This is the 21st century. Why are we burning little black rocks to charge our laptops and cell phones?
Because after years of mine shutdowns and declining prices, the coal industry is making a prosperous return.
In the early 1900s, coal was the nation’s major fuel source, supplying almost 90 percent of its energy needs, according to the Department of Energy.
When the cleaner, more efficient petroleum and natural gas came into play, the demand for coal declined. Today, nearly 55 percent of the nation’s electricity is generated using coal, and the numbers are growing, according to the World Coal Institute.
Even though perceptions of the coal industry have changed dramatically over the years, coal maintains its vital role in the world’s energy mix for many reasons. It is easy and safe to transport, it remains far cheaper than natural gas, and it is abundantly available.
But it wasn’t until natural gas prices shot up and California was held back by blackouts that the coal industry took center stage. For decades, it seemed to be dying. But with easing of pollution controls, the Bush Administration began to establish the...
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