They were told in during the campaign that Obama wanted to take their coal jobs from them. Most of the coal states voted for Obama.
I guess they were willing to take one for the team. Screw them.
Obama: “You know, when I was asked earlier about the issue of coal, uh, you know — Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”
http://www.qando.net/Details.aspx?Entry=9612