Coal is this nation's most abundant source of energy. It represents 88% of the proved national fuel reserves now and 74% of all we can ultimately hope to recover. Yet coal now accounts for only about 19% of the nation's energy production and use, whereas the much more limited oil and natural gas are carrying about 78% of the energy load. In the face of an accelerating national energy demand, that fuel mix simply cannot be maintained.

It is essential that the public recognize that trade-offs are necessary between our energy and our environmental goals. We need to strike a workable balance between reasonably environmental restrictions and the total well-being of an energy-based society. In our efforts to merge our energy and environmental goals, the nation must start thinking about coal not so much as part of the problem but as part of the solution.

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