What is the overall state of U.S. coal mines?
We’ve been mining in our country for 100 years, and the “easy stuff” is already out. So coal miners have to go miles into a mountain in order to reach untouched coal. The coal is remote, and it’s more challenging to remove. Q: Why is coal mining so important to the U.S.? A: About 50 percent of our electricity comes from coal. It’s abundant and cheap, and it lets us live the lifestyle we love. But we are very dependent on fossil fuels, and there’s a cost to the environment and to the people that work in the industry. We put tens of thousands of our fellow citizens in jobs that have a high number of hazards and a high risk of death and injury. We need to invest our research and our talent into more sustainable energy sources and be more appreciate of the resources we do have and not waste them. Think of them as resources to be treasured. Comments? Criticism? The conversation continues. We welcome reactions, commentary and story recommendations on our Facebook page. To return to the Georg
