So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted. -President Obama. January 17th, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle
With the news breaking Wednesday that over 1,200 coal mining jobs in Applachia will be lost due to shutdowns of various operations, and coal mining and production cuts, it appears Obama is making good on his pledge.   Alpha Natural Resources of West Virginia announced they are cutting at least 1,200 jobs, shutting down several mines, and the cuts might spread to other operations and companies.
  While some say cheap natural gas and less coal use is behind the demise,   numerous other critics say  growing and harsh EPA regulations are the cause of the layoffs.    In numerous coal industry areas,  EPA related layoffs have been happening for months.   The new EPA laws not only restrict building new plants, but also choke out existing facilities by forcing them to meet a myriad of new standards in order just to operate as is.
  If there is any doubt as to what the Coal Industry thinks, consider this direct quote from a leading PBS Coals Inc. official (PBS is a Pennsylvania based coal company).
(From The Washington Times-Pittsburgh Post Gazette, July 23 2012):
“[T]he escalating costs and uncertainty generated by recently advanced EPA regulations and interpretations have created a challenging business climate for the entire coal industry,” said PBS Coals Inc. President and CEO D. Lynn Shanks in a statement on Friday.

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