Heather Stephens, professor of community and economic development and director of the Regional Research Institute at West Virgina University, will give the talk, “The Local Impact of Coal Mining Closures,” at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in 157 Hosler Building on Penn State’s University Park campus.

A region’s geographic characteristics and industry composition can impact how they react to economic shocks. Stephens will discuss how the mid-2000s natural gas boom and subsequent decline in coal demand impacted the economic outcomes for Appalachian coal communities.

The event is part of the fall seminar series hosted by the Initiative for Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy (EEEPI). The talk is free and open to the public.