On May 1, Walter Energy, Inc. announced its plans to develop a new underground metallurgical coal mine in Tuscaloosa County. When complete, the Blue Creek Energy Project will be the Company’s largest capital outlay for any one project. The project will also include a barge load-out facility in Walker County, a rail spur in Fayette County, and a coal terminal to be located at the Port of Mobile. The Company’s announcement comes on the heels of the Legislature passing and the Governor signing House Bill 144, which expanded Alabama’s existing statutory incentives to the coal mining industry.
“Walter Energy would like to thank Governor Robert Bentley and his team at the Alabama Department of Commerce for their continued support of this very important project,” Walt Scheller, CEO of Walter Energy, said. “We would also like to thank the members of the Alabama legislature, especially House Speaker Mike Hubbard, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, Representative Bill Roberts and Senator Greg Reed, who worked tirelessly to pass House Bill 144, which played a major role in our Board’s decision to move forward with this project.”
We are pleased to have had the privilege of playing a role in the expanded operations of our client, Walter Energy, Inc. We would like to congratulate Walter Energy, Inc. for their continuing commitment to Alabama in growing the state’s economy and job base.