Is Coal Really a Cheap Energy Source?

The Kansas City Star has a story about the rising cost of coal.

Electric bills are poised to soar for customers of utilities building coal-fired power plants.

The plants, long-trusted purveyors of low-cost power, no longer seem like such good bets because of soaring construction costs and the surging cost of coal. Moreover, many think Congress will impose penalties on emissions that contribute to global warming.

Makes you wonder if coal is really the cheap energy source that proponents make it out to be.