In an op - ed for the New York Times, Michael E. Webber, deputy director of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, blames coal's struggles on cheap and plentiful natural gas, cheap renewables and air -
quality regulations launched under the George W. Bush administration, as well as weaker - than - expected demand for coal in Asia.
In April 2009, in conjunction with its Annual Conference, the NAPBS
launched the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program (BSAAP) to serve as the industry's primary vehicle for
quality assurance, self -
regulation, and public accountability.