“Within the next three to five years, more than 200 coal-fired electric generating units will be shut down across 25 states,” The Daily Caller reports, destroying jobs and raising electricity costs at a time when Americans are struggling with fewer jobs and higher prices on everything from gas to groceries in the Obama economy. Power producers and mining companies consistently point to the Obama administration’s war on coal – effected through a blitz of burdensome, excessive regulations – as one of the main causes for the recent wave of layoffs that have put hardworking Americans out of the job. Several editorials from the areas most deeply affected by the president’s assault on coal-fired energy are taking the administration to task, and urging Senate Democrats to act on the House-passed Stop the War on Coal Act to help protect American jobs:

• “Production Cuts, Mine Closings and Thousands of Layoffs Are No Myth.” “More West Virginians were jobless last month than in July, largely because of massive layoffs in the mining industry. … Obama’s defenders insist the war on coal is a myth. But production cuts, mine closings and thousands of layoffs are no myth. They may be gratifying to a White House determined to wreck the coal industry - but they are new causes for concern among residents of West Virginia, Ohio and many other states where tens of millions of people rely on inexpensive electricity generated from coal.” (The Journal, 9/25/12)
• “Every Job Lost in the Coal Industry Is Another Blow to Our Nation’s Still Anemic Economic Recovery.” “‘The Stop the War on Coal Act,’ is vital to the survival of an industry under siege by Washington. … Coal-fired plants across the region that once provided gainful employment to area residents also are being closed as a result of new overreaching regulations…the passage of this measure in the Senate should be viewed as absolutely imperative to our nation’s energy future. … Every job lost in the coal industry is another blow to our nation’s still anemic economic recovery. And the loss of 1,200 jobs is absolutely crippling.” (Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 9/25/12)
• “Tens of Millions of Americans Will Suffer If [President] Obama Is Allowed to Continue His Assault on the Coal Industry.” “Tens of millions of Americans will suffer if Obama is allowed to continue his assault on the coal industry. Most probably are not aware of the consequences of the president's vendetta. They do not understand their electric bills will go up by hundreds of dollars a year if utilities proceed with plans to shut down dozens of coal-fired power plants. Because some industries rely heavily on reasonably priced electricity from coal-fired generating stations, Obama's plan will be a major job killer. Right here in the Ohio Valley, the Ormet Corp. in Monroe County plans massive layoffs because of higher prices for power.” (The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register, 9/24/12)

The Stop the War on Coal Act “reins in the administration’s most damaging new energy regulations and holds them accountable for the economic impact of several others,” Speaker Boehner said in a statement applauding House passage of the bill last week. The Stop the War on Coal Act continues House Republicans’ relentless effort to rein in the government red tape that is making it harder for the private-sector to grow, and promote American energy – under the American Energy Initiative - to help address high costs and create jobs. The House has passed nearly 40 energy and jobs bills that are being blocked by the Democratic-led Senate. President Obama should lead by calling on Senate Democrats to pass these bills so they can be enacted immediately. The hardworking Americans and communities that depend on one of America’s most cheap and abundant natural resources can’t wait.