It may be attractive for environmentalists to shut down coal mines, but what happens to those communities that grew up around those plants that close; some nonprofits attempt a solution.  

"While the expected demise of coal has environmentalists rejoicing, what happens to the communities that depend on the industry? Nationwide, energy politics thrives on endless debate between environment and jobs, but in Appalachia, those questions determine the fate of an entire region.

"Over the past decade, coal’s share of total U.S. electric power generation has fallen precipitously, and gross earnings by coal mining firms have joined the plunge. With hundreds of coal plants shuttered or scheduled for retirement over the past few years alone, the future of coal country seems grim. Who's watching out for the people are being hit hard by this shift? And what's philanthropy's role?"--Philip Rojc, Inside Philanthropy