I Live and work in the East Kentucky Coal Fields.
I believe mountaintop removal is on of the greatest things that has happened to eastern Ky.These Hills they way they are are useless,you can't build a house on them ,you can't farm it . It's Worthless.
After they flatten it out you can pretty well do whatever you need to with it.
Look at all of these new Hospitals that has sprung up.Also complete towns on land that has been stripped of coal.