The United Mine Workers of America Union, recognizes the shift away from coal-based energy is leaving it’s members with few employment options. Now, the union is asking for the government to include in it’s plans, tax incentives to draw solar panel and wind turbine manufacturers to coalfield areas with job preferences given to laid-off miners. Cleaning up the abandoned mines will create additional jobs while protecting people and the environment.
Coal mining communities served our country well by providing us with inexpensive electricity and heating from the 1800’s until petroleum products began their domination in the 1950’s, albeit while polluting our air and water and the workers in the industry.
Understanding and addressing the concerns of the coal miners and the communities dependent upon coal needs to be part of the transition to a clean energy economy.
