Murray Blames Obama After His Company Lays Off Local Miners - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Murray Blames Obama After His Company Lays Off Local Miners

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It was unexpected and bad news after Ohio American Energy announced their plans of laying off 32 workers at the Red Bird West Coal Mine in Brilliant.

Before the layoffs, the mine employed 56 people.

Years ago when the mine was operating at its peak, employed over 230.

WTRF.com had the chance to talk to the mine owner, Bob Murray.

Murray, who has been an outspoken opponent of President Obama, solely blamed his administration and the E.P.A. as the reason for these layoffs.

Murray told WTRF.com, "I created these jobs. I have 1,600 jobs here in the Ohio Valley. Penn State said that for every one of the those jobs there's up to 11 that serve the goods and services of those people. That's over 20,000 jobs that I personally account for in the Ohio Valley. Jobs that I created from scratch and now I can't keep them."

Murray added the he expects more layoffs to continue within his company in the future.

Murray also added that he'll do everything he can to fight the President on the evolution of "clean-coal" technology.


There is a bit of good news, the 32 workers that were issued a layoff notice at the Brilliant mine will given an opportunity to work at another Murray mine.