Coal's slump is largely the result of cheap natural gas, which now rivals coal as a fuel for generating electricity. According to the Labor Department, there were 56,700 jobs in coal mining in March, down from 68,000 just a year earlier. Drilling techniques such as fracking have sparked a boom in gas production, driving down prices and prompting utilities to switch from coal. Easing EPA restrictions — the industry is challenging EPA in court — would help over the long run, but not enough to offset the loss of market share to natural gas, he said. According to the U.S.