I just watched my tape of Bill Moyers Journal where he discussed President Bush's proposed policy change to allow the continuation or easing of regulations of surface mining on August 24, 2007.
There is a 60 day waiting period where the public can comment on the new policy.

Here is the PDF of the policy: http://www.osmre.gov/news/082407.pdf
To see the actual proposal you will have to goto
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main and search for Document ID: OSM-2007-0007-0001

I have read the document and really don't understand it. http://www.wvecouncil.org/take_action/2007/08_30.html is a website that helps explain it and a generic comment idea. Basically, while saying they are helping the environment, our administration is relaxing regulations on coal production. I don't think many people believe the hidden costs of coal are that great.

The tragedy is the poor people of West Virgina. They are becoming sick because of surface mining tainting their water. Yet, they have no economy with out the coal industry.

While site like this promote the use of "clean coal" http://www.careenergy.com/cleaner_environment/clean-coal-technology.asp
I don't think we are thinking far enough up stream figuratively speaking.

If we just used less energy, we would need less energy?