coal fired electricity plant

393713 09: As coal is poured into a waiting barge, smoke billows from a coal powered electric plant August 26, 2001 in western, PA. The coal mining industry, once nearly extinct in Pennsylvania, has made a recent comeback as a centerpiece to President Bush”s energy plan. Since February of 2001 the price of coal has doubled to more than $40 a ton and over a thousand miners have gone back to work in Pennsylvania this year alone. Coal mining, while dangerous, dirty work, is still one of the best paying occupations in western Pennsylvania, with the average wage over $18 an hour with up to $6 an hour more in benefits. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)