Beam me to Planet Gore !
Coal - the ultimate “Old Growth”
Since 1970, unhealthy power plant pollutants have been reduced by almost 95% per unit of energy produced. Particulate emissions (soot) decreased 90% below 1970 levels, even as coal use tripled, and new technologies and regulations will nearly eliminate most coal-related pollution by 2020, notes air quality expert Joel Schwartz.
retail electric rates by state:
http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/115.htm
Dec 2007, fairly recent for comparison
Notice how most of the coal producing states are the lowest.