NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A report released on Tuesday claims that coal mining in Tennessee actually costs state taxpayers money.
The report, produced by an environmental group, found that the coal industry contributed about $1.1 million to the state budget through taxes and fees.
The study said the industry costs taxpayers around $1.6 million in state subsidies and expenses for mine regulation, reclamation and road repairs.
A NewsChannel 5 investigation earlier this year revealed that donors with interest in coal contributed more than 300-thousand dollars to political campaigns in Tennessee since 2009.
A bill that would have banned most types of mountain top mining in Tennessee failed this year after a house committee refused to vote on it.
The report said no county in Tennessee depends upon the coal industry for more than two percent of its total employment.
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