The Feb. 15 story raises another question this newspaper asked two years ago in our series “The Carbon Quandary”: Will coal-fired utilities find a way to burn coal and capture and store the resulting carbon dioxide emissions?

The answer to that question — driven by those who see carbon dioxide contributing to climate change — may determine the fate of the American coal industry. And West Virginia, with coal employing thousands and funding much of our government, has more at stake in this debate than any state.

Congress soon will have a say in how this nation generates electricity and, in the process, likely will force families and businesses to find out whether they can afford a profound shift in our energy policies. The new administration in Washington certainly has made its thoughts known about coal, so change surely is coming.

With all of that happening, West Virginia and other coal states must make the following cases:

* Coal must remain part of the nation’s energy mix for the foreseeable future. Many Americans do not appreciate the importance of coal and want to walk away from it, but utility executives know coal is reliable and affordable and that wind, solar and other alternative energy sources cannot replace it immediately.

* Coal can become an important transportation fuel. Yes, government is certain to insist that processes to convert coal into jet and motor fuels capture and sequester carbon. We must accept that condition because the nation’s security depends on developing reliable domestic transportation fuels. The RAND Corp. recently concluded that new coal-to-liquid technologies are promising and could reduce greenhouse gas emission levels.

* With coal’s future uncertain, West Virginia has never had a greater reason to diversify its economy. For now, coal employs thousands, and state and local government depends on coal taxes. But we must develop new economic generators to complement our energy-based revenues. We must encourage investments in all sorts of businesses — technology, tourism, manufacturing, timber, distribution and, yes, energy development. West Virginia can be more competitive, but we must modernize our tax code, bring predictability to our courts and achieve government efficiencies where possible.

While The New York Times wonders whether America can quit coal, most West Virginians must know we cannot give up on our backbone industry.

It also has become apparent that we must plan for the future.