Data

An analysis of Colorado-based Westmoreland Coal shows that it is in deep financial peril, a situation that may affect communities in Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wyoming as the company’s customer base dries up. “The cost inherent in coal-fired power are moving (utilities) away from coal," says the study’s author.

Free markets will continue to drive momentum toward cleaner electricity production in the U.S.. Coal is losing out steadily to renewable energy, which is becoming cheaper, and advance in technology do not favor coal.