UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.--Sustain Penn State will host a virtual screening of “Devil Put the Coal in the Ground” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as part of its Intersections Film Series. The screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion exploring the connections between coal, economic development, public health and environmental remediation.
About the film
The documentary examines the lasting impacts of the coal industry on Appalachian communities, highlighting how extractive economies shape not only the environment, but also local labor markets, public health outcomes, and long-term community well-being. Through personal stories and community perspectives, the film explores how regions historically dependent on coal continue to navigate economic transition amid the opioid crisis and environmental degradation.
Communities across the United States that have relied on extractive industries often face intersecting challenges, including economic instability, population decline, environmental contamination, and limited access to healthcare and social services. These pressures are particularly acute in rural areas, where historical dependence on a single industry can leave communities vulnerable as markets shift and resources disappear.
“Devil Put the Coal in the Ground” highlights efforts to confront these challenges through community-driven approaches to economic diversification, workforce development, and environmental restoration, while also acknowledging the complexity and difficulty of rebuilding systems that have been shaped by generations of extraction.
Panel discussion
Following the screening, participants will be invited to attend a panel discussion featuring experts whose work spans rural economic development, environmental restoration and social research:
- Jacob Hannah, CEO of Coalfield Development Corp.
- Kristina Brant, assistant professor of rural sociology at Penn State University and faculty member of the Social Science Research Institute
- Stephen Motyka, president of the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance
The screening will take place over Zoom and is free and open to the public. Advance registration at this link is required for online attendance.
For more information, please contact Sustain Penn State's Student and Public Programming Coordinator Julius Camper at jac8761@psu.edu.