great question! Coal is unfortunately very well connected on every level of the government. For example, the unions are one of the oldest and have very good pol

great question! Coal is unfortunately very well connected on every level of the government. For example, the unions are one of the oldest and have very good political connections, especially to the left of the political spectrum and down to the smaller levels. So combined with the corporations they wield a lot of power. I've also seen major players of the political, federal left, meeting with representatives of these unions. They are the typical union-jobs with large corporations in the background.