Alabama Environmental Management Commission Punts.

As reported in the Birmingham News:

The Alabama Environmental Management Commission this morning told an administrative law judge to conduct further hearings on a water discharge permit for the proposed 1,773-acre Shepherd Bend coal strip mine.

The mine is near a major Birmingham Water Works intake on the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper Inc. had appealed the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's decision to grant the permit, arguing the operation would harm water quality.

The commission oversees ADEM.

Political Newcomer for the Alabama Public Service Commission has Coal Miners' Well-Being in Mind.

Stephen Evans, a retirement plan adviser from Dothan, announced that he will be making his first bid for public office in the PSC race. Last week, former Greene County Commission Chairman Chris "Chip" Beeker announced his candidacy for the same seat.

They will meet in the Republican primary in June. Cook is seeking re-election and has no announced Democratic opposition.

The candidate said the PSC should do more lobbying in Washington on national utility issues, such as opposing cap-and-trade legislation that he said would lead to higher electric rates for Alabama Power Co. and fewer jobs for Alabama coal miners.

"We've got to make sure we have conservative PSC members who continuously lobby Congress on behalf of the consumers," he said.

Read the full story here.


Alabama Coal Mines

The Profile of a U.S. Coal Miner, 2007

Profile of a U.S. Coal Miner, 2007.

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Releases First Sustainable Development Report

Written in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, the Report aims to establish baselines within several key sustainability areas, including:

-- Governance, Management and Transparency

-- Environmental Stewardship

-- Promoting Sustainable Development in Local Communities

-- Economic Impact

-- Respecting Employees

The Report is located at: http://www.cliffsnaturalresources.com/Development/Pages/2008SustainabilityReport.aspx






Cliffs Natural Resources

Jefferson County Coal Mine

Adger Coal Mine

Oak Grove Coal Mine

Alabama Coal Mines

Officials at Cliffs Natural Resources Tell 100 Recently Laid-off Alabama Coal Miners To Get Back To Work

Catch The Complete Story Here.

Cliffs Natural Resources says it's recalling 100 laid-off coal miners due to improving demand for coking coal used to manufacture steel.

Cleveland-based Cliffs said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that it needs the miners at its Oak Grove Mine in Adger, Ala.

Federal records show the Oak Grove mine currently employs about 380 people and produced just under 1 million tons of coal last year.

The recall is the latest sign of stronger orders for coking coal from the steel industry.





Cliffs Natural Resources

Jefferson County Coal Mine

Adger Coal Mine

Oak Grove Coal Mine

Alabama Coal Mines