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[–] AmaleksHairyAss 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

At this point it's much less expensive to use automated trucks and shovels for most coal mining. We could double coal output and only add 10% more jobs. Just as important, the world is moving to solar power over the next five to ten years.

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[–] ShinyVoater 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Not to rain on your parade, but the energy storage required to even out the production of something as fickle as the sun isn't going to be cheap, both for production and maintenance. Other power sources(such as coal or gas) are pretty much flat in their production, so no storage is required.

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[–] level_101 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

You are not taking into account that the same thing happening to solar is happening to battery technology. Most of the old patents that have held back the industry are expiring in the next 5-10 years.

This is largely what is responsible for the boom in the solar industry. The energy storage industry will be chomping at the bit to get in on the solar industry the second those patents expire.

Things are going to change rather quickly.