Industry officials say more emphasis on coal is important to the nation's future.
Some environmental activists disagree.
The industry says it repairs the damage to the land by replanting it after the coal is removed. But critics say mining is also removing a way of life. We would find other sources of energy instead of trying to destroy our back yard. But coal industry officials say coal is an important part of the nation's future. He is instead trying to develop a rational, longer-term energy policy for this country.