And it also means that Team Obama is trying to make good on at least one of its campaign promises; namely, ridding America of coal.
Below are statements from the company's press release.
“Mr. Obama has already destroyed 83,000 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in America. Electric prices in the recent PJM Interconnection monthly auction were bid up 800% for 2015-2016 because of this." (Michael T. W. Carey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Murray Energy)
“At its peak, OhioAmerican employed 239 local people in high-paying, well-benefited jobs. University studies show that our mines can create up to 11 secondary jobs in our communities, for store clerks, teachers, etc., to serve our direct employees. Thus, if one uses the 11 to 1 multiplier, the Obama Administration has destroyed 2,868 jobs in eastern Ohio with this forced mine closure. This is a sad day for all of us, and particularly Mr. Robert E. Murray, the Founder of OhioAmerican. He is so distraught that he came to the mine and personally announced the layoffs to each of the employees."" (Stanley T. Piasecki, General Manager and Superintendent)
“There will be additional layoffs, not only at Murray Energy, but also throughout the United States coal industry due to Mr. Obama’s ‘War on Coal’ and the destruction that it has caused to so many jobs and families in the Ohio Valley area and elsewhere. Both Mr. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stated that there would be ‘no coal in America’ prior to their elections. They are making good on their intentions while they destroy so many lives and family livelihoods in this area for no benefit whatsoever." (Robert E. Murray, the Founder of OhioAmerican)
