One Country Project

Good afternoon,

Yesterday, the Biden administration marked Earth Day with the announcement of new clean energy grants. The Solar for All grants, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency under the $7 billion Inflation Reduction Act program, would install solar power for low-income neighborhoods, and bring investment to rural areas and communities of color – helping them save as much as $400 annually on power bills and prevent 30 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, openings for the American Climate Corps' first 2,000 positions were posted. The program will train young people to build a clean energy economy, assist conservation efforts, and advance environmental justice.

Here's what else you need to know this week...

CLIMATE CONTINGENT

Young and climate-focused voters will be a key bloc in November's election. In 2020, Biden won on a campaign championing a climate pledge that incorporated environmental equity and justice. Today, those voters are less than impressed.

Despite the historic investments from the IRA, the nation's largest commitment to addressing the climate crisis, and new restoration rules for federal lands, the globe continues to warm at an alarming clip. Already, we have already failed to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius and begun to feel the heat.

If Trump wins the presidency and Republicans take control of Congress, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Republicans have a plan to repeal not only the IRA's energy tax credits, but a variety of vehicle emission and power plant pollution standards.

While cities are often considered to suffer from worse air quality than rural areas, rural Americans breathe in air that may be just as toxic as that in urban centers. In addition to the impacts of resource extractive industries, industrial agriculture – with livestock production emitting methane and fertilizer application breaking down into nitrous oxide – also contributes to significant air toxins. Repealing emissions standards would greatly harm rural Americans' health and well-being.

	Each week, this newsletter highlights what's going on in rural states, counties, and communities, and what One Country Project is up to around the country. If you value this content, please consider donating to One Country Project. Your contribution supports our efforts to connect with rural voters and to promote greater opportunities for rural communities.
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RECLAIMING COAL MINES

As coal begins to give way in the nation's energy landscape, mines have begun to close or be abandoned. Not only does the loss of these industries lead to lost jobs for American workers – and lost populations as well as economic decline for nearby communities – but these "orphaned" wells can leak oil and brine, contaminating nearby soil and water, and release methane.

In West Virginia, 550 square miles have been strip-mined. While many former mines are being repurposed by solar, aquaponics, and outdoor recreation companies, less than 2 percent of the state's mines have been redeveloped.

Appalachian Botanical is taking a new approach to mine reclamation. The company is planting lavender and raising bees on former sites, which are then used in essential oils, body creams, and other wellness products. Lavender, a hardy plant, can tolerate the conditions of former mines and help remediate the soil.

In addition to its environmental sustainability goals, Appalachian Botanical also seeks to provide jobs to former coal miners, as well as felons and people recovering from substance abuse and addiction, providing free, on-site counseling, a daily meal, and a ride to work to those without a driver's license.

As our nation's energy portfolio diversifies with changing demand, efforts to diversify the economies of former industry towns can help retain residents and preserve the character of small-town life.

UAW WIN FOR WORKERS AT VW PLANT

Over three-quarters of workers at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tennessee plant voted to join the United Auto Workers last Friday. After two previous organizing attempts in 2014 and 2019, this historic election with high (84 percent) turnout makes the auto factory the first in the South to unionize since the 1940s.

Workers will now prepare to negotiate with VW for their first contract. They seek more paid time off, better control over their schedules, better health care, and retirement benefits.

Biden and Trump continue to seek union support. Union households currently favor Biden, though many working-class voters' economic hardship continues to be a sticking point in presidential polls.