"For every mining job, there are five to seven additional jobs in the economy, secondary jobs," he said.

Statewide, mining is about 2 percent of Utah's gross domestic product. Utah coal is known for being high quality because it's low in ash, sulfur and mercury. It's also more expensive to mine. The forecast for Utah's future in coal mining varies, depending on whom you ask.

"There are additional reserves to keep mining going in that area for 20 to 25 years easily," said Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, adding that there are still areas of Carbon and Emery counties that have not been mined.

Utah's biggest coal reserves may be off limits.

"Sixty-five percent of the state's reserves are located in the (Grand Staircase) Escalante National Monument. They've been put off limits," said Litvin. "The long-term coal future for Utah is not as bright as it could have been."

A disaster also has a way of changing things. Dmitrich worked at the Willow Creek Mine near Price until an explosion shut it down. He said losing the Crandall Canyon Mine could hurt.

"It'll be an impact to Emery County from the mine going down," said Dmitrich. "Because of the tax base, every time they mine they make 'X' amount of dollars."

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com