet lives in Wyoming County. professor, West Virginia University campaign for the Sierra Club. Phoebe is an architect and a Margaret is a public administra- community volunteer with Amy Shanholtzer, director of tion scholar with a focus on local Mimi Pickering, director, Create Huntington. evangelism and congregational governance and community Community Media Initiative, development, WV United development. Appalshop Steven Richards, university Methodist Church professor, West Virginia State Amy works with United Methodist Carolyn Stuart, executive director Margaret Chapman Pomponio, University churches across West Virginia on of Herbert Henderson Office executive director, WV FREE Steven is the program director issues of vitality and community of Minority Affairs, Office of the Margaret works on women, youth, for Parks, Recreation & Tourism engagement. Governor and families advocacy and on Studies at WVSU. He teaches an Dr. Stuart is responsible for con- reproductive health education. undergraduate course in sustain- Lisa Sharp, director of Rural ducting forums to allow minority able development and introduces Business-Cooperative Service, citizens the opportunity to voice Jessica Pressman, benefits admin- sustainability issues into core USDA Rural Development their issues and collaboratively istrator, Veterans Administration curriculum. Lisa manages the business pro- work together to develop strate- Jessica is a veterans’ benefits grams division within USDA Rural gies to effectively deal with the administrator and community Rosella Richardson Development in West Virginia. issues. volunteer with Create Huntington. She also serves as the rural devel- Warren Richardson opment coordinator, a liaison be- John Suggs, managing director, Bill Price, organizing tween the agency’s programs and SWPA Environmental Health representative, Sierra Club Charlie Rittenhouse, president, communities, organizations, and Project Bill works on energy efficiency UWUA Local 69 AFL-CIO individuals across the state. The SWPA Environmental Health as part of a campaign to move Charlie represents gas workers Project responds to individuals’ to cleaner energy generation. of Dominion in six states. Kerrin Sheldon and communities’ need for access Kerrin creates marketing videos to accurate, timely, and trusted James Probst, owner, Probst Betty Rivard, photographer, for brands and tourism agencies, public health information and Furniture Makers West Virginia Homeplace helping to create excitement health services associated with James owns and operates a furni- Betty is a fine art landscape around messages, events, and natural gas extraction. ture manufacturing business in photographer, an editor of a book promotions. Lincoln County that builds high- of historic photographs, and a Aaron Sutch, energy program end furniture to James’s design. producer of art fairs. Sally Shepherd, farmer manager, The Mountain Institute Work is shipped all over the Sally is a small farm owner/ Aaron implements solar and United States. Rebecca Roth operator and a clean energy energy efficiency projects that Rebecca consults with area advocate. empower communities to utilize Calentha Quesenberry, nonprofits on grant writing and renewable energy and efficiency executive director, Historic strategy. Walton Shepherd to create economic opportunity Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Walton was a law student at and mitigate rising energy costs. Bureau Tom Saladyga, assistant professor WVU College of Law’s Center of geography, Concord University for Energy and Sustainable Devel- Dan Taylor, project coordinator, Regan Quinn, musician, legal Tom teaches courses within the opment, and is now looking to Ohio Valley Environmental researcher, WV Symphony broad fields of physical geography, continue working in sustainable Coalition Orchestra sustainability studies, and geo- development as a way to address Dan is a project coordinator for Regan researches medical issues graphic information systems West Virginia’s long-term struc- the Ohio Valley Environmental and recruits experts for law firms. (GIS). His research focuses on tural challenges. Coalition, working on projects She is also a musician with the forest ecosystem stability and re- involving energy efficiency, West Virginia Symphony silience in the context of changing Stephen Smith, director, WV renewable energy, economic Orchestra. climate, land use, and/or manage- Healthy Kids and Families Coalition transition, and clean elections. ment strategies. Stephen works to fight poverty JW Randolph, energy savings in West Virginia. Jan Taylor, director, Division associate, Appalachian Voices Danny Scalise, chief executive of Science and Research, Higher JW has worked to protect citizens officer, EnAct Beth Spence, American Friends Education Policy Commission from mountaintop removal at the Service Committee Jan works with faculty to help local, state, and federal level, and Jim Sconyers, chair, WV Sierra Beth works to advance economic them be more competitive for now works on implementing Club and social justice in West Virginia. federal grants, and supports energy efficiency in the rural Jim works for an end to coal-fired economic development from southeast. power and for renewable/sustain- Robert Stonestreet, attorney, intellectual property created at able energy, clean air, and clean Dinsmore our colleges and universities. water.
16 union of concerned scientists Rachel Terman, student, Allan Tweddle, CEO and founder, Matthew Wasson, director Robin Wilson, organizer, WV Penn State University Composite Transport Technologies of programs, Appalachian Voices 350 Reversing Climate Change Rachel is a PhD student in rural Allan’s company is an SME that Matt is director of programs at Robin has worked on peace, sociology and women’s studies at will manufacture unique aircraft Appalachian Voices, an organiza- justice, and community develop- Penn State. Her dissertation work parts. These parts will reduce the tion that empowers people to ment most of her adult life. Now is on the social factors that affect carbon footprint of every Boeing defend our region’s rich natural at 71 she’s working on reversing young college-educated people and Airbus aircraft that uses them. and cultural heritage by providing climate change and resource in West Virginia. Allan’s company is also committed them with tools and strategies for depletion. to achieving a zero-carbon foot- successful grassroots campaigns. Tom Torres print in all operations. John Wirts, Watershed Tom works on community eco- Beth Wheatley, director of Assessment, WVDEP–DWWM nomic development in Tennessee Stephanie Tyree, director external affairs, The Nature John is with WVDEP’s DWWM, and Alabama. of community engagement and Conservancy managing the Watershed Assess- policy, WV Community Beth works in partnership with ment Branch, which monitors and Kristin Tracz, program officer, Development Hub government, industry, landowners, assesses the chemical, physical, Blue Moon Fund Stephanie works with communities and others to conserve and restore and biological integrity of the Kristin manages Blue Moon’s in southern West Virginia and important lands and waters in state’s waters. investments in the United States, throughout the state to create West Virginia, with a specific which includes West Virginia and pathways for stakeholders to focus on energy development. Gary Zuckett, executive director, Kentucky. engage with their decision makers WV Citizen Action Group at the local and state level, and Ken White, vice president of Gary works on issues of economic, Sarah Tucker, vice chancellor relating to regulatory and legisla- resident services, NHP Foundation social, and environmental justice for community and technical tive policy. in West Virginia. college education, WV Council Elizabeth Wiles, executive for Community and Technical Ken Ward, staff writer, director, Friends of Deckers Creek College Education Charleston Gazette Elizabeth works to improve the Sarah is responsible for working Ken is a staff writer for the water quality in north-central with education policy information Charleston Gazette. He is also West Virginia and prevent future professionals to conduct research creator and author of the pollution. She believes a healthy in support of state-level master Coal Tattoo blog. environment is the foundation for planning, legislative accountability, a healthy and diversified economy. student access and success, reten- tion and persistence, and enhanced policy analysis for decision making.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 17 [ appendix c ]
Speaker Biographies
R ev. Jeffrey Allen Ted Boettner Jeffrey S. Allen is a United Methodist pastor currently appointed to As the co-founding executive director of the West Virginia Center on the West Virginia Council of Churches as the executive director. He Budget and Policy, Ted brings a wealth of experience and understanding holds a bachelor of arts degree in biology and a bachelor of arts degree of state fiscal issues. In addition to running the Center, Ted is the author in religious studies from West Virginia University and a master of divinity of numerous reports on state tax and budget issues, economic develop- degree from Emory University. He previously served as project director ment, and family economic security, including the annual State of Work- for the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition, as the com- ing West Virginia. Ted frequently presents analyses of policy proposals munity and families development director at Community Development to the West Virginia legislature and testifies before committees. He also Outreach Ministries (CDOM) for 13 years, and has also served as pastor regularly addresses statewide civic groups on state tax, budget, and eco- at the Keystone and Northfork United Methodist Churches in McDowell nomic policies and is frequently quoted in news stories on those topics. County, WV, and the College Hill United Methodist Church in Waco, KY. In 2013, Ted was appointed to a three-year term as a primary member of the U.S. Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI), an Matt Ballard advisory committee within the Department of the Interior. In 2011, the Matthew Ballard is the president/CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance State Journal named Ted “one of the most influential businesses leaders” and its affiliate, the Charleston Regional Chamber of Commerce. Ballard in West Virginia. Ted also serves on the board of directors of Cabin Creek and the Alliance have played an integral role in the recruitment of Health Systems and Mountain State Justice and he is an adjunct instruc- new jobs, the development of our urban areas as well as leading several tor at West Virginia University Institute of Technology. Ted holds a BS in regional projects that have led to new economic opportunities. In public journalism from West Virginia University and an MA in political science policy, Ballard has been a voice for innovative job creation policies that from the University of New Hampshire. would position West Virginia to excel in coming decades, including economic development initiatives and utilizing incentives that address K eith Burdette the crisis of student loan debt as a population and workforce attraction In December 2010, Keith Burdette was appointed by Governor Earl tool for the state. Ballard is a West Virginia native, originally from Ray Tomblin as cabinet secretary for the West Virginia Department of Shinnston, WV. He holds an undergraduate degree from Alderson Commerce and executive director of the West Virginia Development Broaddus College in nursing and a master’s degree in public administra- Office. Keith Burdette began his public service when he was elected to tion from West Virginia University. Ballard lives in Elkview with his the first of two terms in the West Virginia House of Delegates. In 1982 wife Staci and daughters Sylvia and Stella. he was elected to the West Virginia state senate. In 1989 Keith was elected the forty-second president of the state senate at the age of 34— Kristen Barker the youngest senate president in the state’s history. Keith is actively Kristen Barker is the president of the Cincinnati Union Co-op Initiative involved in the Parkersburg community where he resides. He is married (CUCI), which is based on the Mondragon-USW union co-op model. to the former Pat Haught Huffman and has two sons and two stepsons. CUCI has launched one co-op and has five projects in various stages of feasibility/business planning. As a community organizer for the past James E. Casto 12 years, she fosters faith, labor, and community partnerships. She is Jim retired in 2004 from the Herald-Dispatch, where he was a reporter the mother of a resilient daughter with special needs. Apart from two and editor for more than 40 years. He is now senior public information years in El Salvador, she is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati. specialist at the Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manu- facturing. Active in community affairs, he’s a board member with the Anne Barth United Way of the River Cities, Goodwill Industries, the Huntington Anne Barth is the executive director of TechConnect West Virginia, Area Food Bank, the Tri-State Area Boy Scout Council, the Friends of the where she directs a variety of programs designed to diversify the econ- Cabell County Public Library, the Marshall University Library Associ- omy by turning innovation into enterprise. In 2011 she was appointed by ates, and the West Virginia Faculty Merit Foundation. A native of Hun- Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to the Southern Technology Council of the tington, he attended Bethany College at Bethany, WV, and is a graduate of Southern Growth Policies Board. She serves on the NASA West Virginia Marshall University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism Space Grant Consortium, the board of directors of the WV Biosciences and a master’s degree in English. Association, the board of Teaming to Win, the Charleston Area Alliance Vision 2030 innovation/R&D committee, the advisory board of the West Patrick Corcoran Virginia Small Business Development Center, and was co-chair of the Patrick is assistant to the director of the McDowell Public Library. Environmental Issues Team for Power of 32, a 32-county, four-state He assists the general public in gaining and utilizing information. Most regional visioning project. She was awarded the U.S. Small Business recently, his library has been able to assist Elaine McMillion and her Administration District Director’s Award in 2012. Ms. Barth holds a Hollow crew in the empowerment of community members. bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communications from West Virginia University.
18 union of concerned scientists D aniel Gotoff Ei r ca Lucas Daniel Gotoff heads Lake Research Partners’ New York office. Since Erica Lucas lives in Welch, WV. At times, she has lived outside the state joining the firm in 1996, Daniel has worked for candidates at all levels before coming back to McDowell County and is now determined to make of the electoral process as well as on a wide range of issues, including a positive change in her community. She is now a student at Bluefield the economy, national security, and government accountability. Daniel’s State College where she can learn to better serve her community. She tenure at LRP has included extensive research for clients, including has high hopes for McDowell County’s future. presidential, senatorial, congressional, gubernatorial, and mayoral candi- dates, as well as the DNC, DCCC, and the NAACP National Voter Fund. Elaine McMillion He has also led the firm’s overseas consulting on campaigns in Mexico Elaine McMillion is an award-winning documentary storyteller based and the Caribbean. Daniel’s analyses of the American political landscape in Boston, MA. Her work explores how digital platforms and participa- are regularly published and he is a contributor on The Leon Charney tory media can empower local communities. Her current project, Hollow, Report and other political and public affairs news shows. Gotoff holds a strives to communicate the issues of rural America through the eyes, BA in history and Italian from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. voices, and ideas of southern West Virginia. Hollow is funded by Kick- starter, Tribeca Film Institute’s New Media Grant, and the West Virginia T om Heywood Humanities Council. It is supported by Documentary Educational Tom Heywood is the managing partner of Bowles Rice, a regional busi- Resources and the West Virginia Filmmakers Guild. Her op-doc “West ness law firm with seven offices in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia. Virginia, Still Home” was featured on the New York Times website on His practice areas are corporate, commercial, and finance law, govern- June 20, 2013. In the summer of 2013, Filmmaker Magazine named ment relations, and health care law. Upon graduation from law school, McMillion one of the “New Faces of Independent Film.” Tom clerked for the Honorable John A. Field, Jr., senior judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He joined Bowles Rice in 1983. Alan B. Mollohan From 1989 to 1990, Tom served as counsel to West Virginia Governor Alan B. Mollohan is of counsel to Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Gaston Caperton, and from 1990 to 1993 he served as Caperton’s chief LLP in West Virginia. A former member of the United States House of of staff. Tom returned to Bowles Rice in 1993. Tom remains active as a Representatives, Mr. Mollohan served 14 terms, having been first elected leader in many civic activities, and has led the following initiatives in in 1982 to represent West Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. In the recent years: chairman, Affordable Insurance Workgroup; co-chairman, House, Mr. Mollohan held a number of committee assignments including Finance & Benefits Committee, Health Advisory Council; chairman, Re- serving as chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations sults-Based Government Task Force, Vision Shared; chairman, TANF Subcommittee. Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Mollohan practiced Advisory Council; chairman, Community and Technical College Imple- law in West Virginia and Washington, DC. His practice included civil mentation Board; co-chairman, Celebration 2000; co-chairman, Yes on 1 litigation, administrative law, and serving as counsel to trade associations Committee (Stock Investment Amendment to West Virginia Constitu- in the areas of health and safety, the environment, and the manufacture tion); chairman, Transition Committee on Medicaid; chairman, Medicaid and transport of explosive products. Crisis Panel. Tom has also served as chairman or co-chairman of several Kanawha County school bond and levy advocacy groups in recent years. K enneth M. Perdue Tom earned his bachelor of arts degree from Stanford University in Kenny has been active in the AFL-CIO and central labor councils since 1978 and his law degree in 1982 from Harvard Law School. 1977, and an active member of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association for over 30 years. He was elected to the West Virginia AFL- Jeff Kessler CIO’s executive board following the retirement of his father from the Senator Jeffrey V. Kessler was appointed to the West Virginia State board in 1989. A second-generation union sheet metal worker, with Senate in November 1997 to fill a vacancy created by the death of Senator three brothers also working in the trade, he was elected as a business Larry Wiedebusch. He was then elected to the senate in 1998 where he representative for his local union. He served as secretary-treasurer served during the 75th Legislature as vice chairman of the Committee of the West Virginia AFL-CIO from 1997 until August 16, 2004, when on Banking and Insurance and the Select Committee on Economic he became president upon the retirement of the former president. Development. Senator Kessler was re-elected in 2000, 2004, and 2008. During the 76th, 77th, 78th, and 79th Legislatures Senator Kessler served Rebecca Randolph as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary. Senator Kessler was Rebecca McPhail Randolph is the president/CEO of Vision Shared. elected senate president on November 14, 2011, following a one-year term Prior to Vision Shared, Randolph served as the assistant vice president as West Virginia’s first and only acting senate president. Kessler received for development at Marshall University, located in Huntington, WV. a BA from West Liberty State College and his JD from West Virginia Prior to working for Marshall, Randolph was director of development University College of Law. Senator Kessler is married to Gretchen at the University of Charleston in Charleston, WV. Before returning Kessler and has four children: Jacob, Lauren, Jackson, and Hastings. to West Virginia in 2003, Randolph served as grant development and research manager and interim director of development for the YMCA T rey Lockhart of Greater Cleveland in Cleveland, OH. She has also worked for nonprofit Trey Lockhart is a graduate of McDowell County, and a student health care organizations in both West Virginia and Ohio and as a devel- representative for AFT Reconnect McDowell. opment consultant in northeast Ohio. Randolph earned her bachelor’s degree from the West Virginia Institute of Technology. She and her family reside in Huntington.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 19 L . Jeremy Richardson D avid Satterfield Jeremy is a senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists. David Satterfield is currently the director of asset development for At UCS, he has explored the fundamental cultural and economic drivers the Office of Research and Economic Development at West Virginia of coal production in West Virginia and identified ways of creating di- University and a tenured associate professor in the School of Music. verse economic opportunities. His work seeks to understand the deep Mr. Satterfield also serves as the interim president of the WVMEP as connection people have with coal, to quantify the changing economic well as the associate director of the Center for Excellence in Disabilities. importance of coal to local populations, and to develop actionable paths David Satterfield served as the executive director of the West Virginia to build local support for a more economically and environmentally Development Office from October 2001 through January 2005. Prior sustainable future. He seeks to bridge the gap between the national and to joining the Development Office Mr. Satterfield served as the chief of regional/state-level policy discussions about our energy future. In addition staff and vice president for institutional advancement at West Virginia to coming from a coal mining family in West Virginia, Jeremy is a physi- University. Satterfield is a native of Pittsburgh, PA. He earned two music cist who is passionate about the urgent need to address climate change. degrees (BM and MM) from WVU and has been a faculty member in He received his PhD and MS in physics from the University of Colorado the College of Creative Arts at WVU since 1983. Satterfield and his at Boulder and has a BS in physics from West Virginia University. wife, Beth, a faculty member in the College of Human Resources and Education at WVU, have two children: Keith and Allie. S enator Jay Rockefeller Senator Jay Rockefeller has proudly served the people of West Virginia James Skidmore for nearly 50 years. Rockefeller first came to West Virginia in 1964 as a James L. Skidmore became the first chancellor for the Community 27-year-old VISTA volunteer serving in the small mining community and Technical College System of West Virginia. Prior to that, he served as of Emmons. Many of the lessons that Rockefeller learned in Emmons vice chancellor for community and technical college education with the have shaped his public service career and led to his lifelong commitment Higher Education Policy Commission. Mr. Skidmore, a West Virginia to improving the lives of West Virginians and all Americans. Senator native, has served higher education in West Virginia for over 20 years, Rockefeller is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, with positions at WVU Institute of Technology, West Virginia State Science, and Transportation. He is also the chairman of the Health Care University, and the Higher Education Central Office. He serves on Subcommittee on the Senate Finance Committee, and a member of the numerous state-level workforce development committees and has Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He also serves on the Senate led initiatives that have positively impacted the delivery of workforce Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. development programs in West Virginia. As chancellor, he serves as chief Rockefeller was born on June 18, 1937. He graduated from Harvard executive officer of the WV Council for Community and Technical University in 1961 with a BA in Far Eastern languages and history. In College Education, the state-level coordinating body for community 1964, he came to Emmons, WV, where he began his public service career and technical college education. serving the people of West Virginia. In 1966, he was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and to the office of West Virginia secretary K ent Spellman of state in 1968. He served as president of West Virginia Wesleyan College Kent R. Spellman brings a diverse background to his work as executive from 1973 to 1976. In 1976, Rockefeller was elected governor of West Vir- director of the West Virginia Community Development Hub. For 20 ginia, and was re-elected in 1980. In 1984, he was elected to the United years, he owned and was president of Rooftree, Inc., a design/build States Senate, and re-elected in 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008. Since 1967, construction company based in Harrisville, WV, specializing in high- Rockefeller has been married to Sharon Percy Rockefeller with whom he end residential and light commercial projects. In 1996, he became editor, has four children: John, Valerie, Charles, and Justin. Jay and Sharon are publisher, and part owner of the Ritchie Gazette, a weekly county news- also the proud grandparents of four granddaughters and two grandsons. paper serving Ritchie County. While at the Gazette, Kent won 31 WV Press Association individual awards for reporting, editorials, photography, Sc ott Rotruck and advertising design; the Gazette was repeatedly named the best Scott Rotruck recently retired as vice president of corporate development newspaper in the state in its division. Kent has been recognized as a and state government relations for Chesapeake Energy Corporation. He Distinguished West Virginian by Governor Cecil Underwood, and as spent 10 years in the railroad industry with CSX Corporation and Nor- an Honorary WV State Trooper—at the time only the fourth person folk Southern Corporation. He spent 15 years in the energy sector with in State Police history to receive such recognition. He lives in Anker Energy and CONSOL. He served as the economic development Clarksburg with his wife Betsy. director and senior adviser to the president at WVU and worked for the WVU Extension Service. He served a term as chairman of the WVU Ex- N atalie E. Tennant tension Service Visiting Committee. Scott was chairman and CEO of the Natalie E. Tennant is West Virginia’s twenty-ninth secretary of state. Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce. He is the past chairman of Throughout her administration, she has been a leader in promoting open Vision Shared, West Virginia Tourism Commission, the West Virginia and engaging government and business-friendly initiatives. Tennant has Council for Community and Economic Development, WVJIT, and the streamlined the Secretary of State’s Office to make it more efficient and Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin in 2000. Scott cost-effective while improving services for voters, candidates, business served on task forces for the Cheat River and the North Branch of the owners, and citizens. Most recently, Secretary Tennant spearheaded Potomac River, which runs through his hometown of Keyser, WV. He legislation to allow for online voter registration in West Virginia. West served on the University of Charleston’s board of trustees and is a board Virginia has also emerged as a leader on the national stage when it comes member of Imagine Greater Pittsburgh. He is a 1977 West Virginia to making it easier for deployed military to vote using a safe and secure University graduate and holds an MBA from Frostburg State University. Internet connection. Along with her duties as secretary of state, Tennant Scott and his wife Carol, who is from New Martinsville, WV, have was the first West Virginian chosen for the Aspen Institute’s Rodel Fel- three adult children: Sarah, Jill, and Ethan. lowship program. In 2012, Secretary Tennant was elected to another four-year term. Secretary Tennant currently resides in Charleston with her husband, State Senator Erik Wells, and daughter, Delaney.
20 union of concerned scientists Beth Vorhees M att Wender You hear Beth Vorhees on the radio every morning and during the legis- Commissioner Wender is the public sector representative for Fayette lative session, you see her on TV every evening. Beth is the producer and County. He is a CPA who holds a bachelor’s degree in business adminis- host of West Virginia Morning, heard every weekday morning at 7:30 on tration and an MBA from West Virginia University. Matt recently retired West Virginia Public Radio. You also hear her deliver the news through- from West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust, where he served as invest- out the morning on Morning Edition. When the state legislature is in its ment manager since 1998. WVJIT manages the state’s Venture Capital 60-day regular session, Beth is the producer and host of The Legislature Fund with a portfolio of investments and funds in excess of $26 million. Today on West Virginia PBS. Beth is the director of news and public WVJIT has a statewide presence, with a current portfolio of 21 compa- affairs at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, leading an eight-person nies in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, software news team with bureaus across the state. Beth lives in Charleston and development, biomedical, and insurance. He represented WVJIT on has been married to Rick Vorhees for 31 years. They have one daughter, several boards of directors. Before joining WVJIT, he was employed Diana, of Nashville, TN. by a privately held venture capital firm for two years.
John Weete Chris Yura Dr. Weete joined the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation Chris Yura is founder and chief executive officer of SustainU. As CEO, (ARTF) as its executive director on September 1, 2007. The ARTF is Chris is responsible for leading the company and overseeing all aspects responsible for the overall development and operation of the Auburn of its business development initiatives designed to achieve long-term Research Park located on the Auburn University campus. Previously, growth. Prior to launching SustainU, he gathered and developed his Dr. Weete served as the vice president for research and economic experience in the fashion and entertainment industry while based in development at West Virginia University and president of the West New York City, while maintaining his interest and involvement in social Virginia University Research Corporation. He received his BS and and environmental-related issues. Previously, he served in managerial MS degrees at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, TX, roles within the customer service field, developing marketing strategies and PhD at the University of Houston. He was a post-doctoral fellow and strategic business initiatives to attract prospective clients. Chris at- at the Baylor College of Medicine and visiting scientist at the Lunar tended the University of Notre Dame where he was a four-year letterman Science Institute in Houston, TX, prior to joining the faculty at and standout fullback for the Fighting Irish football team, and received Auburn University. a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and computer applications.
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 21 [ appendix d ]
Excerpts of Selected Media Coverage of the Forum
Innovators, entrepreneurs, policy experts Forum focuses on possible future of W.Va. meet at economic ... economy (AP article that appeared in dozens of state newspapers) West Virginia Public Broadcasting-September 5, 2013 While the Union of Concerned Scientists usually focuses Businessweek-September 3, 2013 on issues related to climate change and renewable energy, The Union of Concerned Scientists is teaming up with West Virginia native and UCS Fellow ... the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy and others http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=31510 to present panels on several topics. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-09-03/forum- M cDowell residents tell stories of focuses-on-possible-future-of-w-dot-va-dot-economy struggles, successes Charleston Gazette-September 4, 2013 Organizer of economic discussion hopes event sparks dialogue Forum organizer Jeremy Richardson of the Union of Concerned Scientists said that “Hollow” fit in perfectly Daily Mail Charleston-September 2, 2013 with the event, which partly aimed at trying to . . . Jeremy Richardson, a fellow at the Union of Concerned http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201309040304 Scientists in Washington, D.C., hopes to change that with his event “A Bright Economic Future for the . . . Business leaders: W.Va. must embrace economic http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201309010110 change Charleston Gazette-September 4, 2013 Meeting to focus on W.Va. economic diversity The event, sponsored by the West Virginia Center on Charleston Gazette-August 28, 2013 Budget and Policy, the Union of Concerned Scientists and Promotional materials for the forum, called “A Bright the West Virginia Community Development Hub, . . . Economic Future for the Mountain State,” don’t mention (Note: this article appeared on the front page of the climate change or the coal industry’s ongoing decline. But print edition.) those issues and their impact on coalfield communities are http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201309040053 really the backdrop for the event, sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists . . . “Future fund” pushed to diversify economy http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201308280149?page=1 Charleston Gazette-September 4, 2013 The event is sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists and the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy and aims to highlight and foster discussions of . . . http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201309030156
N ot your grandfather’s economy anymore (editorial) Daily Mail Charleston-September 6, 2013 Sounds like there was a lot of good discussion by intelligent people at the forum. Thanks to the sponsoring organizations, which also included the Union of Concerned Scientists and the West Virginia Community Development Hub, for push- ing the economic diversity discussion in West Virginia. http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/Editorials/201309060046
22 union of concerned scientists [ appendix e ]
Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Prepared Remarks
S eptember 4, 2013
Today is an exciting gathering of brilliant minds and energetic spirits who are bound by the belief and knowledge that the sky is the limit for our state. West Virginia is poised to do great things and our con- versations today will help us expand our dreams and visions for tomorrow. I have always believed that our actions must be guided by the larger impact they’ll yield in the future. We must be working, planning, and acting now for the West Virginia we want in 10 years, 50 years, and even her next 150 years. And we can. America is innovation. It’s the very essence of our country—to invent, to solve big problems, to take things to the next level. We’ve been the first to do everything from inventing flight to putting a man on the moon, from developing com-
puters to creating endless possibilities with the Internet. Official Photo And here in West Virginia we are champions of innova- tions. Golden Horseshoe winners can tell you about James Rumsey, who built the first steamship and piloted it down the Potomac River in Shepherdstown. the Senate Commerce Committee, I have been able to steer More recently, researchers at the Green Bank Obser- this important law through Congress. vatory have stretched the very boundaries of our universe, America COMPETES was born at a time when there pioneering new techniques that allow astronomers to were warning signs that America’s position as a global leader listen deeper and deeper into space. in science and technology was at risk. From the outside, And NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric it looked as if our country was beginning to lose its way Administration) is building a remarkable system that sup- in encouraging innovation at all levels. ports the nation’s next generation of geostationary weather We were not doing enough to educate and train our satellites, helping us better predict severe weather and youngest generations for the new global economy. We creating highly skilled jobs here in West Virginia. worried that our students were falling behind. North-central West Virginia’s economy is booming, The idea to put our country back on the right track with a high-tech economy powered by innovation, and just was simple: increase science and research investments. down the road here, our cutting-edge technological advances Strengthen education in the STEM disciplines: science, in chemicals and polymers are second to none. technology, engineering, and mathematics. Develop an inno- Paired with our American spirit of innovation, our vation infrastructure. Give our children and grandchildren unmatched West Virginia work ethic creates an enormously the tools and resources they will need to compete in the powerful combination. So what other ingredients do we need global economy. to launch into a bright future? One is investment in key But those are big picture ideas. How do they translate education and training efforts. in real terms to West Virginia? That was the goal of the original AMERICA COMPETES We all know West Virginians are the hardest working Act in 2007, and its reauthorization in 2010. As chairman of people in the country. We are ready for opportunity. And that’s
A Bright Economic Future for the Mountain State 23 what COMPETES provides. It lays a foundation for new, COMPETES secures our state’s future. It gives us the oppor- high-tech economic opportunities. tunity to make sure that the high-tech jobs that are multiplying High-tech jobs, like those flourishing in north-central in West Virginia continue to spread to every part of our state. West Virginia and nearby at the South Charleston Tech Park, So as the Commerce Committee begins the process of pay significantly more than the average private sector job. reauthorizing the America COMPETES Act this fall, I look to These desirable and highly sought-after jobs lead to each of you for support. successful careers, and they produce the solutions of the Be champions of innovation in your community. Support future that meet big challenges. These important jobs require entrepreneurs who understand the realities of our new economy. advanced training, and we need to be sure that workforce is Challenge your school systems and administrators and teachers readily available in all of our communities. to ask more of their students. Encourage your children to take Just look at the numbers. Between 1995 and 2007, high- their place in our exciting, high-tech world. tech jobs in STEM fields accounted for nearly 40 percent of It seems obvious to most in this room that securing our U.S. GDP and 30 percent of the world’s GDP in 2007. As a result, future would be a simple choice. That educating our children so the number of STEM jobs has grown three times faster than they can grow up in the global economy with a fighting chance non-STEM jobs over the past decade. would make sense. Projections for the next decade indicate that STEM occu- But I assure you that not everyone sees it this way. pations will grow by 17 percent, compared to 9.8 percent for That’s why all of you are so important. other occupations. STEM workers earn 26 percent more We also need your help more practically. We are currently on average and are also less likely to be unemployed. preparing to introduce a COMPETES reauthorization bill, but This is where COMPETES comes in. With the resources Congress is deeply, terribly divided. And we’re dealing with the and opportunities that COMPETES provides, workers can get sequester, and some lawmakers who don’t recognize the value the retraining and education necessary to fill these high-tech of strategic, targeted investment. jobs because many here know sometimes difficult and time- So this fall, when we introduce the bill, each of you needs consuming process to find or retrain skilled workers. to call your elected officials—especially those in the House— And it funds science and research programs that create and tell them how important these investments are. even more high-tech jobs in the long term. You are the ambassadors, and it’s your voice we need to hear At the same time, we need to take the lessons learned from as, in the next few months, we will need to increase the investments COMPETES and apply them to how we are educating our young in science and research so more high-tech jobs are created. students so they can realize the full potential of their bright We need to increase investments in training so these jobs futures. can be filled by high-skilled workers. We need to educate more Science, technology, engineering, and math experience of our students in STEM fields so they have the backgrounds will be vital to the next generation’s success. COMPETES gives to thrive in the global economy. students a fighting chance. It gives them the resources and And we will need to spur innovation in this country so tools today for the jobs of tomorrow. the leaps and bounds that America has created are just the beginning of what’s to come.
find this document online: www.ucsusa.org/WVbrightfuture
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
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