I think the problem is that people really don't like freezing to death in winter when there just happens to not be enough sun or wind. So you need something as a backup. But we're afraid of nuclear and just happen to have all this coal lying around. That's the sad why.

Because the entire economy of that region depends on coal mining and coal miners. You are aware that closing the mine down tomorrow would instantly land a fairly large group of people into poverty because they have no other marketable job skills other than coal mining, right?

The contract to expand the coal mine was signed a long time ago, it wouldnt be signed now. RWE, who mines the coal there, would have to be compensated if they werent allowed to mine there.

The compensation would probably be so high that its cheaper to just build renewable energy elsewhere, and the wind turbines are at the end of their lifespan anyway.

I just hope that we dont get a right wing government anytime soon that gives out the next stupid contract to mine even more coal there.

Because, in the end we have more coal underground than we ever need or should use, its not a question of finding coal, but instead of how or if we should mine it.