Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released the following statement today after learning that affiliates of coal producer Alpha Natural Resources will be reducing their workforce in Tazewell and Wise Counties:

“I am saddened by news of workforce reductions at mines in Virginia’s Ninth Congressional District.  My heart goes out to the hardworking coal miners who will be losing their jobs, and to their families as well.  Virginians impacted by the job losses can contact my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 for possible assistance and a resource packet that contains helpful information and tools.”

“I will continue to fight against burdensome, unreasonable, expensive regulations which are part of the cause of the economic distress currently being experienced in the coalfields of Central Appalachia, including the Ninth District of Virginia.”

Due to a challenged coal market and burdensome regulations over the past several years, affiliates of Alpha Natural Resources have idled more than 70 mines, reduced their workforce by more than 3,200 people, and have taken tens of millions of tons of coal offline.

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