There are many different stakeholders who view Appalachian coal supply from entirely different perspectives. Producers fear increased costs and production impediments arising from an expanding regulatory structure, including an increasing difficulty in obtaining the necessary permits to enable production. Conservationists fear the environmental damage that would result from any retreat from a strict regulatory structure. And end-users fear the impact that regulations will have on the purchase price of coal and the continued availability of coal as a dependable and cost effective fuel. Are all of these fears well grounded? Is it a money, supply or environmental issue?

The answer is all of the above. Coal is an abundant resource, however if current regulations stand as they are today, the cost