How Big Is Big Coal? Public Perceptions of the Coal Industry’s Economic Impact in West Virginia

Abstract

The coal industry has played a major role in the culture and history of the state of West Virginia, establishing an identity as the “backbone” of the economy in this region. However, as the mining process has become more mechanized, employment has declined and risks have increased, but support for the industry continues. This study explores research that could provide explanations for this phenomenon and examines whether there is an overestimation of the role of the coal industry in the regional economy. We also examine factors that may affect one’s perceptions of the economic impact of the industry. In particular, certain demographic qualities or ideological tendencies described in previous work by Bell and York are shown to have some effect on these perceptions.