One small plus for coal is that it doesn't leak. With better satellite observation now, we're finding out how underreported the emissions of methane from natural gas extraction were.
https://www.osmre.gov/programs/mine-fires
Due to thermal insulation and the avoidance of rain/snow extinguishment by the crust, underground coal-seam fires are the most persistent fires on Earth and can burn for thousands of years, like Burning Mountain in Australia.