Coal Companies and the External Costs of Coal

Coal companies must necessarily mine coal where they find it. This often results in people living near surface mines suffering a loss in their quality of life, and sometimes outright damage to property and health. Among these losses are sleep loss, higher cancer rates, contamination of drinking water, pervasive coal dust, structural damage to buildings, and even threats from coal miners. These damages or costs are not reflected in the price of coal and are called external costs by economists. These costs to people and society are not paid by the coal companies or their customers, but are paid by the victims. Respond to the question, " Should coal companies be required to compensate people who live near surface mines and suffer suffer property and health damage as a result?" Please post your one paragraph response with your name and class period.