The Appalachian Sustainable Potential Map (ASPM)

'Highlighting Appalachia's competitive edge'

Cara Steinberg (she/her) -- cas440@pitt.edu

Introduction

Powered by Esri

App_Focus_Area

The four states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia form a region with a rich history and a strong economy. The Ohio River Valley portion of Appalachia holds a long and complex history.

17th Century

The first people to inhabit the region were Native Americans—who lived there for thousands of years. In the 17th century, European settlers began to arrive in the region, quickly exploiting its natural resources. Coal, oil, and natural gas were discovered and began fueling the region’s economy. 

19th Century

In the 19th century, the region became a major center for manufacturing. Factories for US Steel, Carnegie, Westinghouse and more were built to produce steel, glass, and more. Additionally, the region evolved into a major transportation hub with railroads and highways connecting the nation.

20th Century

In the 20th century, the region's economy diversified to include healthcare, education, and other service industries. The region also became a major tourist destination. Mountains, forests, and rivers continue to attract visitors from around the world. The region's early development was driven by its abundant natural resources, including coal, oil, and natural gas. The economy has diversified to include manufacturing, healthcare, and education. 

Today

Today, the region is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies and world-class universities like Procter and Gamble and the University of Pittsburgh. The region's competitive advantages include its skilled workforce, transportation infrastructure, and natural resources—as highlighted in the collection of maps to follow. 

(1) Damaged Lands

Damaged land is dispersed throughout the region. Its liabilities include aging infrastructure, high poverty rates, and environmental challenges. The region's infrastructure is in need of significant investment. This is evidenced by its roads, bridges, and water systems. The region also has high poverty rates, especially in rural areas. A number of environmental challenges—such as air pollution and water contamination—are present as a result of its extractive and fossil fuel-reliant industries. 

(2) Manufacturing/Business Assets

The region offers a diverse range of manufacturing assets—from traditional industries like steel mills and coal mines to emerging industries like electric vehicle battery plants and pharmaceutical companies. The manufacturing sector accounts for over  10% of total employment in the entire Appalachian region. Despite facing challenges in recent years, the manufacturing sector is poised for growth, thanks to new investment and a skilled workforce. 

(3) Workforce

Appalachia’s environmental and economic potential is held in its people. At a total population of little over 31 million (31,103,160), the pure size of its population holds immense power. In application to the economy, its workforce is skilled and the region provides the necessary resources—such as High Road Training Programs—to develop and support new careers.  

(4) Funding

Federal investment can help the region capitalize on its competitive advantages. These opportunities will catalyze a nationwide Just Transition and allow Appalachia to become a hub for a thriving sustainable economy. Investment may upgrade the region's infrastructure, train its workforce in new skills, and support the development of clean energy technologies. Resultantly, the development will create good-paying jobs, boost economic growth, and help the region to foster a clean energy future. 

Framing the Region

It is evident that the region faces a number of challenges, but it also has invaluable strengths. The region's competitive advantages will overpower its challenges to continuously grow its economy.

The region's future is bright and it is undoubtedly well-positioned to succeed in the 21st century.

User Interaction Note

All maps in this report are interactive, so be sure to click, zoom, and explore the region. Clicking provides an informational pop-up and zooming enhances detail on select maps. You can find a map legend in the bottom, left-hand corner to interpret symbology and the navigation buttons on the bottom right to adjust your view.

Table of Contents

(1) Damaged Lands

The Appalachian region grapples with environmental challenges that require creative and unique repurposing. From Superfund sites to steel facilities, Appalachia reflects the complex realities of many communities. It is vital to understand the various aspects of the region that define its Damaged Lands and consider pragmatic solutions that address the environmental and social issues that stem from these landmark points of interest. Turning these liabilities into assets defines a path towards sustainability in the resilient region.

01 / 08

Coal

Historically, coal has been a primary source of energy in the region. This is evidenced by the coal plants, mines, and waste sites mapped here. While these action have contributed to the damaged land in Appalachia, their potential is not absent. For example, fly ash from burning coal can contain Rare Earth Elements (REE). It is vital to utilize all possible sustainable and environmental benefits from the region's coal production. To learn more about turning coal liabilities into assets, visit ReImagine Appalachia's website and follow the links below:

Steel Facilities

Steel production is a heavy industrial process that can result in significant pollution, including air and water pollution, as well as the emission of greenhouse gases. This pollution can harm the environment and public health in the region. Steel facilities have supported the Appalachian economy in the past, sacrificing health and well-being of surrounding communities.

Moving forward, these spaces can be repurposed for various uses including renewable energy production or  adaptive reuse like gallery/event spaces .

Superfunds

Superfunds are EPA designated contaminated sites. The region has 1,309 Superfunds sites. Exposure to pollutants at superfund sites can be unsafe--close proximity to these sites has been linked to adverse health effects. While the presence of these sites have negative environmental impacts, the designation can be imperative in initiating clean-up action. The superfund designation allows the "EPA to clean up contaminated sites" and "forces the parties responsible for the contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for EPA-led cleanup work."

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Superfund sites and click for more details.

Brownfields

Brownfields are abandoned, underutilized, or contaminated properties that were once used for industrial or commercial purposes. These sites often require environmental remediation and redevelopment to make them safe and economically viable again. Brownfields are also tied to  various funding opportunities within the EPA  such as Assessment Grants, EPA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), and EPA Multipurpose Grants.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Brownfield sites and click for more details.

Fracking

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is a method used to extract fossil fuels (like natural gas and oil) from deep underground by injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the Earth to break apart underground rock formations. While fracking has economic benefits, it also has major environmental and social effects. Fracking promotes the use of fossil fuels while its extraction operation can be disruptive to the health and stability of the environment.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Fracking sites and click for more details.

Oil & Natural Gas Wells

Like fracking, oil and natural gas wells extract and promote the use of fossil fuels. Across the region, there is a major presence of wells of all statuses.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Wells and click for more details.

Landfills & Renewable Natural Gas Projects

Renewable natural gas (RNG) projects produce clean and sustainable natural gas from organic waste sources. It involves the collection, processing, and conversion of biogas or biomethane from various organic materials (such as landfill gas). The biogas is purified to meet natural gas pipeline standards, making it suitable for use in existing natural gas infrastructure or as a vehicle fuel. By turning landfill gas into RNG, these projects contribute to the circular economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Landfill sites and RNG Projects and click for more details.

CO2 Emissions from Large Facilities

The combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and subsequently intensifies the greenhouse effect and accelerates the impacts of climate change. These facilities' activities are exacerbating the effects of climate change. It is imperative that we shift towards clean energy sources to minimize carbon emissions for the well-being of our planet.

(2) Manufacturing/Business Assets

Appalachia faces challenges such as aging infrastructure, high poverty rates, and environmental issues, but it also has competitive advantages that can be capitalized on to create a thriving sustainable economy. Federal funding can help the region upgrade its infrastructure, train its workforce, and support clean energy development, resulting in good-paying jobs, economic growth, and a clean energy future.

01 / 09

Railroads

Initially, rail transportation allowed Appalachia to become the thriving manufacturing and industrial powerhouse of the 20th century. Pittsburgh and neighboring cities sat in a unique position between the East Coast, West Coast, and the Great Lakes This network still exists as showcased here. With federal investment, rail transportation could continue to connect cities (like New York and Chicago) to manufacturing powerhouses (like Pittsburgh and Columbus).

Rail Accidents

This map of rail accidents by county clearly shows the need for investment and oversight to take full advantage of the vast rail system in our region.

Airports

In addition to water, rail, and highway travel, air travel will provide a key advantage in a Just Transition. This mode of travel will allow both freight and people to travel great distances—enabling travel to and from other key areas across the continent and the rest of the globe. This advantage aptly places the region as a hub for our Just Transition.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Airports and click for more details.

Power Plants by Primary Source

As mentioned in our introduction, Appalachia has built and powered our nation for generations. It was here that oil was first discovered. This discovery has allowed for the abundance of growth across the country. These plants can be converted and replaced to continue to power our 21st century grid with green electrons.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Power Plants and click for more details.

Wind Turbines

Appalachia is a region of great resources—wind included. The abundance of existing projects shown here proves that this region will grow in the wind sector to support the green energy transition.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific Wind Turbines and click for more details.

Carbon Sequestration Projects

Carbon Sequestration will be an important part of the Just Transition—Appalachia is no exception. There is great potential to store the Carbon terrestrially (as seen with the 2 sites in the region) and to utilize it in manufacturing processes as a raw material.

Natural Gas Pipelines

Natural Gas infrastructure is vast across these four states. Many of these pipelines can be utilized to carry Renewable Natural Gas (a net zero solution to heating and power). Anaerobic Digestion projects around the region could create this gas by converting biomass from cities and farms into usable gas that can then be pumped around the country.

Rooftop Solar Potential

Our current energy grid is not capable of supporting the growth of electric vehicles on the road. It is important to access decentralized energy potential like solar on rooftops to help curb energy demand. The region is often disregarded as gray and gloomy but this map shows just how much solar potential there is to power our homes!

Water Features

Our current energy grid is not capable of supporting the growth of electric vehicles on the road. It is important to access decentralized energy potential like solar on rooftops to help curb energy demand. The region is often disregarded as gray and gloomy but this map shows just how much solar potential there is to power our homes!

(3) Workforce

To best support, employ, and develop the Workforce in the Appalachian region, we must understand its people. Applying a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) lens to our Workforce is vital to fostering a representative and safe workplace for all Appalachians. We can begin this process by analyzing Urban/Rural Areas, BIPOC distribution, Demographics, Income, and Apprenticeship Centers in the following maps. A Just Transition in the Appalachian region prioritizes the ideology that no one is left behind and address the need and strengths of its people.

Urban/Rural Areas

Most counties in Appalachia are designated as rural by the US Census. Urban cities are dispersed throughout the region, including Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Charleston. Both urban and rural workforces have their unique advantages and challenges, and the choice between them often depends on individual preferences, career goals, and available opportunities.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view Census Tracts and click for more details.

Demographics

(Race, Gender, Age, Population)

"Like most areas in the United States, the county level is predominantly White. By excluding this majority and visualizing the non-White populations across Appalachia, it is clear that Appalachia is not just White people. BIPOC communities are present across Appalachia: their perspectives and experiences cannot be ignored in developing a more inclusive and diverse workforce across the region.

Explore the distribution of non-White communities using the map here and click on the county/census tract for Gender, Age, and Population information.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view Census Tracts and click for more details.

Average Income

Mapping averageincome shows the lower income across the Appalachian region compared to other parts of the state. This trend proves the need for Workforce development and support in the region.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view Census Tracts and click for more details.

Apprenticeship Centers

"High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) bring together industry, education and training providers, labor, and community to build employer-informed, skill-based training models that meet evolving market needs and promote job quality, equity, and sustainability." The 4 state region hosts 2,255 different Apprenticeship Programs via HRTP data. The volume of these centers across the region supports diverse and inclusive Workforce development. In doing so, trade-based employment will be more accessible for all individuals looking to join the Workforce in Appalachia.

User Interaction Note: Zoom in to view specific HRTPs and click for more details.

(4) Funding

Appalachia cannot complete its Just Transition without financial support. The region is eligible for various funding opportunities including Recompete Eligibility, Justice 40 Communities, and more. The funding options provided here are not an exhaustive list of opportunities in Appalachia, but do highlight the prevalent funding available in the region.

Energy Communities

The "Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Energy Community Tax Credit Bonus applies a bonus of up to 10% (for production tax credits) or 10 percentage points (for investment tax credits) for projects, facilities, and technologies located in energy communities." Here, the map shows Energy Communities based on FEE and Coal Closures. These areas may utilize the designation as an opportunity for funding as designated by the IRA.

Recompete Eligibility (LLM)

Recompete Pilot Program investments must be located in one of two eligible area types (Local Labor Markets (LLMs) and Local Communities (LCs) based on meeting certain Prime Age Employment Gap (PAEG*) requirements. Please visit the website to learn more about Recompete Eligibility.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program Fund Allocations (EECBG)

The Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) aims to provide funding to state, local, and tribal governments to support projects and initiatives focused on energy efficiency, conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Included here is the EECBG Fund Allocations from 2009, showing how much each county received based on the program's calculated value.

Justice 40 Communities (J40)

To prioritize disadvantaged communities, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Section 223 of EO 14008 established the Justice40 (J40) Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities. Appalachia hosts many of the designated Justice40 census tracts, which expands region's opportunities and access to funding opportunities.

Conclusion

The Ohio River Valley portion of Appalachia offers a diverse range of opportunities to repair damaged lands including manufacturing assets, a skilled workforce, and ample funding. Investment in infrastructure, workforce training, and clean energy technologies can help the region capitalize on its competitive advantages and become a hub for a thriving sustainable economy. This would create good-paying jobs, boost economic growth, and help the region to foster a clean energy future. 

The Appalachian region can overcome its challenges and become a sustainable leader in the manufacturing sector of the 21st century. By visualizing the sustainable attributes of the region, we can better understand and capitalize on its strengths and inherent opportunities. A Just Transition can only be achieved with the community of 31 million people in the region.  Join our coalition  of diverse voices across the region to solidify our economic and environmental future. 

More ASPM-Related Resources

To view all of the 20+ maps from this report in an interactive overlay web app, click  here for the ASPM Total Interactive .

To view an interactive dashboard of county-level data from the sections in this report, use the following links:

External Mapping Resources

Credits

Follow  this link  for a published Google Sheets spreadsheet of data sources used to create this report.