Japan's Nuclear Crisis Benefits the Coal Industry

     While the nuclear crisis in Japan may have set back the nuclear power industry in the United States, another major player in the energy industry is getting an unexpected boost. With public reticence of nuclear power growing and Japan searching for a new energy source to replace its lost nuclear plant, the coal industry is stepping up to fill the void.

     The debate over coal power has been raging for a long time in the United States. Liberal groups have largely condemned coal power as a major environmental hazard and a dead-end for job creation.  Meanwhile, conservatives have rallied behind coal; calling for an expansion of coal mining in the name of fostering American energy independence and strengthening the economy.  In light of the present circumstances, liberals will likely be unable to hold back the expansion of the coal industry.

     With nuclear power taking a PR hit and oil still reeling from the BP incident, coal and its supporters are getting a boost to their cause. As the Obama Administration continues to work against the expansion of oil drilling and nuclear power loses traction in the wake of Japans nuclear crisis, coal is the only major energy source left available. In the years to come, we will likely see a major expansion of the American coal industry as demand for cheap energy grows both at home and abroad.

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Steve Michaels

Twitter: SteveMichaels5