They must either adapt or be be left behind according to West Virginina Senator Jay Rockefeller.  This directive was the result of Rockefeller's urging coal operators to support a bill he introduced for the development of renewable energy sources in West Virginia.

Read the details at West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

It is no secret that the new administration does not favor coal or clean coal technologies. 

On January 21st, West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller sat before the Senate Finance Committee challenging president Obama's perspective.  Rockefeller's compelling argument included lobbying for aid from the massive stimulus package currenlty passing through Congress.  He proposed that a portion of the money should be used for research and technology which would seek to significantly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from coal.