Families in Southern Illinois have counted on coal for decades as a way to earn a living -- not only those in the mines, but others who work in supporting industries, including transportation.
As the U.S. moves away from coal as a primary fuel source and coal mines begin to shut down, what's next for these Southern Illinois families? KMOX talked with Ken Anderson, the director of Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC) Advanced Energy Institute.
Illinois is the fourth-largest coal producing state. Anderson said SIUC is exploring ways the federal government can support communities impacted by the declining coal industry. But also, he said, area colleges are doing their part.
"We're working very hard to produce opportunity for the younger generation," Anderson said. "And for workers that are already in the field, we're looking at things like solar energy, particularly as a as a replacement in part, and energy storage options. You can't talk about renewable energy without talking about storage, and we're talking about both of them."
He said there's still a large market to produce coal to market overseas, but in the long term, even that will start to decline.
"We have to be prepared for that. And we have to position people to be able to continue to sustain the lifestyle that they used to with other means," he said.
Anderson said the federal government has put up almost $200 billion to help support coal communities and retraining and retooling new businesses.
Hear more from SIUC's Ken Anderson on what will happen to Southern Illinois amid the decline of coal:
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