Murray Energy Corp. announced in a release that it intends to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) to "combat the EPA’s illegal promulgation of senseless and destructive regulations, with absolutely no regard for their job and family destruction."

The press release goes on to say, "the Clean Air Act, as passed by Congress and signed into law, clearly requires the Obama EPA to consider job losses in its issuance of regulations, and it has never complied with the law."

In its official notice, Murray Energy has demanded that the EPA immediately comply with the Clean Air Act and evaluate the job losses caused by its "disastrous regulations." "Indeed, over the past several years, the Obama EPA has promulgated a series of rules and regulations seeking to eliminate the United States coal industry, and the very good jobs and low cost electricity that it provides. Indeed, the lives and livelihoods of entire families in many regions of America are being destroyed. Further, there will be virtually no environmental benefit from these radical EPA regulations," Murray Energy said its press release.

As reason for the lawsuit, Murray Energy said it is "fighting to protect these workers, who only want to earn a living in honor and dignity. The company (Murray Energy) also seeks to protect low cost electricity for all Americans, including those on fixed incomes and for American manufacturers of products which must compete in the global marketplace."

“Unfortunately, we had no choice but to file this notice and lawsuit,” said Gary M. Broadbent, Assistant General Counsel and Media Director for Murray Energy.

Murray Energy advised that there will be further litigation resulting from the Obama EPA’s destructive and illegal actions, but declined to discuss them yet. “This is just the first of several actions that we have undertaken to protect the livelihoods of coal miners and their families and to preserve low cost electricity in our country,” said Broadbent.

“The illegal actions of the Obama EPA are a very human issue to the management and ownership of Murray Energy,” said Broadbent. Murray Energy is one of the largest employers in the U.S. coal industry, providing more than 7,100 jobs and operating 13 active coal mines in six states.