Nearly 60 grassroots organizations and national groups have joined together to urge President-elect Barack Obama to think about communities affected by the coal industry when selecting appointees for key positions.

The groups are opposed to Obama appointing candidates who have called for decreased regulation under the Bush administration, noting that for the safety of those living near coal operations, as well as the workers at these operations, increased enforcement and protections are needed.

The positions of concern include secretary of the interior, director of the Office of Surface Mining, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Their letter says “it is absolutely essential that all of these posts be filled by people who fully and fairly enforce laws relating to underground and surface mining, mine safety and health, coal burning and coal combustion waste.”

Those who consider coal golden also are lobbying the Obama administration. Key Obama supporters, such as Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, come from coal producing states and have been rumored for energy cabinet posts.

Though on opposite sides of the debate, environmental groups and coal associations both are worried about Obama’s mixed messages on the subject. Energy Central says with dueling pressures, Obama can’t win on coal.