Because of the recent drop in the demand for coal, coal miners in West Virginia are facing uncertain futures. Since 2008 the price for a ton of Appalachian coal has dropped over 65%. Thousands of coal miners are being laid off because their companies are filing for bankruptcy.
Because so many people are being laid off due to the bankruptcy of big coal companies, entire towns of people are going to be left jobless. One worker stated he would find work at a railroad company, however the hiring has been put on hold because of the decline in rail use because they aren’t shipping anymore coal. So socially reducing the US’s dependence on coal is negative because of the loss of jobs however environmentally we’re all smiles.
W.Va. Miners Face Uncertain Future As Demand For Coal Drops. (2015, August 17). Retrieved August 17, 2015.
It’s interesting to see how negative the effects of the dropping coal demand are in terms of jobs. I feel bad for the people being put out of work, but I guess the question is what’s more important, preserving jobs or preserving the environment?