Regrettably, the Sept. 2 editorial “Trump administration takes another step to rescue coal industry” doesn't tell the whole story. It seems to buy into the Trump administration's premise that rolling back pollution regulations is the way to turn around the coal industry, when in fact both the coal and natural gas industries are in decline because they can no longer compete with renewable energy electric power production. Consider:

- In 2019, 70% of all new power generated in the U.S. came from solar and wind. Renewable energy is now projected to be the most economical source of electricity worldwide.

- Coal, natural gas and oil companies claim their mining rights as “assets,” but those are now projected to be “stranded assets” with no market to sell into, since they can no longer compete with the low first cost and minimal operating costs of wind turbines and solar photovoltaic systems.

- Can you name a coal company or drilling company that is not currently in bankruptcy? Will all coal, gas and oil companies once again use bankruptcy as an excuse to avoid the environmental cleanups they're legally obligated to fund?

- According to the U.S. government, renewable energy jobs far exceed coal jobs and are predicted to continue growing at 6% per year. Would you rather get a job building solar systems or working deep underground in dark, dangerous mines?

Once again, the U.S. taxpayer — actually our kids and grandkids — will eventually have to foot the bill to clean up our drinking water, since Trump's folly will allow aging coal-fired power plants to continue dumping toxic coal ash and heavy metals (including mercury, arsenic, and selenium) into our waterways.

The future is renewable energy; let's not poison our kids' drinking water by investing in an industry that is already in its final death throes.