Appalachia has and always will rely on the production of coal. People rely not just on coal but the economy and opportunities its presents them when in times of large production. The Appalachian coal field regions have suffered greatly economically, socially, and politically sense the tragedy at the Upper Big Branch Mine in April of 2010. The economy is in the gutter and coal towns have began to diminish. Since the disaster even the way in which people associate themselves politically have changed. Is it possible to say Appalachia or the coal industry will ever recover from such a severe tragedy that could have possibly been avoided?