Alpha Natural Resources announced today that it would close four Eastern Kentucky mines and two coal-preparation plants "as continued market pressures and new regulations on coal-fired power plants make production from certain mines in those areas uneconomic." The mines are in Pike and Martin counties, the state's easternmost. Alpha said 436 employees would lost their jobs, but 286 will be offered employment elsewhere in Central Appalachia.
Alpha recently said it expected to produce less coal this year due to declining demand, mainly because of the mild winter and electric utilities' switching from coal to natural gas. "Future sales forecasts also are being affected by a series of regulatory actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has resulted in utilities announcing plans to shut down a number of generating stations that have traditionally used Central Appalachian coal," the company said in a press release.
Alpha recently said it expected to produce less coal this year due to declining demand, mainly because of the mild winter and electric utilities' switching from coal to natural gas. "Future sales forecasts also are being affected by a series of regulatory actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has resulted in utilities announcing plans to shut down a number of generating stations that have traditionally used Central Appalachian coal," the company said in a press release.
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