Question: Does coal still have a future as a solution to energy problems?

[DFab420]

Is it time for America to move away from coal mining or no?

[VMA131Marine]

1. The US already is moving away from coal mining

There is very little left and what remains will disappear sooner rather than later with or without assistance from the government. Basically it's been killed off by fracked natural gas.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. Realistically, for at most a decade.

It is likely to take time to phase out old coal plants and build plants that use less damaging fuels.

It is likely to be used in foreign countries for longer than that.

Here in the US, the fracking boom has driven whole segments of the coal industry out of business. I think we export more than we use. I've seen elsewhere that nonrenewable sources are the fastest growing source of energy.

[arcane1]

3. It has no place n/t

[CalvinballPro]

4. Save our mountain-tops, abandon coal. nt

[Jitter65]

5. Here is your best answer and a peek at the only candidate addressing the issue.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/11/12/3721674/hillary-coal-plan/

"Hansen pointed to education, for example. While many people in coal communities need training and education that will make them more attractive employees, training the workforce alone is not enough. The areas also need to bolster the businesses that will hire people, Hansen said, and that means improving standard of living in order to attract new investment. Clinton’s plan includes both infrastructure and broadband improvements."