Published: January 5, 2016 |

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As we move into 2016, more than 500 coal miners will be laid off by Murray Energy.

Officials are estimating the number of layoffs to land somewhere in the upper 500s, reaching over 600 including those from earlier this year.

So far, coal officials estimate 107 layoffs in Harrison County at the former Robinson Run Mine, 106 in Monongalia County at the former Blacksville Mine, which already suffered 128 layoffs earlier this year, and 82 layoffs in Marion County at the former Loveridge Mine. Nearly 300 cuts are expected in other counties throughout our state and Ohio. Mike Caputo says this is another crushing blow to industry in 2015.

“We’re facing new EPA regulations, and proposed regulations, which is making the market quite uncertain. There’s no new coal-fired power plants being built at this time. We’re having an extremely warm winter, which is not requiring the amount of power we would normally use,” says Caputo, Vice President of UMWA District 31 and State Delegate.

Some members of the community 5 News spoke with say the layoffs not only affect the miners, but their families as well. And, the fact the news is coming on New Years Eve, is especially devastating.

“My father was a miner for 43 years, my brothers are miners. So, it does impact me, it does impact our family,” says Eve Weaver.

“Timing is everything and that’s horrible time to have to lose a job,” adds Jeff Wiseman. “We’ll never be without coal, we’ll always need coal. I’m pro-coal, and I hope the best for those people.”

Murray Energy released a statement saying:

“Murray Energy Corporation confirms that certain workforce adjustments and scheduling changes, made in the normal course of business, are necessary to reflect the current coal marketplace, which has been destroyed by President Barack Obama, and his supporters, including the Sierra Club, the increased utilization of natural gas to generate electricity, and the extremely excessive coal severance tax in the State of West Virginia. We are unable to discuss the details of these adjustments.”

Officials say the exact numbers for how many people were laid off at each mine will become more clear in the next few days. They say they aren’t sure at this point if the layoffs will become permanent.

Source: (December 31, 2015) WDTV.com

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