Australia election highlights burning questions over energy future

Hunter Valley still relies on jobs in coal as leaders scramble for alternatives

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Michael Holz poses in the commercial core of Singleton, a town in Australia's Hunter Valley. (Photo by Steven Borowiec)

SHAUN TURTON and STEVEN BOROWIEC

SINGLETON, Australia -- Michael Holz spent four decades working in the coal industry in Australia's Hunter Valley; now he spends his days worrying about the region's future. 

As the world moves to cut carbon emissions, and more mine and coal-fired power station closures loom, the future of the region, a few hours' drive north from Sydney, is up in the air. Thousands of jobs are slated to disappear in the years ahead, threatening devastation for communities. 

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