Coal's Dirty Past and Dangerous Future.

The tragic deaths of coal miners in West Virginia have reverberated across the country. In the wake of the accident, many are beginning to ask about the dangers of the massive Appalachian coal mining economy. Are we too reliant on coal ? Why do such dangerous conditions persist while the rest of the U.S. enjoys tough labor safety standards ? There are no easy answers to these questions, which may still echo long after the disaster has faded from the front pages, says Max Fisher.

Source: The Atlantic Wire.