If I had lost my job as a coal miner and needed to support my family, I might welcome news of an expanded coal excavation in Kane County, just 8 miles from Bryce Canyon. But if I truly loved my state and wanted my children to grow up healthy, I would search for other ways of making a living.

If I were a legislator, I would definitely work on alternate income sources for coal miners. Coal is on the way out. Once supplying 51 percent of the United States energy supply, it supplied 31 percent as of 2014. Natural gas, wind and solar have become more economical and, in most cases, cleaner, less expensive sources of energy with a booming employment potential. Yet Utah continues to promote coal as if our religious roots somehow protect us from the dirty air, respiratory illnesses, poisoned fish and contaminated water its extraction and use leave behind.

I do not understand why many Utah congressmen and public servants jeopardize the beauty of our state, our national parks and monuments, and the millions of dollars tourism provides by allowing coal extraction near these areas.

Please tell your legislators to protect our public lands and not allow coal extraction near our national parks. Better yet, tell them to find other ways for coal miners to earn a living.

Patty Becnel, Salt Lake City