[Bob Seger]

When consumer usage is down in any industry, layoffs are inevitable. A very mild winter, nationwide, and lower steel making will cause coal usage to go down. Also, natural gas is cheaper right now, so power companies are using it instead of coal.

I understand all of that and I agree with you, but a large part of the blame was for the low demand for metalurgical coal as well as EPA restrictions. Which to me means a low demand for durable goods. You still have to factor in the loss of permits too. Bottom line, it still says that the local economy is paying the price for the decreased demand for coal, whatever the reasons.