Structural Shifts in Energy: Decline of Coal in Kentucky.
Just a quick post of some thoughts brought about by reading an article about the impact from less coal mining in eastern Kentucky. Here's a link to the article: link. You'll hit the WSJ firewall, but just copy and paste the title into a google search and click the top link to get around it.
It is sad to see coal miners struggle. With jobs in the region down 27% from their average in 2011 (8,000 now down from 11,400) and with the 13th highest unemployment in counties across the US, it makes you wonder what these miners who have been at it for 20-30 years will do. It will be easier for the younger ones to retrain and find new jobs, but will be much harder for those in the 40's and 50's. Also seems bleak because coal seems to be the only major resource they have in that area.
When I first read the article I thought it was going to be all about the political "war on coal". It seems like as our wars overseas has wound down, people need to make up more wars to keep our militant nature fresh. I shouldn't make such jokes, but as I have learned more about the "war on Christmas", I honestly do feel a bit disturbed by how frequently the word "war" is being used and in such a loose way. Anyway.
The article discusses the variety of factors including the rise of shale gas and competition from coal mines in Wyoming and Illinois that are contributing to the decline of mining in Kentucky. While the EPA regulations on emissions are increasing the decline of coal, the picture is more complex than tat.
It is interested to note the structural changes going on in the energy industry, and is sad to see the casualties from the changes. Again, I think our nation needs a better systems to reeducate workers so they can recover from such structural changes.
Despite the difficulties of the coal miners, change in itself is inevitable and while they will struggle to adjust to this change, it is necessary. The hardships that future generations will feel from inaction on global warming will collectively be much greater than the hardships of these coal miners. Making changes in a society is never easy as their are always winners and losers. While the losers shouldn't be left to fend for themselves, these changes must be made for the good of the society.
My heart goes out to the miners in Kentucky who are have to sell their cars to just scrape, but do believe that this is a necessary change.
It is sad to see coal miners struggle. With jobs in the region down 27% from their average in 2011 (8,000 now down from 11,400) and with the 13th highest unemployment in counties across the US, it makes you wonder what these miners who have been at it for 20-30 years will do. It will be easier for the younger ones to retrain and find new jobs, but will be much harder for those in the 40's and 50's. Also seems bleak because coal seems to be the only major resource they have in that area.
When I first read the article I thought it was going to be all about the political "war on coal". It seems like as our wars overseas has wound down, people need to make up more wars to keep our militant nature fresh. I shouldn't make such jokes, but as I have learned more about the "war on Christmas", I honestly do feel a bit disturbed by how frequently the word "war" is being used and in such a loose way. Anyway.
The article discusses the variety of factors including the rise of shale gas and competition from coal mines in Wyoming and Illinois that are contributing to the decline of mining in Kentucky. While the EPA regulations on emissions are increasing the decline of coal, the picture is more complex than tat.
It is interested to note the structural changes going on in the energy industry, and is sad to see the casualties from the changes. Again, I think our nation needs a better systems to reeducate workers so they can recover from such structural changes.
Despite the difficulties of the coal miners, change in itself is inevitable and while they will struggle to adjust to this change, it is necessary. The hardships that future generations will feel from inaction on global warming will collectively be much greater than the hardships of these coal miners. Making changes in a society is never easy as their are always winners and losers. While the losers shouldn't be left to fend for themselves, these changes must be made for the good of the society.
My heart goes out to the miners in Kentucky who are have to sell their cars to just scrape, but do believe that this is a necessary change.
