Coal Eager For Trump Regulatory Rollbacks, But Industry Rebound Unlikely

"Leaders of West Virginia’s coal industry were rejoicing Wednesday over the election of Republican Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th president — and the possible regulatory rollbacks that may come with it — but industry and economic experts remained skeptical that Trump can really bring back a significant number of mining jobs lost largely to competition with low-priced natural gas.

“The heartland and coal country still matter in this great nation,” the industry group Friends of Coal said on its Facebook page. “Your way of life still matters.”

Murray Energy CEO Bob Murray said that he expects Trump to “surround himself with the very best people to fix the many problems facing our country” and that Trump “will finally implement a national energy policy whereby all energy sources will compete on a level playing field.”"

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette-Mail November 9, 2016.