I can't see any good reason to subsidise the coal industry. Its long established, highly profitable. Its had years of taxpayer funding to provide infrastructure, research and development. If they can't operate without handouts by now its obviously a dinosaur and perhaps due for extinction.
Subsidies should only be used to support new industries that need a leg up before they can compete, they should be for a limited time and they should contribute to the greater good, not just line the pockets of a few fatcats.
