The Future of Coal.

The article looks at the history of the U.S. coal industry, coal's place in U.S. energy use, and political debates over environmental regulations related to coal, as of 2012. It notes the majority of coal used in the U.S. goes into electric power generation. Problems with coal cited include greenhouse-gas emissions, emission of other pollutants which cause health effects, and occupational hazards for miners. The impact of the falling price of natural gas on the coal industry is discussed.