Isn't it where that giant methane cloud over New Mexico is?

Hmm, not familiar with that story!

This is on the Ohio/West Virginia border.

No way of filtering the toxins I'm guessing?

Well, I dispute that... As you can tell, I like steel making. Coke making is currently an integral part of that process. But I can't believe that better ways of making coke can't be developed, which would capture virtually all volatiles. The process used now is about 100 years old; I really can't believe something better can't be created with modern materials and technology. I have a feeling other countries (that would be GERMANY, mostly) are probably working on that problem, because they have strict environmental laws AND a desire to retain heavy industry.

Starting with the continuous caster, arc furnace, and BOF, the US let other countries charge ahead of us in steelmaking technology. Then we complained when "global competition" started hurting our steel makers...

Oh, there is also "direct reduction" where iron ore is processed using natural gas for fuel. It's never been particularly successful, but other countries continue to work on it. At some point they will make it work at scale.

Of course that would mean even less demand for coal, but let's face it: the coal industry is pretty much doomed.

With the recent plummet in iron ore prices, the iron ore industry in the USA is probably doomed, too. Thankfully Starbucks has lots of great minimum wage jobs available in a town near you!