As Companies Warn of More Layoffs, Lawmakers Look to Employment Training Programs
By Brian Sewell
Two Appalachian coal companies warned nearly 1,500 West Virginia employees that layoffs are likely this fall, underscoring the dire need for other job opportunities in central Appalachia.
On July 31, Alpha Natural Resources issued a 60-day notice to 1,100 employees at 11 surface mines and associated operations that could be idled by mid-October. In early September, Patriot Coal put 360 employees on notice at a surface mining complex in Boone County.
Several elected leaders responded to the news by promising to combat the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, while others are considering different options. E&E News reported on Sept. 12 that representatives David McKinley (R-W.Va.), one of the most pro-coal members of Congress, and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) were working together to craft legislation that would pay laid-off coal workers to participate in workforce training.
In the past two years, the U.S. Department of Labor has granted WorkForce West Virginia $7.4 million in National Emergency Grant funds to train displaced miners. The program provides up to $5,000 to individuals for occupational skills training aimed at fostering long-term reemployment.
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
Signs of Life
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment