What Obama is not touting is how his "war on coal" has harmed another large segment of Ohio workers, costing them jobs and increasing the cost of living for them.
OBAMA- 2008-: “So, if somebody wants to build a coal plant, they can — it’s just that it will bankrupt them, because they are going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Interview With San Francisco Chronicle’s Editorial Board, 1/17/08)
That is the one promise Obama kept.
Coal Miners:
OhioAmerican Energy Announced The
Closure Its Coal Mining Operations In Brilliant, Ohio, Citing President
Obama And His Appointees As The Reason. “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.” (Murray Energy, “OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. Coal
Mining Operation Closed In Eastern Ohio,” Press Release, 7/31/12)
- “The Obama Administration Has Destroyed 2,868 Jobs In Eastern Ohio With This Forced Mine Closure…” “‘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.” (Murray Energy, “OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. Coal Mining Operation Closed In Eastern Ohio,” Press Release, 7/31/12)
- Murray Energy General Manager Stanley 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’…” ‘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 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.” (Murray Energy, “OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. Coal Mining Operation Closed In Eastern Ohio,” Press Release, 7/31/12)
“Regulatory Excess Of The Obama
Administration” Cited For Layoffs At The Ohio Valley Coal Company’s
Powhatan No. 6 Mine In Belmont County, Ohio. “The Ohio Valley
Coal Company announced Friday it has been forced to reduce its workforce
at the Powhatan No. 6 Mine in Belmont County, Ohio. According to a news
release 29 hourly jobs will be cut. The company cites regulatory excess
of the Obama Administration as a direct cause to the layoffs.” (Colin
Lawler, “Ohio Valley Coal Co. Announces Layoffs,” WTRF, 7/21/12)
In Ohio, FirstEnergy Will Begin Downsizing Its Bay Shore Plant In September; Eventually 73 Workers Will Lose Their Jobs.
“Electric utility FirstEnergy Corp., Toledo Edison's parent firm, said
this week it will begin its planned downsizing of the Bay Shore plant in
Oregon on Sept. 1 by permanently laying off workers. The number of
workers to be laid off eventually will total 73.” (“Layoffs To Begin
Sept. 1 At Bay Shore Plant,” Toledo Blade, 7/20/12)
The Plain Dealer: Plant Closures In Ohio “Will Be A Punch In The Gut For Communities Already Battling Sour Unemployment Numbers.”
“These plant closures will be a punch in the gut for communities
already battling sour unemployment numbers. Three of the plants are in
Cleveland, Eastlake and Ashtabula, which stand to lose millions in
property taxes as well as many jobs.” (Editorial, “Coal Plants' Loss
Will Hurt Ohio,” The Plain Dealer, 1/29/12)
Mitt Romney is paying attention to those families.
Related:
Coal miners blast Obama over campaign ad's digs at Romney
History of coal mining in Ohio.