The OhioAmerican Energy company announced it would close its coal mine near Brilliant, Ohio on Tuesday. There is no question whatsoever about the reason for the shutdown, because the company made it abundantly clear in their press release, which I am reproducing in full below. President Obama will be campaigning in Ohio on Wednesday; perhaps someone will present him with a copy of this letter and ask for his thoughts.
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OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. ("OhioAmerican"), a Subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation ("Murray Energy"), today announced the closure of its coal mining operations near Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio.
Regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers were cited as the entire reason. "Mr. Obama has already destroyed 83,000 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in America," said Mr. Michael T. W. Carey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Murray Energy. "Electric prices in the recent PJM Interconnection monthly auction were bid up 800 percent (8 times) for 2015-2016 because of this," he added.
"At its peak, OhioAmerican employed 239 local people in high-paying, well-benefited jobs," said Mr. Stanley T. Piasecki, General Manager and Superintendent. "University studies show that our Mines can create up to eleven (11) secondary jobs in our communities, for store clerks, teachers, etc., to serve our direct employees. Thus, if one uses the eleven (11) to one (1) multiplier, the Obama Administration has destroyed 2,868 jobs in eastern Ohio with this forced Mine closure," stated Mr. Piasecki.
"This is a sad day for all of us, and particularly Mr. Robert E. Murray, the Founder of OhioAmerican," said Mr. Piasecki. "He is so distraught that he came to the Mine and personally announced the layoffs to each of the employees," he added.
"Mr. Murray created OhioAmerican, and our production began in May, 2007," said Mr. Piasecki. The Mine was intended to last for at least ten (10) years. Now we have been forced by our own Country's President and his followers and supporters to permanently close the operation," added Mr. Piasecki.
"Fortunately," said Mr. Ryan M. Murray, Vice President of Operations, "we will be able to eventually employ thirty-two (32) of the OhioAmerican employees at another operation of Murray Energy, when their work is finished at their existing Mine." "But, these thirty-two (32) people will fill jobs that would have gone to others," said Mr. Murray. "Therefore, considering this, we have lost all of the jobs at OhioAmerican, and we are deeply saddened," he added.
"As was stated by Mr. Ronald D. Koontz, General Manager of The Ohio Valley Coal Company ("Ohio Valley"), regarding the layoff of twenty-nine (29) employees at Ohio Valley's Powhatan No. 6 Mine last Friday, this is not the end," said Mr. Piasecki.
"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," said Mr. Murray. "Both Mr. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stated that there would be 'no coal in America' prior to their elections," said Mr. Piasecki. "They are making good on their intentions while they destroy so many lives and family livelihoods in this area for no benefit whatsoever," he concluded.
