Coal miners have to change their way of life just as it happens everywhere else. If someone is not in position to alter his career, it does not mean others have to protect his obsolete and dangerous job with significant negative impact on environment. All these "myopia" talks about poor people who have families are just myopic regarding possible government policy options: there do exist approaches that can satisfy both conservatives and progressives. You have a lot of people with experience and strong motivation to work: give them money to spend 1 year of their lives to learn something else, help to relocate and provide some guidance on the job market and you'll return twice the money in future tax returns.