What will mine disaster mean for coal industry?

Will Tuesday's mining disaster at Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia lead to stricter regulation of the coal industry? On that question, the coal industry and its critics are as polarized as ever. According to Anne C. Mulkern and Patrick Reis of Environment & Energy News, a coalition about 60 groups sent an e-mail to reporters saying, "Coal Mine Owner Puts Profits Before Safety." The group cited a number of reports about Massey's safety violations, fines paid by the company and controversial comments from CEO Don Blankenship.

Mining interests said the explosion was unlikely to translate into a significant shift in regulatory policy. The past two years have been the safest on record for coal mines, said Luke Popovich, spokesman for the National Mining Association. "I don't think there are facts on the table that will persuade this Congress or this administration to destroy an industry that's as important to the economy as this one is," Popovich  told E&E, adding, "That's more fantasy on the part of green critics than it is a realistic expectation."

For more of E&E's analysis of the possible fallout for the industry, click here.