Charleston Gazette – Federal researchers estimate that Central Appalachian tonnage will fall more than half in the coming decade. Sean O’Leary, of the West Virginia Center for Budget and Policy, told (Ken) Ward:
“The reality is that even without greenhouse gas or mercury regulations, coal production in Central Appalachia is going to dramatically decline. Repealing environmental regulations won’t make the remaining coal seams in West Virginia any thicker or easier to mine, and it won’t stop power plants from converting to natural gas.”
The center’s director, Ted Boettner, added: “Most alarming is that the governor and many legislators are not putting the issue of coal decline and transition at the top of their legislative agenda.” Read
