I don't get why you're downvoted so much. Coal certainly has a place, even nuclear does in a country as big as the US. Going on a "monofuel" energy production (which would be gas, for now) has a lot of hidden costs on top of the obvious ones (gas is significantly more expensive than coal on industrial scales for energy production, but still far cheaper than nuclear or solar).
Not to mention that using coal extends the deadline on your country's gas reserves, reduces the much-hated fracking etc.
Not to mention that using coal extends the deadline on your country's gas reserves, reduces the much-hated fracking etc.