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| Kevin Crutchfield of ANR. |
Coal producer Alpha Natural Resources said Tuesday it was cutting production by 16 million tons and eliminating 1,200 jobs companywide, laying off 400 workers immediately by closing mines in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.That's a lot of layoffs.
The mine shutdowns start Tuesday, while the rest of the layoffs will be completed by the end of the first quarter after Alpha fulfills current sales obligations.Not good.
Support positions will also be cut proportionally as Alpha reduces its operating regions from four to two.
Crutchfield said the shutdowns and layoffs are a necessary part of ensuring Alpha survives in what has become a difficult U.S. market, where coal companies face a dual challenge: Power plants are shifting to cheap, abundant natural gas, while companies like his face "a regulatory environment that's aggressively aimed at constraining the use of coal."A regualtory environment that's aggressively aimed at constraining the use of coal? Who would want to do that?!
Well, wait a minute. We rely on that coal production for coal powered electrical generation. That is the primary means of electrical generation for the eastern seaboard.
One question, Mr. Obama: How are we going to replace all that energy?
Aren't we having a problem getting natural gas as well? Didn't the president shut down the off shore oil rigs for months and months, causing a number of companies to move their rigs elsewhere? Did he not then loan Brazil billions so they can build them for their off shore production instead?
ReplyDeleteCan I hear an Amen?!!
Carbon Dioxide. Oh yes, the heady dangers of unregulated carbon dioxide. Breath in... breath out. Breath in ... breath out. Wait - the planet is superheating... we going to be like Venus, trapped in a hell of CO2 emissions whose cumulative effects will turn the planet into a giant ball of gas...
ReplyDeleteNo wait, that was just AL Gore - some problem with a build up of inner energy or some such.
One question, Mr. Obama: How are we going to replace all that energy?
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't plan to. Sure, he says solar and wind and unicorn farts, but even he's not that stupid. It the Unibomber's Plan. Energy is the lifeblood of modern civilization and they expect to price all conventional energy through the roof. This will automatically transform our economy, no legislation needed. Life as we know it will change forever. The US is "The Saudi Arabia of coal." By taking it off the table, preventing coal liquefaction and coal gasification to replace conventional oil and natural gas, when needed, they have changed the game. Screw the Luddites! They can go back to The Stone Age anytime they like. I'll stay in the 21st Century.