by Claire O’Neil
Wheeling, WV — After President Trump signed an executive order to boost the coal industry, the labor union United Mine Workers of America is responding. Last week, President Trump signed executive orders to support America’s coal industry, unleash American energy production, and make the U.S. energy dominant. At-Large International Vice President for the United Mine Workers of America, Rick Altman, believes this could be a good thing.
“There has been a black eye with coal for a number of years, and with the commitment from the president and the governor, hopefully that will increase the productivity of the mines,” said Rick Altman, At-Large International VP for the UMWA.
Altman adds that, though it will help add jobs to the economy, it is also important to consider the electric power industry. With the Sammis Plant demolition happening on Saturday, this is something to keep in mind.
According to the UMWA’s website, by December 2020, U.S. coal employment had fallen to 44,100, 7,000 fewer than January of that year. However, with President Trump’s order, the hope is to support these jobs and add billions to the economy each year.
“As a miner would like to see is that we can use coal in a safe and clean way, I think technology is out there with carbon sequestration and blue hydrogen so there are technologies out there,” said Altman. “I would like to see other ways of utilizing it, which can be good for all of us.”
