I think the logic likely goes like this. Coal power is cheap and cheap power allows industry to grow faster. Faster economic growth means faster growth of the p

I think the logic likely goes like this. Coal power is cheap and cheap power allows industry to grow faster. Faster economic growth means faster growth of the people out of poverty. And since poverty kills through lack of education, nutritious food, good jobs and safe infrastructure, bad coal is still better than no energy, or energy so expensive it slows growth.