WAYNESBURG, Pa., April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Iron Senergy (“Iron”), the owner and operator of the Cumberland Mine located in Greene County, Pennsylvania, recognizes Senator Robert P. Casey’s concern for the Pennsylvania coal industry and its workforce. Through his recent press releases, Senator Casey has made it clear that the continued operation of coal-producing assets, like the Cumberland Mine, is in the “best interest of our nation.” Iron could not agree more and believes it is important for politicians like Senator Casey to bring attention to coal’s critical role in our national security, the reliability of our electrical grid, and lifting large portions of the world’s population out of energy poverty.
Unfortunately, the issues of coal production and coal-fired electrical generation have long been the focus of partisan politics and discourse, often at the expense of communities like Greene County, Pennsylvania. Senator Casey has made it clear that he will fight for the miners, families and economy of Greene County. We need strong voices in Washington that dare to reach across the aisle and fight back against the regulatory regime that continues to challenge the ability of coal producers and coal-fired utilities to do business, including without limitation, the EPA’s Ozone Transport Rule, Effluent Limitations Guidelines, and especially the Carbon Rule / Clean Power Plan 2.0.
Justin Thompson, Iron’s owner and Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement:
“I appreciate Senator’s Casey’s acknowledgement of the importance of the coal industry. Over the past ten years, however, Pennsylvania has lost half of its coal mining jobs. For that reason, I am inviting Senator Casey to visit our operations as soon as it can be arranged to discuss his support of the Cumberland Mine, which as Senator Casey notes, has been a large employer in Greene County since the 1970s. I am proud that Iron acquired the Cumberland Mine three years ago and deployed over $130 million in capital to extend the life of the mine and save over 700 jobs that would have been eliminated based on the closure plan of the previous owner. Senator Casey speaks of the need for coal miners to be certain about their future. So long as Iron continues to own the Cumberland Mine and can operate it safely and compliantly to serve a performing market, Iron stands ready to fight for the certainty of the coal industry.
Countless wars rage around the world over the control of energy assets. We are blessed in the United States, particularly the Appalachian region, with abundant natural resources. Iron and other fossil fuel companies are willing to do the hard work required to harvest those resources safely and productively and to continue serving as the economic cornerstones of our communities. However, we need a regulatory environment that supports us rather than hinders us, as the greatest threat to the continued operation of coal assets like the Cumberland Mine is bad federal and state policies, which are forcing the premature retirement of coal-fired power plants and causing the loss of jobs like those supported by the Cumberland Mine. I look forward to meeting and working with Senator Casey and other officials to promote sensible “all of the above” energy policies that provide a future for the coal industry, protect Pennsylvania jobs and keep the lights on throughout the Commonwealth.
Energy demand is growing exponentially both here and abroad. Rhetoric is now meeting reality as grid operators and energy officials are warning that our electricity supply is becoming unreliable and, as a result, large parts of the country face the risk of rolling blackouts. The U.S. electrical grid has failed five times in the past eleven years due to winter storms alone. Now is the time to act before it is too late. We need to face the coal hard truth.”
Iron Senergy (“Iron”), the owner and operator of the Cumberland Mine located in Greene County, Pennsylvania, is aware that members of the international and local leadership of the United Mine Workers of America (“UMWA”) have issued press releases and commissioned news articles indicating that the Cumberland Mine is permanently closing. These reports are false.
Prior to Iron’s acquisition of the Cumberland Mine from Contura Energy, the Cumberland Mine was set to be permanently closed in December 2022. In the last three (3) years, however, Iron and its owner Justin Thompson have deployed over $130 million in capital to extend the life of, and invest in the future success of, the Cumberland Mine. In addition, Iron has significantly reclaimed and repurposed the former Emerald Mine (which was closed in 2015), rebranding it as the “Greene Energy Center”, which now hosts a number of industrial applications, including a new frac-sand transloading facility, all of which have created jobs and tax dollars and benefited the local economy.
Along the way, Iron has added over 100 full-time employees at the Cumberland Mine and donated over $3 million to over 150 local community organizations. Any suggestion by the UMWA in its public statements that Iron has treated its employees unfairly, or that Iron does not understand its importance within the community, is patently false and would be refuted by an overwhelming majority of the workforce at the Cumberland Mine and the citizens of Greene County, Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, any suggestion by the UMWA that Iron is failing to communicate adequately with the UMWA is unfounded. Iron has a well-documented history of meeting regularly with the UMWA to discuss issues and will continue to engage as needed and when reasonably convenient. Iron will not, however, respond to unreasonable demands for in-person meetings, on short notice, ahead of a holiday weekend, when management is traveling and/or spending time with family. Prior to the issuance of the aforementioned UMWA press release, Iron made it clear in written communications to the UMWA that Iron is willing to schedule a meeting in the near future when mutually convenient for the parties.
The workers at the Cumberland Mine were sent home on March 20, 2024 as a result of elevated methane levels detected in the Cumberland Mine. Those workers will be called back to work when Iron determines that the Cumberland Mine can be operated safely and compliantly and when sufficient modes of transportation are made available by Iron’s customers to reduce inventory levels and justify the recommencement of mining activities, which has only been compounded by the recent closure of the Port of Baltimore as a result of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Subject to the foregoing, Iron fully expects to resume production in the coming days as previously planned.
While unfortunate, the public statements issued and commissioned by the UMWA have generated a number of unnecessary rumors and questions about the future of the Cumberland Mine. As evident by Iron’s investment in the Cumberland Mine, its workforce and the community over the past three (3) years, Iron desires to experience the continued operation and success of the Cumberland Mine. However, like every other coal producer in the United States, Iron will continue to evaluate the continued operation of the Cumberland Mine based on a number of relevant factors, including its ability to operate a safe and compliant coal mine, its ability to adequately staff its operations with qualified personnel, and its view on the long-term commitment of its customer base. That type of evaluation commenced in December 2020 when Iron acquired the Cumberland Mine, has occurred each year since then and will continue to occur in 2024 and beyond. The UMWA should not confuse that evaluation, and the related planning activities related thereto, as a decision to permanently close the Cumberland Mine at any particular time.
The WVU Medicine Children’s Gala commemorated its 20th anniversary at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place on Saturday, February 10, with the presentation of the 2024 Community Service Award to Iron Senergy CEO/Owner, Justin Thompson.
As Thompson received the award, a video showcased individuals personally touched by his generosity, including Michelle James, a patient recently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Michelle had the opportunity to attend concerts by Taylor Swift and Mariah Carey, courtesy of Iron Senergy. Reflecting on these experiences, Michelle shared, “It gave me something to look forward to in such a hard time, just getting to scream my favorite songs at the top of my lungs. It was an amazing little break from reality.” You can hear more of Michelle’s story, as well as that of Iron Senergy Plant Manager, Eric Gribble, who also benefited from Thompson’s kindness in the award video below.
Thompson’s dedication to philanthropy has left a permanent mark on countless lives. One notable initiative is his donation of $1 million to support the Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the new WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital. In honor of his donation Amy L. Bush, B.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., C.N.O.R., chief operating officer for WVU Medicine Children’s, said, “The Thompson family’s gift will help us build a top-notch facility and attract world-class neonatal experts to ensure that West Virginia families never have to leave the state for the care they need.”
The gala raised an astounding $1.45 million to support West Virginia children and their families, with over 1,200 attendees enjoying an elegant affair featuring a cocktail reception, silent auction, live entertainment, dinner, and more, all under the theme of “City of Lights.” A total of 90 sponsors contributed to the fundraising total, including top-level sponsors Iron Senergy, the Hayhurst Family, United Sound, Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, CJL Engineering and HED Design, Friends of WVU Hospitals, Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, Duke’s Mayo, Daniel’s Men’s Store, and WVU Medicine Garrett Regional Medical Center and Potomac Valley Hospital.
Through initiatives like these, Iron Senergy continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting our community and helping those in need. By using the strength of kindness and working together we believe we can create a brighter, more hopeful future for all.
In the spirit of giving, Iron Senergy, under the leadership of CEO and Owner Justin Thompson, has made a significant impact by enabling a heartwarming initiative. Recently, Thompson spoke about Iron Senergy’s contribution, which allowed WVU Medicine to send patients to Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas One and All” concert at PPG Paints Arena on December 5th. This gesture not only showcases the company’s commitment to the community but also highlights the profound impact of generosity on those in need.
Among the individuals who benefited from this opportunity is Michelle James, a patient with a touching story to share. Michelle revealed, “This year, I was diagnosed with another form of leukemia, and it was going well for a little bit. We decided it was time for a bone marrow transplant. We thought I wouldn’t be home for Christmas, but thanks to this event, I get to celebrate Christmas with my mom before IV chemo starts again in the new year. I’m grateful for these precious moments!”
Michelle’s story epitomizes the power of generosity in bringing joy and hope to those facing challenging circumstances. Despite undergoing intensive medical treatment, the opportunity to attend Mariah Carey’s concert provided her with a much-needed respite and the chance to create cherished memories with her loved ones during the holiday season.
Iron Senergy’s support not only facilitated James’s attendance at the concert but also symbolizes the company’s dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals within the community. By partnering with WVU Medicine Children’s, Iron Senergy exemplifies the importance of corporate social responsibility and the profound impact it can have on enhancing the well-being of others.
As we reflect on this heartwarming story, let us celebrate the power of generosity and the joy it brings to those who need it most. Iron Senergy’s contribution serves as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect, spreading happiness and hope to those facing adversity.
Iron Senergy is honored to have received the 2023 Reclamation Award from the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. The recognition for “Best Overall Project” acknowledges Iron Senergy’s outstanding reclamation efforts at the Emerald Mine, a mining operation that has undergone a remarkable transformation under our stewardship.
The Emerald Mine, acquired by Iron Senergy in December 2020, had lain dormant since its closure in 2015, with little attention given to its reclamation. Embarking on a visionary journey, Iron Senergy initiated a comprehensive reclamation and repurposing initiative in September 2021, setting the stage for a remarkable turnaround. A total of 77 structures at the site were meticulously demolished and reclaimed, breathing new life into the landscape.
In a gesture that resonates with the community and underscores our commitment to innovation, Iron Senergy has rebranded the once dormant site as the “Greene Energy Center.” This transformation not only pays homage to Greene County but also signals our dedication to pioneering sustainable and forward-thinking initiatives.
At the heart of our transformative efforts is the establishment of a state-of-the-art frac sand transloading facility, a result of a strategic lease agreement with Smart Sand, Inc. Operations at this facility commenced in January 2022, marking the beginning of a partnership set to transload over 1 million tons of frac sand annually. This not only invigorates the local economy but also opens up new avenues for rail business, benefiting the Norfolk Southern railroad.
Our collaboration with Smart Sand, Inc. aligns seamlessly with Iron Senergy’s commitment to innovation and fostering economic growth. The facility, located at the former Emerald rail loadout, now serves as Smart Sand’s Northeastern hub for last-mile storage and transloading solutions, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for the entire operation.
The vision for the Greene Energy Center extends far beyond sand. Iron Senergy has ambitious plans for the site, including the development of solar energy projects. Multiple interconnection applications have been filed with PJM for utility-scale solar endeavors, showcasing our dedication to creating a hub for diverse and sustainable energy solutions.
The Greene Energy Center is more than a project; it’s a testament to Iron Senergy’s vision for responsible development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. As operations unfold and new chapters are written, this initiative is set to redefine the landscape, creating a lasting legacy of positive impact for Greene County and beyond. Stay tuned for the unfolding story of progress at the Greene Energy Center.
In a heartwarming gesture of kindness, several young patients from WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital were treated to an unforgettable night at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert, held at Acrisure Stadium. The magical evening was made possible by the generosity of Justin Thompson, the owner and CEO of Iron Senergy.
Accompanied by their mothers, the lucky patients embarked on an exciting journey to Pittsburgh aboard a party bus. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and joy as they made their way to the sold-out concert. Once at the stadium, they were ushered into a suite, where they had a perfect view of the stage and the enchanting performance that awaited them.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Justin Thompson ensured that the evening was truly unforgettable by arranging for food, fun, and entertainment before the concert. The young fans had a wonderful evening, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. As a token of their experience, each child received tour T-shirts and merchandise to commemorate their special night.
For Thompson, this act of kindness was his way of giving back to the community and brightening the lives of these deserving children. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to take a few hours one evening for an event like this and hopefully give these kids an escape,” expressed Thompson. “They are our future, and it’s worth it to see them enjoy themselves.”
The WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital expressed their deep gratitude to Justin Thompson for his selfless donation, emphasizing the positive impact it had on their young patients. “We are so grateful for our partnership with Thompson and all the staff at Iron Senergy. Thank you for always making the ‘whole place shimmer’ for our patients,” shared a representative from the hospital.
The evening at Taylor Swift’s concert provided a joyous respite from the challenges these young patients face. It allowed them to forget their troubles and immerse themselves in the magic of music, bringing smiles to their faces and warmth to their hearts. The partnership between WVU Medicine Children’s and Iron Senergy continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these courageous children, reminding them that they are valued and cherished members of the community.
Our team at Iron Senergy was honored to help support our local chapter of The Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) #598 with their 2022 Christmas Dinner efforts. Located in Waynesburg, PA, the members of FOE volunteer and provide the local community with free meals on Christmas Day for those in need. There are no requirements to participate in the meal, as the group strives to help everyone they can. They also provide options to dine-in, take out, or even have delivery for those who are unable to travel.
“When our team was contacted by the FOE and learned that their organization provided over 1,500 meals to local families on Christmas Day in 2021, we knew immediately that we wanted to help,” said Heidi Jamison, Community Coordinator at Iron Senergy. “It was very inspiring to hear about all of the amazing things this group of volunteers does for local families, and not just on Christmas, but year round.”
With the FOE #598 planning their 5th annual event, Iron Senergy was proud to partner with the organization for the 2022 Christmas Dinner program, donating $5,000 to help cover the costs needed for the dinner. Once again, the FOE team outdid themselves this year, hosting nearly 2,000 individuals throughout Greene County.
“We try to help the community as much as we can,” said , member of the FOE #598. “This donation from Iron Senergy will definitely help us support and continue to provide this service for the community.”
From all of us at Iron Senergy, we want to thank the Fraternal Order of Eagles #598 Waynesburg for their efforts in supporting our community on Christmas, as well as year round, and allowing our team to play a role in the event.
For more information on the Fraternal Order of Eagles #598 Waynesburg, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Eagles598 or contact (724) 627-7565.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.
CASA of Greene County recently hosted their Annual Winter Gear Distribution, providing winter clothes to local children in need. Iron Senergy was proud to partner with them, and together, we provided essential winter items like coats, boots, hats, gloves, blankets, and many other types of clothing to 243 local kids.
“We started this project three years ago, and our friends at Iron Senergy said they wanted to be a part of this. They sponsored the 2022 Children’s Winter Gear Distribution, and provided $10,000 to the Challenge Grant.” said Aaron Houser, Executive Director of Greene County CASA. “The idea is to alleviate that burden on families who are having problems trying to make ends meet right now. This year, we blew last years’ numbers out of the water!”
This event was open to all children in Greene County up to age 18. The remaining inventory will be made available to local child-welfare agencies and school districts for families that were not able to visit.
CASA of Greene County’s mission is to advocate for the best interests of neglected and abused children involved in dependency court proceedings. CASAs ensure that these children are in safe, permanent homes as soon as possible and that their needs are met while they are in foster care.
Coming together with local organizations to support the community is important to Iron Senergy. We thank CASA of Greene County for allowing us to be a part of this amazing event!
A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer who is the voice for an abused and neglected child. They have been screened, trained, and appointed by a judge. CASA volunteers partner with social workers to provide judges with timely, objective, and detailed information to ensure the child’s immediate safety and well-being and determine his or her forever home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives during a troubled time
For more information or to donate go to https://www.greenecountycasa.org/
At Iron Senergy, we are always looking at ways that we can help invest or make an impact in our community, and this past December, we had the opportunity to help give back in partnership with the Greene County Commission. After Iron’s recent move to our corporate office on EverGreene Drive, we were able to consolidate some of our technology and had the ability to donate some computers for the county to use at their discretion.
“We had twenty-two computers we were no longer using, and I immediately thought of the county,” said Heidi Jamison, Executive Assistant and Community Coordinator at Iron Senergy.
According to Betsy McClure, Green County Commissioner, these laptops will be repurposed. They plan to use them for the family center, housing, drug and alcohol, jail & general maintenance.
“Over the last couple of years, Iron Senergy has been a great industry partner with Greene County through a bunch of initiatives, and we want to acknowledge their participation with Greene County,” said Mike Belding, Greene County Commissioner. “We all, as a team, work together to make Greene County a better place to live, learn, work and play. We want to acknowledge Iron Senergy and the contributions they are making to Greene County.”
At Iron Senergy we look forward to finding more opportunities in the near future to continue to help Greene County in any way possible.
Our Greene County Board of Commissioners are elected to serve for a term of four years. During this time, the Commissioners are responsible for the fiscal affairs of Greene County, including the annual budget, levying of real estate taxes and the investment of county funds.
For more information or to contact the Greene County Board of Commissioners go to https://www.co.greene.pa.us/commissioners
All entries must follow the entry rules to be qualified. Participant (or entrant) must follow Iron Senergy on Facebook, and must like and share Iron Senergy’s monthly post regarding their Impact campaign.
The user’s charity of choice must be local, within 30 miles of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.* The charity must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity/organization*.
The charity designated by the monthly winner will be presented with a $500 check from Iron Senergy. The winner may join to present the check, if they choose. Monthly winners will be drawn during the last week of the month. The winner will be contacted through Facebook Messenger, and the charity will be presented the check the week following the drawing. If for any reason the charity chosen by the winner declines the donation, winner will be given the opportunity to choose another. If the winner does not answer the Facebook Message within (72) hours, this will be considered a forfeit of winning and another winner will be chosen.
The charity designated by the yearly winner will be presented with a $5,000 check from Iron Senergy. The winner may join to present the check, if they choose. Yearly winners will be drawn at the end of the year. Monthly winners are also eligible for the yearly contest. The winner will be contacted through Facebook Messenger, and the charity will be presented the check the week following the drawing. If for any reason the charity chosen by the winner declines the donation, winner will be given the opportunity to choose another. If the winner does not answer the Facebook Message within (72) hours, this will be considered a forfeit of winning and another winner will be chosen.
*At Iron Senergy we have a strong drive to help out all charitable organizations, however, our effort in this campaign is to help impact the organizations that are in the same communities from which we operate.
* We are currently unable to make donations to religious or political organizations
