A Study on the Current Economic Impacts of the Appalachian Coal Industry and its Future in the Region

This study found that, for the 118 Appalachian coal-producing counties, the total economic impact of the coal mining industry output–including the multiplier effect–was $18.4 billion in 1997, while the direct impact was imately $12.4 billion. The total employment impact was 135,000, while the direct impact was 60,000 jobs. Forecasts for the Appalachian coal industry's future found that industry earnings and employment are expected to drop by 25 percent to 30 percent by the year 2010, depending on economic assumptions and various environmental policies.