Murray CEO Speaks Out On Coal Industry Issues

Murray Energy CEO Robert Murray is calling for a deep cut to a state coal mining tax possibly offset by higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol, professional services and natural gas production. Murray spoke to the West Virginia Coal Mining Symposium in Charleston Wednesday, and said West Virginia’s coal severance tax needs to drop from 5 to 2 percent to be competitive with other states. He said Gov. Tomblin’s proposal is insufficient. Murray also blasted President Obama for his policies that target airborne pollution from coal-fired power plants.