Rothfus Reacts to FirstEnergy Announcement of 200 Layoffs

Pittsburgh, PA - Today marked another disappointing announcement in the energy sector as FirstEnergy announced plans to cut approximately 200 workers in Beaver County.  This comes just two days after Alpha Natural Resources announced its plan to cut 1,200 workers.  Keith Rothfus, candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s twelfth district, reacts:

“I am deeply disturbed by the continued decline in the energy sector and in the coal industry specifically.  The destruction of the coal industry is the one promise President Obama has kept, and now 200 more Pennsylvanians are paying for it with their jobs.  Congressman Critz has refused to take a stand against the regulatory onslaught of this administration with legislation like the REINS Act or the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act.  Under his watch some 800 Pennsylvanians have lost their jobs in the coal industry.  If Mr. Critz was serious about protecting Pennsylvania jobs, he would support these measures as the only other choice is the continued destruction of the coal industry under President Obama. The truth is, these coal companies could have all the permits in the world, but it won’t matter when the big-government policies of Washington force them to close their doors.  PA-12 deserves a leader who will take a true stand against this administration, not one that only does so for political gain.”