Eastern Kentucky officials say coal is to eastern Kentucky's economy what Toyota is to the Blue Grass and say the state cannot afford to lose it.

The statements were made Thursday afternoon during a forum at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Hundreds of people from all over the state are there debating coal's future.

Supporters say coal puts food on the table and pays the bills for thousands of families and they say it is needed for Kentucky's economic future. But others say it is destroying the land and think Kentucky cannot have an economy based solely on coal.

Eastern Kentucky officials say coal provides thousands of jobs and is the backbone of the state's economy.

“Coal has basically given our state an upper hand to recruit industry because coal has low cost,” House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins said.

Supporters say coal provides more than 90 percent of Kentucky's electricity at a cheap rate.

“If we reduce the amount of coal, we reduce the amount of electricity. I don't think most Kentuckians want to cut back on their use of electricity,” former governor Paul Patton said.

“If coal was good for Kentucky, we wouldn't be in the shape that we're in,” Vanessa Hall said.

Vanessa Hall says coal is not worth the cost of the land.

Research Jason Bailey conducted shows coal does provide tax dollars for roads, schools, and local government. He argues the effects to the environment and people's health cost more.

“We need to transition our economy and quit taking advantage of and destroying the people of Appalachia,” Bailey said.

Supporters say coal is the only way for the local to survive and say focusing on clean coal technology is the answer.

Both sides may disagree but say they will work together for the future.