[mmanager]

Problem is that probably a lot of the people at the meeting don’t even live in the area. Coal production is growing in the U.S. as the export markets are the future. Our utilities will be going up 30-50% while developing countries will enjoy cheap power.

Been in this business for 34 years and the small operator is being squeezed out by regulations. If they can’t pass on these regulatory costs to the utility they have to eat them which equals costs that cannot compete.

[familyop]

"Problem is that probably a lot of the people at the meeting don’t even live in the area."

Those who stop exploration for mining in my area (on the Rockies) are all real estate interests and residents most active in homeowners' associations and local government politics. Most of them have been employed by government or global corporates (mostly pensioners, e.g., Teamster lawyers mixed with former corporate officers). They don't want families moving in from poorer neighborhoods to work. They don't want any cattle nearby. They don't want any neighbors making a product for sale. They don't want any new yard lights shining at night.

They don't want any young man to build or manufacture anything.