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.

Since Obama took office in 2009, many coal companies have gone bankrupt including recently Alpha Natural Resources (ANRZ). The EPA has begun to set regulations on the previously limitless amount of carbon emissions that could be let off into the air. This decline is partly due to the increase of natural gas because of its lesser cost.

With so many coal procuring companies going under, natural gas has begun to take over as the next big fossil fuel in use. After Obama released a new climate change initiative, the stocks of many coal based energy companies tumbled over 8%. Because other nations growth no longer require coal, there is less reason for it to be mined.

Companies have struggled for five years in an environment of strict regulation, & Prices, L. (2015, August 3). Coal companies have been scorched under Obama. Retrieved August 24, 2015.

As strict environmental regulations are being put in place, an estimated 13 gigawatts of energy from coal powered power plants are expected to be shuttered. Environmental groups have begun to challenge and placing significant legal pressure on coal plant owners. The pending regulations on coal emissions would slash the number of coal powered power plants by ⅓ by the year 2025.

Politicians are beginning to make decisions about coal after pressure from environmentalists. The decline of coal powered power plants in the US is significantly dropping as a result of the decrease in value of coal and increase in public policy against it. The demand of coal is decreasing and therefore the supply is ceasing.

Cunningham, N. (2015, May 28). Coal Facing Worst Year Yet in 2015 | OilPrice.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.

Coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel encompasses 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. Many international banks and governments have expressed their unwillingness to finance future coal excavating projects. The price of renewable energy has gone down recently and coal also has to compete with other, cheaper natural gasses. Over the past 5 years, US coal companies have collectively lost over 75% of their value. In recent years across the globe, 2/3s of all coal power plant projects have been canceled.

The overall decline in recent years of coal marks significant progress for environmental activists. If coal continues to drop to such low values, it can be eliminated or at least greatly reduced which is positive for the environment. Companies are turning to greener, renewable energy sources that because of how bad it is for the environment. If nations and banks decide to stop funding projects for coal, the decline could be expedited.

Why You Should Short Coal. (2015, July 6). Retrieved August 17, 2015.

Coal exports and production in the US has posted another quarter of lower coal production. This is part of a two year decline of US coal exports. This is partly due to India now producing more coal domestically so there is less need to import it from foreign nations. Slower electricity demand and industrial growth and the regulations on the power and energy-intensive industries have contributed to this lack of exportation.

The recent reduction in US trade is beneficial for our environment. If other nations begin producing and excavating their own coal, there will be less need of the US to export theirs. And therefore, the natural resources of the United States and keeping our fossil fuels for the future, instead of seeking profit in the short term.

U.S. Energy Information Administration – EIA – Independent Statistics and Analysis. (2015, August 11). Retrieved August 17, 2015.