Coal co's were good stocks a few years ago. I think ANR actually made money from coal shales, which are a tougher type of coal to extract, but was profitable with oil > $100/bbl. Now, not so much, and the 85% stock decline shows that.

That said, the EPA regs aren't exactly trying to keep coal co's in business, considering they are hurting pretty bad already for the reasons you mentioned and more.