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Fola Can Keep Mining... For Now
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From MetroNews
Hundreds of coal miners in Clay County will keep their jobs, at least for now.
U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers has granted a temporary stay to CONSOL Energy which runs both the Little Eagle and Fola surface mine sites near Bickmore pending the outcome of continued challenges to an earlier ruling.
After Judge Chambers ruled in favor of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition earlier this year because of problems with the water permit for the Ike Fork operations, Consol gave notice that some 500 workers would be laid off starting in February.
The problem was with the public comment requirements of such a permit which was originally issued in 2008.
The limited stay, which was granted Monday, means surface mining can continue at six Ike Fork valley fill locations "pending further order of the Court."
The layoffs would have impacted 104 workers at Little Eagle and 378 at Fola Coal.
CONSOL Energy Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Deluliis said the following in a statement after this week's ruling:
"We are very pleased by Judge Chambers' ruling which is welcome news to our nearly 500 Fola employees and their families, especially during this holiday season. This will allow us to refocus our attention on operating the Fola Complex safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner."
