It is still a huge part of our current generating profile. My point was that coal is essentially being phased out for a more efficient and more profitable fuel/generating process. That is why the mines are closing. But fuel contracts often span decades and some of these coal plants have a lot of operational life remaining, so some coal will still be mined and burned for a long time to come.

Even if coal made a bit of a resurgence, I don't know if WV mines would benefit much. Eastern coal tends to be "dirtier" or lower grade. Wyoming and the west is where a lot of coal comes from these days, even for eastern power plants. (I believe a lot of this is a result of complying with the Clean Air Act.)

I wouldn't count on other countries either. Coal is unlikely to be a big export for us. Europe is more liberal on this than we are. China and India are cited as building a coal plant a week (not sure that's true anymore) but they supply themselves with their own mines.

As to Obama's quote, I wouldn't try to defend that. It's an irresponsible statement. But the first link I found when I googled it said that his eventual air emissions program was nothing like what he spoke about in that interview. Sounds like he was interviewing with the San Fran newspaper and playing to his audience. Basically the same thing Trump was doing!