Few Americans will deny that if we are not already immersed in an energy crisis, we are at least on the brink of a very serious energy crunch. Consequently, it is critical that we reassess our present and future energy resources, our escalating consumption of finite reserves, and. our commitment to energy conservation. Pivotal to such an assessment is the development of our nation\u27s vast western coal deposits and the vital part that federal coal can play in this tableau. Just one short year ago, the nation was primed to embark upon a new era of federal coal leasing as a meaningful start toward providing for tomorrow\u27s energy needs. Today, we find ourselves almost at a standstill in federal coal leasing. This article will review the tragic state in which the coal industry and the nation now find themselves as a result of this standstill and will consider the limited alternatives which are available to cope with this unfortunate situation
