[Old School]

So, why do you and JP blame it all on Obama and the EPA in most coal threads?

Up until the EPA became involved with surface mining permits the problem was more with market conditions and the environmentalist (in WV). Obama and the EPA's involvment has and is effecting the release of mining permits which is starting to trickle down the the coal companies and it employees. In order to sign mulit year contracts with energy companies, the coal company must prove they have or can permit the reserves to cover the contracts the current EPA is making this almost impossible, because they are not telling state officals or coal companies what it is they want changed in the permits.