COAL

Coal Mining Careers Do-Over

CNBC followed the narrative of an ex-m iner, T ony Bowling, who attended commu nity college for 10 m onths to becom e an electric linem an, following the shu t down of his coal m ining plant. B owling stated,"I'm m aking m ore m oney now than I ever did at the m ines."

Over the years, Kentucky’s coal production has diminished to less than half its manufacturing. Infact, in 2017, Kentucky’s mining job rate dropped from 17,000 to 6,600, at the exact same time as in 2010. It came as a massive blow to a place that was historically known for being impoverished. This data, together with the promise of growing mining jobs, influenced eastern Kentuckians to vote for President Donald Trump in the 2016 elections. The Kentuckians believed that coal could make a similar comeback that automobile manufacturing made in Michigan (doubling the exports from $30 billion in 2009 to $60 billion in 2017).

Contrary to certain negative opinions, a change to alternate fuel sources does not mean that Kentucky would be left out of the economic growth. Some companies are currently implementing solar panels on older strip-mining websites, thus paving the way for safer, cleaner environments, not only for those currently living near these websites but also for those who could solve some of Kentucky's struggles with project opportunities. Change isn't always a bad thing.

Furthermore, the east and west parts of Kentucky are working to diversify their workforces, but are not moving fast enough. There needs to be more strain on producing jobs in new locations instead of just working to attempt and conserve the coal industry. Coal's requirement is decreasing unlike that of automobile production which tends to increase with population and will do so until America makes the investment to transition into public transport. Part of the issue, according to a CNBC post, is that coal is priced very low to justify extraction right now, owing to an increase in fracking, the rising number of environmental laws and a growing emphasis on renewable energy sources.

Perhaps it’s time for others to follow suit and consider pursuing alternate career paths. It is crucial for the present and prospective generations of Kentucky to plan ahead for a coal-free future instead of remaining stuck in an obsolete tradition.