The Washington Times reports on Pittsburgh-based coal company, CONSOL Energy, will lay off nearly 500 of its West Virginia workers next year. It notes:
A Pittsburgh-based coal company, CONSOL Energy, will lay off nearly 500 of its West Virginia workers next year and its CEO blames environmentalists dead-set against mountaintop mining who have waged “nuisance” lawsuits for the job loss.
CONSOL Energy’s political problems are not unique to the mining industry, which has suffered under the Obama Administration. The Environmental Protection Agency is already holding 79 surface mining permits in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. The EPA says these permits could violate the Clean Water Act and warrant "enhanced" review. And, agency went even further in October, announcing plans to revoke a permit for the Spruce No. 1 Mine in West Virginia.
There can be little doubt that the modern environmental movement – with the full support of this radical and ideologically-driven Administration – will do everything in their power to destroy jobs. That’s what it all comes down to.