Consol Energy

recently targeted by _, tho not biggest

The Union of Concerned Scientists recently compiled a <a data-beacon="//www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/fight-misinformation/climate-accountability-scorecard-ranking-major-fossil-fuel-companies#.V_faxPkrI5c" href="http://www.ucsusa.org/global-warming/fight-misinformation/climate-accountability-scorecard-ranking-major-fossil-fuel-companies#.V_faxPkrI5c" target="_hplink" style="text-decoration: none; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(241, 96, 44); outline: none;">scorecard</a> to help answer these questions. In its new analysis, UCS rated the business practices of the top eight U.S. investor-owned fossil fuel companies on Heede’s list that are U.S.-based or have a North American affiliate. In order of emissions magnitude, they are:<ol style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><li>Chevron</li><li>ExxonMobil</li><li>BP</li><li>Royal Dutch Shell</li><li>ConocoPhillips</li><li>Peabody Energy</li><li>Consol Energy</li><li>Arch Coal</li></ol>summit
<a href="http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/06/12845/Jeb-Bush-Speaking-at-Secret-Coal-Industry-Retreat">http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/06/12845/Jeb-Bush-Speaking-at-Secret-Coal-Industry-Retreat</a>

Jeb

Bush is the highest profile speaker at a secretive three-day retreat in

Bristol, Virginia, hosted by the CEOs of six coal companies,

according to materials for the invitation-only event obtained by the

Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) and shared with the Guardian.

The

event, dubbed the "Coal & Investment Leadership Forum," which

started Sunday and goes through Tuesday, is taking place at an

exclusive private golf course and resort called the "Olde Farm," owned

by the founder of United Coal Company, Jim McGlothlin. The private

country club is known for its annual golf tournament in which players

take sides in the Civil War for the South or the Union and which is

described by McGlothlin as "our most cherished tradition."

In

addition to United Coal, the forum is being hosted by the CEOs of five

other coal companies: Alliance Resource Partners, Alpha Natural

Resources, Consol Energy, Drummond Company, and Arch Coal.

Bush is the only candidate expected to run for the 2016 presidential election speaking at the event.

The

materials don't say what Bush will be speaking about, but in a room of

coal industry executives and potential major Bush campaign funders,

climate change and proposed cuts in carbon emissions are sure to

dominate the conversation.

The purpose of the event was outlined

in a letter from the coal hosts to invitees: "Our industry needs to keep

a loud voice with top representatives of our government."

Having

long bemoaned of a "war on coal," facing massive losses in share value,

and the likely closure of many coal plants under the Clean Power Plan,

the coal industry must be looking to Jeb Bush as a potential ally.
==

<h1 class="title">spent big on lobby<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000025108&year=2011"> http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000025108&year=2011</a></h1>

Despite CONSOL citing global market conditions, the area’s freshman Republican representative wasted no time in pinning the blame on President Obama.

“President Obama, his Administration, and his allies — like MoveOn.org and the Sierra Club — are all very clear about their agenda — make using coal history,” [Rep. Morgan] Griffith said. “Today’s news is just the latest demonstration that this agenda is making gains. … I believe the administrative branch of the federal government and its leaders are arbitrarily and capriciously targeting this profession.”

</blockquote>

Griffith received <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2012&cid=N00032029&type=I">three times more in campaign contributions from the mining industry</a> than from any other source, though obviously one would have to be pretty cynical to suggest he’s motivated by crass politics.

<h1 class="title">Rick Santorum's Big Coal Buddies</h1>

</div>

<h3 class="dek">The "local" company Santorum brags about helping was a coal mining giant that gave him tens of thousands of dollars during and after his time in Congress.</h3>

—By <a href="http://motherjones.com/authors/kate-sheppard">Kate Sheppard</a> and <a href="http://motherjones.com/authors/adam-serwer">Adam Serwer</a>

</div>

<div class="node-master-image">2012 Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum Zhang Jun/Xinhua/ZUMA Press</div>

Rick Santorum likes to brag about how he helped a poor local company fight big, bad government regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. "My grandfather was a coal miner," Santorum said at a debate in New Hampshire this week. "So I contacted a local coal company from my area. I said, look, I want to join you in that fight. I want to work together with you."

But Consol Energy, the company for which Santorum was a "consultant," wasn't some bare-bones local outfit—it's one of the largest coal mining companies in the United States, and its <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ag.dtr07IeOo&refer=germany">largest shareholder</a> is the German utility RWE. And Santorum wasn't doing volunteer work: He was paid quite handsomely for his services, to the tune of $142,500 from 2010 to August 2011. He only ended his role with Consol when he launched his presidential bid last spring.

Santorum's relationship with the coal company began long before his consulting gig; Santorum and Consol had a mutually profitable association during Santorum's tenure in the Senate, too. <a target="_blank" href="http://influenceexplorer.com/politician/rick-santorum-r/f99f7d244bbf4325b31312f75643f8da">Consol donated</a> more than $73,800 to Santorum during his time as a legislator while simultaneously spending more than $1 million lobbying Congress on pollution limits, mine reclamation, worker health benefits, and tax policy, according to lobbying disclosure forms filed with the US Senate Office of Public Records.

In the most recent congressional debate over a climate bill—the one for which Santorum "volunteered" his services—Consol spent $10.24 million on lobbying, a major increase over its lobbying expenditures in previous years. Much of that money was spent to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pri.org/stories/science/energy/coal-lobbies-cap-and-trade1709.html">defeat legislation</a> to cap greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gas regulation wasn't the only area where Santorum's legislative agenda mirrored Consol's top lobbying priorities. In 2006, Santorum authored a provision for a tax bill that would have created a tax credit for "synfuel," which included coal bed methane, as <a target="blank" href="https://motherjones.com/files/greenwiresynfuel.pdf">Greenwire reported</a> at the time. Synthfuel is made by drilling into coal seams to extract methane, a form of natural gas, and Consol is a <a target="blank" href="http://www.consolenergy.com/Powering/CoalbedMethane.aspx">"leading producer"</a> of the product.

Another priority for Consol was passing the 2005 Energy Policy Act, a bill criticized for its numerous handouts to the coal, oil, and gas industries. Santorum <a target="blank" href="http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00213">voted for the bill</a> and was an <a target="blank" href="http://static.votesmart.org/public-statement/110715/senator-santorum-comments-on-senate-passage-of-energy-bill">enthusiastic supporter</a>. He was particularly fond of the millions of dollars the bill allotted for so-called "clean coal" technology—another major priority for Consol's lobbyists.

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Consol also lobbied the Senate on the Environmental Protection Agency's mercury emission standards during Santorum's time in Congress. In 2003, the Bush administration released new Clean Air Act rules that failed to adequately cut toxic emissions from coal-fired power plants and other major industrial sources (a court threw out the rules for having too many loopholes). When the Senate tried to pass a resolution blocking the faulty rules from taking effect, Santorum <a target="_blank" href="http://www.votesmart.org/bill/votes/7766">sided with the administration</a> and with Consol. During his time in the Senate, Santorum also lobbied Bush's EPA to ease rules for sulfur dioxide—the emission that causes acid rain—for plants that burn waste coal.

"He certainly racked up one of the most anti-environmental records in Congress in his time there," says Navin Nayak, the senior vice president for campaigns at the League of Conservation Voters. Nayak's group scores lawmakers annually on their voting record, and Santorum earned a lifetime score of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/past-scorecards/pdf/scorecard-2006.pdf">just 10 percent</a>—among the lowest in the Senate. "He was consistently on the side of polluters."

It's not entirely clear what Santorum did during his tenure as a Consol consultant, which started in 2007 after he was defeated for reelection. A spokesperson for the company <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/us/politics/after-senate-santorums-beneficiaries-became-benefactors.html?pagewanted=all">told the New York Times</a> he was hired "to provide strategic counsel on a variety of public policy-related issues." Although he was never registered as a lobbyist, former legislators can still be adept at maximizing their clients' influence without actually having to officially register as lobbyists under the law.

"The definition [of lobbyist] was designed to give a reasonable enough definition so that people who lobby would have to register," says Bill Allison, Editorial Director at the Sunlight Foundation. "What happens is canny operators like Newt Gingrich and like Rick Santorum are able to avoid the lines drawn that would force you to register…Obviously these folks are trying to influence the federal government."

His legislative experience is exactly why the company says it approached him about a consulting gig. "Given his long and well-documented efforts aimed at providing American consumers with affordable energy, CONSOL Energy engaged Senator Santorum to provide strategic counsel on a variety of public policy-related issues," Consol spokeswoman Lynn Seay told Mother Jones in an email. She did not elaborate explain which specific issues the former senator focused on.

Santorum's connections to Consol were profitable for his former aides as well. Former Santorum staffers Tommy Johnson and Kevin Roy also went on to become lobbyists for Consol after their boss lost his Senate seat. Johnson was an in-house lobbyist at the company and Roy worked on Consol's behalf at Ikon Public Affairs, a lobby shop <a target="_blank" href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000025108&year=2009">that Consol paid</a> $40,000 to promote its interests in Washington in 2009.

Santorum, whose description of Consol during the New Hampshire debate made it sound like a corner store owned by your grandparents, clearly saw his primary role at Consol Energy as influencing the legislative process. "I engaged in that battle," he said Saturday. "And I'm very proud to have engaged in that battle."

</div>

----

SW

CONSOL Energy is a Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania-based coal and gas company.

CONSOL is one of the biggest producers of coal in the U.S., with the majority of mines located in West Virginia. (Detailed information about its coal production can be found below at the CONSOL Coal Production section.) It is also involved in the controversial practice of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fracking" title="Fracking">fracking</a> for methane gas in the Northeastern U.S. in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Marcellus_Shale" title="Marcellus Shale">Marcellus Shale</a> region.

<h2>Contents</h2>

[<a href="javascript:toggleToc()" class="internal" id="togglelink">hide</a>]</div>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Executive_Summary">1 Executive Summary</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Noble_Energy_Buys_50.25_Stake_in_Consol.27s_Marcellus_Shale_Venture">1.1 Noble Energy Buys 50% Stake in Consol's Marcellus Shale Venture</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Methane_Gas_Drilling_.28Fracking.29">2 Methane Gas Drilling (Fracking)</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Partisan_Political_Activity">3 Partisan Political Activity</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Corporate_Political_Action_Committee">3.1 Corporate Political Action Committee</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Political_Donations_by_Company_Execs">3.2 Political Donations by Company Execs</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Lobbying">3.3 Lobbying</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Front_Groups">4 Front Groups</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Violations_of_Safety_Rules_or_Other_Laws">5 Violations of Safety Rules or Other Laws</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Health_and_Safety_Violations_Alleged_or_Proven">5.1 Health and Safety Violations Alleged or Proven</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Lawsuits">5.2 Lawsuits</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Revenue_and_Profits">6 Revenue and Profits</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Coal_exports">7 Coal exports</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Executives_and_Annual_Compensation">8 Executives and Annual Compensation</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Executives">9 Executives</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#CONSOL_Coal_Mines">10 CONSOL Coal Mines</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#CONSOL_cuts_back_on_coal_production">10.1 CONSOL cuts back on coal production</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#2011:_Increase_in_coal_production">10.2 2011: Increase in coal production</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Longwall_mining">10.3 Longwall mining</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Mountaintop_removal_mining">10.4 Mountaintop removal mining</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Proposed_coal_mines">11 Proposed coal mines</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Coal_legal_and_regulatory_issues">12 Coal legal and regulatory issues</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#2011:Consol_to_pay_over.24200_million_in_Clean_Water_violations">12.1 2011: Consol to pay over $200 million in Clean Water violations</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Water_pollution_at_Blacksville_Mine">12.1.1 Water pollution at Blacksville Mine</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-3"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Pennsylvania_sues_Consol_over_discharges">12.1.2 Pennsylvania sues Consol over discharges</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Court_finds_Army_Corps_of_Engineers_violated_Clean_Water_Act_in_MTR_permitting_case">12.2 Court finds Army Corps of Engineers violated Clean Water Act in MTR permitting case</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Water_conductivity_violation_settlement">12.3 Water conductivity violation settlement</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Citizen_action_on_CONSOL">13 Citizen action on CONSOL</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#March_26.2C_2009:_DC_Rising_Tide_disrupts_CTL_conference_in_Washington.2C_DC">13.1 March 26, 2009: DC Rising Tide disrupts CTL conference in Washington, DC</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Controversies">14 Controversies</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Coal_Plants_Sponsored_by_CONSOL">15 Coal Plants Sponsored by CONSOL</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Industry_affiliations">16 Industry affiliations</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Lobbyists">17 Lobbyists</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Contact_Information">18 Contact Information</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Articles_.26_Sources">19 Articles & Sources</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#Related_SourceWatch_Articles">19.1 Related SourceWatch Articles</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

<li class="toclevel-1"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#References">20 References</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#External_Articles">20.1 External Articles</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#External_Resources">20.2 External Resources</a></li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>Executive Summary</h2>

CONSOL Energy is one of the fastest growing <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fracking" title="Fracking">fracking</a> companies in the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Marcellus_Shale" title="Marcellus Shale">Marcellus Shale</a> region of the U.S. since it began drilling there in 2008. It owns 760,000 acres in the Marcellus area, concentrating on drilling in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

It has been reporting annual revenues of between $3.7 billion and $5.4 billion a year over the past four years. Its CEO has an annual compensation of $12.87 million. CONSOL/CNX and its executives have also been very active in making partisan political donations, predominantly in favor of Republicans. This company, headquartered in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, has invested significant funds in elections in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, states with large shale deposits, and its PAC was a major spender in the election of the new governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett.

CONSOL/CNX has a notorious safety record and has been accused of numerous safety violations, including polluting rivers and spoiling drinking water by contaminating it with methane gas.

<h3>Noble Energy Buys 50% Stake in Consol's Marcellus Shale Venture</h3>

In Aug. 2011, Noble Energy bought a $3.4 billion stake in Consol's Marcellus Shale drilling venture. Reported the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=New_York_Times" title="New York Times">New York Times</a>: "Noble with team up with Consol on its 663,350-acre project in...West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and will pay $2.13 billion to Consol in drilling costs....Noble and Consol plan to quadruple the number of drilling rigs in the Marcellus formation to 16 horizontal rigs by 2015. Nobel will also pay $160 million for Consol's existing wells and $59 million for half of Consol's gathering assets."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-0" title="">[1]</a>

<h2>Methane Gas Drilling (Fracking)</h2>

"CONSOL's Gas Division was formed in the first half of 2010 when it acquired the remaining 16.7% outstanding shares held by outside stockholders of CNX Gas Corporation, a former CONSOL spin-off company, as well as all of the exploration and production business of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dominion_Resources" title="Dominion Resources" class="mw-redirect">Dominion Resources</a> Inc., located in the Appalachian Basin."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-1" title="">[2]</a> In June, 2010, Consol Energy completed its acquisition of CNX Gas shares as part of Consol's plan to expand its fracking business.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-2" title="">[3]</a> CNX is run as the methane gas subsidiary of CONSOL Energy. CNX has over 230,000 acres in the Marcellus Shale area.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-3" title="">[4]</a> On March 15, 2010, CONSOL announced the purchase of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dominion" title="Dominion">Dominion’s</a> Exploration and Production business for $3.475 billion.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a> The sale included 193 employees currently working for Dominion.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a> CONSOL is looking for $4 billion to fund the purchase and further develop the operations. <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bank_of_America" title="Bank of America" class="mw-redirect">Bank of America</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Merrill_Lynch" title="Merrill Lynch">Merrill Lynch</a> and Stifel, Nicolaus & Company were financial advisors for CONSOL, while <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barclays" title="Barclays" class="mw-redirect">Barclays</a> Capital Inc. advised Dominion. Legal counsel for CONSOL came from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Akin_Gump" title="Akin Gump" class="mw-redirect">Akin Gump</a> Strauss Hauer & Field LLP. Baker Botts LLP served as Dominion’s legal adviser.

Though lauded as an environmentally-friendly alternative to coal, fracking for gas has been linked to depleting drinking water resources of local communities and polluting the wells of the people living around drill sites. According to a 2010 article in Vanity Fair, "as use of the technique (fracking) has spread, it has been followed by incidents of water contamination and environmental degradation, and even devastating health problems." <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-6" title="">[7]</a> And according to data released to the EPA, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Halliburton" title="Halliburton" class="mw-redirect">Halliburton</a>, a major supplier of fracking fluid, admitted using 807,000 gallons of diesel-based chemicals in its fluids, in violation of an agreement drillers had with the EPA.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-7" title="">[8]</a>

<table class="infobox vcard" style="width: 22em; text-align: left; line-height: 1.5em;" cellspacing="5"><caption class="fn org" style="font-weight: bold;">CONSOL Energy</caption><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="logo" style=" text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=File:Consol-Energy-Logo.jpg" class="image" title="Image:Consol-Energy-Logo.jpg"><img src="/5fb89f8e-4c3f-561e-884a-61d840deb228.jpg"/></a></td></tr><tr class=""><th style=" text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Types_of_companies" class="extiw" title="w:Category:Types of companies">Type</a></th><td class="note">Methane gas drilling and coal</td></tr><tr class=""><th style=" text-align: left;">Founded</th><td class="">1864</td></tr><tr class=""><th style=" text-align: left;">Headquarters</th><td class="label">Canonsburg, Pennsylvania</td></tr><tr class=""><th style=" text-align: left;">Number of locations</th><td class="">Pittsburgh, PA; Baltimore, MD; Monessen, PA; Paoli, PA</td></tr><tr class=""><th style=" text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenue" class="extiw" title="w:Revenue">Revenue</a></th><td class="">$5.24 billion</td></tr></tbody></table>

<h2>Partisan Political Activity</h2>

Although CONSOL Energy has donated to campaigns on both sides of the aisle since it began drilling in the Marcellus Shale area in 2008, the majority of its political donations has gone to pro-fracking Republicans. 2010 was the biggest year in gas and oil political contributions by corporations hoping to encourage lawmakers to continue with the lax restrictions surrounding methane gas drilling. Nowhere is this seen more than in Pennsylvania, where the majority of the Macellus Shale area lies.

According to Common Cause of Pennsylvania's May 2010 report, "Deep Drilling, Deep Pockets," CONSOL doled out $270,800 in campaign contributions from Jan. 1, 2001 through Mar. 2010.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-8" title="">[9]</a> .

During the 2010 elections, CONSOL's political action committee and employees together gave $340,435.31 to political candidates. $46,000 of that money went to Governor Tom Corbett - a known ally of fracking companies in Pennsylvania who supported a no-tax stance for methane drilling corporations - while $36,800 went to Democratic candidate Dan Onorato.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-9" title="">[10]</a>

"Senate candidate Joe Scarnati, (R-Brockway, PA), had his ticket, plane ride and hotel bill paid for by Consol Energy Inc., according to Mr. Scarnati's top aide. Scarnati and other top Senate Republicans were frequently singled out by former Gov. Ed Rendell and environmental advocates for blocking an extraction tax on shale drilling."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-10" title="">[11]</a>

CONSOL also, along with other big Marcellus Shale players like <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Range_Resources" title="Range Resources">Range Resources</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Cabot_Oil_and_Gas" title="Cabot Oil and Gas">Cabot Oil and Gas</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Chesapeake_Energy" title="Chesapeake Energy">Chesapeake Energy</a>, each paid $25,000-$50,000 for Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett's two-day inaugural party.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-11" title="">[12]</a>

<h3>Corporate Political Action Committee</h3>

The CONSOL PAC raised $373,710 and spent $282,324 in 2010. The top three House candidates who benefited from CONSOL's PAC where: Jason Altmire (D-PA) received $7,000; Rick Boucher (D-VA) received $7,000; Tim Murphy (R-PA) received $7,000. Altmire is on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Boucher, who was defeated in 2011, was on the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. Murphy is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is was named Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on the Environment and Economy.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-12" title="">[13]</a>

The top three Senate candidates were: Arlen Specter (D-PA) received $8,000; Pat Toomey (R-PA) received $10,000; James Webb (D-VA) received $5,000. Specter, who was defeated in 2011 by Pat Toomey, served on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development,Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health among others. Webb is on the Joint Economic Committee.

The 2008 election year was another big year in CONSOL PAC donations. The PAC raised $50,057 and $136,993 was given to candidates and other PACs. House candidate Mike Doyle (D-PA) received $6,000. Charlie Wilson (D-OH) received $4,000. Doyle, from Pittsburgh, serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Energy and Power Subcommittee. Wilson, who lost his bid in 2010, served on the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises.

Senate candidate Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) received $5,000 and Mark Warner (D-VA) received $3,000. Chambliss serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry among others. Warner has a big interest in energy and bringing more energy jobs to Virginia.

<h3>Political Donations by Company Execs</h3>

Board members and senior management have donated large amounts of money to CONSOL & CNX Energy PAC and candidates. State records show that CONSOL Energy employees have donated $62,202 to candidates and the company's PAC.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-13" title="">[14]</a>

Here is a breakdown of company executives and the money they have donated:

<ul>

<li>J. Brett Harvey - CEO, President and Chairman - $1.23 million (biggest donations were to John McCain and Sarah Palin, the Republican National Committee and the National Mining Association's PAC)</li>

<li>William Lyons - Executive Vice President and CFO of the CONSOL and CNX Gas - $33,149</li>

<li>P. Jerome Richey - Secretary, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer of Company and CNX - $20,117</li>

<li>Robert and Karie King - Executive Vice President of Business Advancements, Support Services of CONSOL and CNX - $17,548</li>

<li>Nicholas Deiuliis - Director, President and COO of CNX Gas and Executive Vice President and COO of CONSOL - $12,212</li>

</ul>

<a href="http://www.marcellusmoney.org/company/cnx-consol" class="external text" title="http://www.marcellusmoney.org/company/cnx-consol" rel="nofollow">Marcellus Money</a> shows that CONSOL Energy and CNX have given $340,435.31 to Pennsylvania politicians since 2001.

<h3>Lobbying</h3>

<a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?lname=CONSOL+Energy&year=2010" class="external text" title="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?lname=CONSOL+Energy&year=2010" rel="nofollow">Open Secrets</a> reported that CONSOL spent $3.1 million on lobbying in 2010, and $870,000 in 2011, as of July. Tommy Johnson is the principle lobbyist for CONSOL.

In 2010, CONSOL lobbied against the proposed House and Senate climate change bills, which did not pass, and against a provision in the financial reform bill that compels publicly traded coal companies to report safety violations issued by the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mine_Safety_and_Health_Administration" title="Mine Safety and Health Administration">Mine Safety and Health Administration</a> in their quarterly filings with the SEC, which did pass.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-14" title="">[15]</a>

CNX also uses Stanley Rapp with Greenlee Partners, who also represents Range Resources-Appalachia.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-15" title="">[16]</a>

<h2>Front Groups</h2>

Consul Energy is a supporter of several special interest groups that push for expanded drilling rights and limited or no regulation of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Fracking" title="Fracking">fracking</a>.

Consol is involved in the following front groups, who donate to pro-fracking candidates and lobbyists: <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Marcellus_Shale_Coalition" title="Marcellus Shale Coalition">Marcellus Shale Coalition</a>,<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-16" title="">[17]</a> Energy In Depth,<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-17" title="">[18]</a> Nicholas DeIuliis of CNX is on the Board of Directors for the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA),<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-18" title="">[19]</a> Gary Slagel, a Chairman for CNX Gas is on the Executive Committee for The Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association (PIOGA),<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-19" title="">[20]</a> Gary Slagel and VP of Legal Kevin West are both on the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-20" title="">[21]</a> and the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-21" title="">[22]</a>

<h2>Violations of Safety Rules or Other Laws</h2>

<h3>Health and Safety Violations Alleged or Proven</h3>

Consol has paid $29,428,489 in coal mining fines between 2000 - 2009. 20,899 violations and 23 deaths have also taken place in CONSOL mines since 2000, tying its fatality record with that of <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Massey_Energy" title="Massey Energy">Massey Energy</a>.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-22" title="">[23]</a>

2011: Consol Energy was cited for a violation by the Mine Safety and Health Administration that contributed to the death of a West Virginia coal miner in 2010. The MSHA report stated "Consol failed to adequately support a section of a rock wall that fell on miner Jesse Adkins at its Loveridge No. 22 mine July 29. The accident occurred while Consol was mining outside the coal seam through an area of solid rock. Consol didn't install bolts to strengthen rock walls in the area. Adkins, 39, was pinned between a piece of heavy equipment and a 23-foot-long, 4-foot wide chunk of rock at the Marion County mine."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-23" title="">[24]</a> MSHA hasn't assessed a fine for the violation yet.

2010: In September, several thousand fish washed up along the banks of Dunkard Creek in Monongalia County, West Virginia. "Environmental officials in Pennsylvania and at the federal Environmental Protection Agency say mining discharges from Consol Energy’s Blacksville No. 2 mine created the conditions for the algae to bloom."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-24" title="">[25]</a>

In fracking violations, the <a href="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/oilgas/OGInspectionsViolations/OGInspviol.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/oilgas/OGInspectionsViolations/OGInspviol.htm" rel="nofollow">Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Web site</a> shows that CONSOL/CNX Energy has 9 violations since 2008. Many were health and environmental safety violations. Here is a list of the most frequent ones: "Polluting waters by allowing discharge into waters of the Commonwealth"; "Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of waters"; "Potential for polluting substances reaching waters".

2010: "The Environmental Protection Agency fined CNX $157,500 for violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act stemming from improper use and faulty reporting at an underground injection well in Greene County facility for fracking fluids in Greene County. Consol uses the well to dispose of wastewater from its methane well drilling operations. CNX also accepted at least 100 truckloads of wastewater with total dissolved solids levels “significantly higher” than its federal permit allowed. The move also requires CNX to close down that disposal well."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-25" title="">[26]</a><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-26" title="">[27]</a>

<h3>Lawsuits</h3>

2010: "Legal claims were filed in June in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia on behalf of two landowners by attorneys seeking class action status to represent thousands of property holders in six southwest counties." <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-27" title="">[28]</a> <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=EQT" title="EQT">EQT</a> Corp. and Consol Energy are being sued for allegedly drilling thousands of wells in southwest Virginia's coalbed to remove methane gas without obtaining legal claim to the resource from the landowners, contending the mineral rights were held by the coal companies. "An attorney for the landowners estimated the companies realized billions of dollars from southwest Virginia drilling while the escrow account totals about $26 million from 800 individual accounts. In Buchanan County alone one year, Consol's gas subsidiary, CNX Gas Co., realized $1 billion in revenues from natural gas drilling."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-28" title="">[29]</a> Landowners are asking for billions in back royalty payments.

April: "A CXG investor filed a lawsuit in Delaware State Court on behalf of current investors in CNX Gas Corporation who purchased their CXG shares before March 21, 2010 over an alleged breach of their fiduciary duties by CONSOL Energy, Inc. According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that CONSOL Energy, as the controlling shareholder of CNX Gas Corp, seeks to take over the remaining outstanding CXG shares through an unfair process and for an unfair price."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-29" title="">[30]</a>

November: A Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania family filed a lawsuit against Consol Energy for underpayment of methane gas royalties. They are seeking class-action status, which could include more than 1,000 plaintiffs. "The plaintiffs said they entered into separate lease agreements with the company under which they would receive royalties based on the amount of gas collected each month from their land. The company is accused of breaching the leases by taking "volumetric deductions" and calculating royalties using a price that was less than the price paid to the companies."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-30" title="">[31]</a> The family leased oil and gas rights to <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dominion" title="Dominion">Dominion</a> Exploration & Production Inc. for property in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Consol acquired Dominion's rights to the lease in 2010.

<h2>Revenue and Profits</h2>

2010<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-31" title="">[32]</a>

Revenue: $5.36 billion

Gross Profit: $1.69 billion

2009<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-32" title="">[33]</a>

Revenue: $4.62 billion

Gross Profit: $1.56 billion

2008<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-33" title="">[34]</a>

Revenue: $4.65 billion

Gross Profit: $1.4 billion

2007<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-34" title="">[35]</a>

Revenue: $3.76 billion

Gross Profit: $955 million

2006<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-35" title="">[36]</a>

Revenue: $3.7 billion

Gross Profit: $1.05 billion

<h2>Coal exports</h2>

In September 2011 Consol Energy Inc. stated that its coal exports will rise more than their previous estimates for 2011. The company said exports could range between 10 million and 10.5 million for 2011.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-36" title="">[37]</a>

<h2>Executives and Annual Compensation</h2>

<ul>

<li>CEO, President and Chairman J. Brett Harvey: $12.87 million<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-37" title="">[38]</a></li>

<li>COO and Executive Vice President Nicholas J. DeIuliis, J.D.: $1.4 million</li>

<li>Executive Vice President of Business Advancements, Support Services of CONSOL and CNX Robert P. King: $1.5 million</li>

<li>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the CONSOL and CNX Gas William J. Lyons: $5.6 million<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-38" title="">[39]</a></li>

<li>Secretary, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer of Company and CNX P. Jerome Richey: $1.7 million</li>

</ul>

<h2>Executives</h2>

<ul>

<li>J. Brett Harvey: CEO, President and Chairman - <a href="http://people.forbes.com:80/profile/j-brett-harvey/3005" class="external text" title="http://people.forbes.com:80/profile/j-brett-harvey/3005" rel="nofollow">Forbes</a> says that Harvey has been the "Director of CNX Gas since June 30, 2005, the date of its formation, and has served as Chairman of the Board and CEO since January 16, 2009. He has also served as President, CEO and a Director of CONSOL Energy since January 1998. Harvey is a member of the board of directors of the Bituminous Coal Operators Association and a member of the executive committee and the board of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=American_Coalition_for_Clean_Coal_Electricity" title="American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity">American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity</a>. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Mining_Association" title="National Mining Association">National Mining Association</a>. In December 2005, he was elected to the board of directors of Barrick Gold Corporation, the world's largest gold producer. He serves on the Barrick compensation and environmental, health and safety committees. In December of 2007, Harvey was also elected to the board of directors of Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, a specialty metals producer, and serves on its nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.</li>

<li>

</li><li>Nicholas J. Deluliis: COO and Executive Vice President - "DeIuliis was a Director, President and CEO of CNX Gas Corporation from June 30, 2005 to January 16, 2009, when he became President and COO of CNX Gas and Executive Vice President and COO of CONSOL Energy. From November 2004 until August 2005 he was the Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning of CONSOL Energy. Prior to that, DeIuliis served as Vice President of Strategic Planning from April 2002 until November 2004. On May 28, 2010, pursuant to the documents effecting the Merger, the directors of the company were removed and replaced with a new board of directors, consisting of Nicholas J. DeIuliis, the Company's President and COO.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-39" title="">[40]</a></li>

<li>Robert P. King: Executive Vice President of Business Advancements, Support Services of CONSOL and CNX - "King became Executive Vice President of Business Advancement and Support Services of CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Corporation on January 16, 2009. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of Administration since February 2, 2007 and he served as Vice President of Land from August 2006 to February 2007. Prior to joining CONSOL Energy, King was Vice President of Interwest Mining Company (a subsidiary of PacifiCorp).<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-40" title="">[41]</a></li>

<li>William J. Lyons: Executive Vice President and CFO of the CONSOL and CNX Gas - "Lyons has been Chief Financial Officer of CONSOL Energy since February 2001 and Chief Financial Officer of CNX Gas Corporation since April 28, 2008. He added the title of Executive Vice President of CONSOL Energy on May 2, 2005 and of CNX Gas Corporation on January 16, 2009. From January 1995 until February 2001, Lyons held the position of Vice President of Controller for CONSOL Energy. Lyons joined CONSOL Energy in 1976. He was a Director of CNX Gas Corporation from October 17, 2005 to January 16, 2009. Lyons is also a director of Calgon Carbon Corporation, a supplier of products and services for purifying water and air.</li>

<li>P. Jerome Richey: Secretary, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal Officer of Company and CNX - "Richey became Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer of CONSOL Energy and CNX Gas Corporation on January 16, 2009. He was Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CONSOL Energy since March 2005, and on June 20, 2007, he added the title of Senior Vice President. Prior to joining CONSOL Energy, Richey, for more than five years, was a shareholder in the Pittsburgh office for the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-41" title="">[42]</a></li>

</ul>

In March 2009, William Bruno, a retired 30-year veteran of CONSOL energy, released his book, <a href="http://www.thekingrat.com/bio.html" class="external text" title="http://www.thekingrat.com/bio.html" rel="nofollow">"The King Rat and His Court: Lessons in Corporate Greed</a>.

<h2>CONSOL Coal Mines</h2>

By year-end 2010, CONSOL had coal reserves of 4.4 billion tons, sold 63.9 million tons, and dug up 62.4 million tons. Half is used for electricity, and 94% is underground mines.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-42" title="">[43]</a> In 2010, 2.5 million of the coal CONSOL mined was from strip mining.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-43" title="">[44]</a> As of 2011, CONSOL operates 11 active mining complexes across five states:<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-44" title="">[45]</a>

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=AMVEST-Fola_Complex" title="AMVEST-Fola Complex">AMVEST-Fola Complex</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=AMVEST-Terry_Eagle" title="AMVEST-Terry Eagle">AMVEST-Terry Eagle</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Bailey_Mine" title="Bailey Mine">Bailey Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Buchanan_Mine_1" title="Buchanan Mine 1">Buchanan Mine 1</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Emery_Mine" title="Emery Mine">Emery Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Enlow_Fork_Mine" title="Enlow Fork Mine">Enlow Fork Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Harrison_Resources" title="Harrison Resources">Harrison Resources</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Loveridge_22_Mine" title="Loveridge 22 Mine">Loveridge 22 Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=McElroy_Mine" title="McElroy Mine">McElroy Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Miller_Creek_Complex" title="Miller Creek Complex">Miller Creek Complex</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robinson_Run_95_Mine" title="Robinson Run 95 Mine">Robinson Run 95 Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Shoemaker_Mine" title="Shoemaker Mine">Shoemaker Mine</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Southern_West_Virginia_Resources" title="Southern West Virginia Resources">Southern West Virginia Resources</a></li>

</ul>

Click on the locations shown on the map for mine details:

<h3>CONSOL cuts back on coal production</h3>

In March 2009, CONSOL placed its Mine 84 in Washington on what it terms "long term idle" status, laying off about 275 employees. The company also reduced the hours worked at its Buchanan mine in northern West Virginia and has lowered a 2009 production target to 3.1 million tons for the mine, about three-fourths of its total capacity, as the demand and pricing for coal collapsed in the last quarter of 2008 during the economic downturn.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-pitt-45" title="">[46]</a> CONSOL lowered its expected production levels for 2009 to 58 million tons.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-46" title="">[47]</a>

On October 1, 2010, Consol said it will close its Pennsylvania <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mine_84" title="Mine 84">Mine 84</a> and idle its Utah <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Emery_Mine" title="Emery Mine">Emery Mine</a> by December 2010 because of the operating costs. The moves come as Consol has been diversifying away from coal, acquiring the 17% of CNX Gas it didn't already own in June 2010, and earlier buying <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dominion_Resources" title="Dominion Resources" class="mw-redirect">Dominion Resources</a>' <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Natural_gas" title="Natural gas" class="mw-redirect">natural gas</a> business. Pearce Hammond, director of institutional research with Simmons & Co. International, said there's no need for excess coal in the market, especially when prices for the thermal coal used in power plants are under pressure.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-47" title="">[48]</a>

<h3>2011: Increase in coal production</h3>

In April 2011, CONSOL Energy said production at its Coal Division had reached 17.2 million tons for the quarter, the highest since 2008. The company expected its 2011 coal production to be about 60-62 million tons.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-48" title="">[49]</a>

<h3>Longwall mining</h3>

Consol Energy is the largest producer of underground coal mining in the United States. The company's 17 mines are mostly <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Longwall_mining" title="Longwall mining">longwall mining</a> operations in <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Appalachia" title="Appalachia">Appalachia</a>.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-49" title="">[50]</a>

<h3>Mountaintop removal mining</h3>

Consol mined 2.5 million tons of coal from mountaintop removal in 2010. Over 30% of its Central Appalachian coal is mined from mountaintop removal.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-50" title="">[51]</a>

<h2>Proposed coal mines</h2>

<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Spring_Branch_3_Mine" title="Spring Branch 3 Mine">Spring Branch 3 Mine</a> is a proposed surface coal mine by CONSOL Energy for Mingo County, West Virginia.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-51" title="">[52]</a> In February 2011, CONSOL Energy reached a deal with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Clean_Water_Act" title="Clean Water Act">Clean Water Act</a> Section 404 permit covering the company’s proposed mine.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-kwj-52" title="">[53]</a>

<h2>Coal legal and regulatory issues</h2>

<h3>2011: Consol to pay over $200 million in Clean Water violations</h3>

In December 2009, CONSOL announced it was idling two mines in West Virginia - the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=AMVEST-Terry_Eagle" title="AMVEST-Terry Eagle">Little Eagle Coal Co. mine</a> and the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=AMVEST-Fola_Complex" title="AMVEST-Fola Complex">Fola Coal Co. mine</a>. In a lawsuit brought by the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ohio_Valley_Environmental_Coalition" title="Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition">Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition</a> (OVEC), a federal judge suspended CONSOL's Clean Water Act permit for part of the operations. Without these operations, CONSOL said it was unable to meet the requirements of its coal sales contracts.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-53" title="">[54]</a> On December 28, 2009, U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers changed his ruling to allow CONSOL to continue mining at the sites while the legal dispute over the company's fill permits continued..<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-54" title="">[55]</a>

On March 14, 2011, Consol Energy announced it will spend $200 million on a treatment system for wastewater from three West Virginia coal mines, and pay the state and federal governments a total of $6 million to settle hundreds of alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. The federal fines, which will be split between the EPA and the state, totaled $5.5 million. Consol also agreed to pay the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources $500,000 for the damage to Dunkard Creek, a Monongahela River tributary that runs for 43 miles along the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-ttl-55" title="">[56]</a>

Though it denies its operations were responsible for the fish kill, Consol stopped discharging wastewater from its <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a> after a September 2009 bloom of toxic golden algae killed countless fish, mussels, salamanders and other aquatic life. Investigators concluded that pollutants called total dissolved solids created conditions that helped that algae bloom flourish, choking off oxygen to the aquatic creatures. Although high levels of TDS have not been labeled a threat to human health, they can affect the taste and smell and drinking water.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-ttl-55" title="">[56]</a>

EPA Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin said Consol's new network of pipelines and the reverse osmosis treatment plant it is building near Mannington will keep nearly 100 million pounds of TDS, including salts, out of the watershed each year. The system will treat water from the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a>, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Loveridge_22_Mine" title="Loveridge 22 Mine">Loveridge 22 Mine</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Robinson_Run_95_Mine" title="Robinson Run 95 Mine">Robinson Run 95 Mine</a>, and improve the overall health of rivers and streams. Consol's treatment plant must be online by May 2013 under the agreement. When finished, the plant should be able to treat 3,500 gallons of mine water per minute, eliminating an anticipated 95 percent of the pollutants. Consol is also planning to build a similar $100 million treatment facility for its <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Buchanan_Mine_1" title="Buchanan Mine 1">Buchanan Mine 1</a> in Virginia.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-ttl-55" title="">[56]</a>

The settlement covers alleged violations at six Consol operations over the past four years. The government cited chronic problems with chloride discharges into the Monongahela watershed from the Blacksville, Loveridge, Robinson Run and Four States mines, and into the Ohio River from the Shoemaker and Windsor mines.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-ttl-55" title="">[56]</a>

<h4>Water pollution at Blacksville Mine</h4>

In September 2010, several thousand fish washed up along the banks of Dunkard Creek in Monongalia County, West Virginia. "Environmental officials in Pennsylvania and at the federal Environmental Protection Agency say mining discharges from Consol Energy’s <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a> created the conditions for the algae to bloom."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-56" title="">[57]</a>

<h4>Pennsylvania sues Consol over discharges</h4>

On September 7, 2011, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission filed a complaint against <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Consol_Energy" title="Consol Energy" class="mw-redirect">Consol Energy</a> over discharges from two coal mines in West Virginia - <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a> and <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Loveridge_22_Mine" title="Loveridge 22 Mine">Loveridge 22 Mine</a> - saying the discharges killed thousands of fish, mussels, salamanders, and other wildlife along a 30-mile stretch of the tributary, Dunkard Creek, in 2009. The commission is seeking compensatory damages for lost aquatic life and angling opportunities as well as punitive damages to deter future pollution.

Dead fish began surfacing on Sept. 8, 2009, after illegally high levels of total dissolved solids and chlorides turned Dunkard Creek brackish and fostered a toxic golden algae bloom that is more common to southern coastal waters. About 42,997 fish representing 40 species, from black bass to muskellunge, were killed along with 15,382 freshwater mussels, including the rare snuffbox variety, and 6,447 mudpuppies, the complaint states. People who lived along the creek recounted watching fish bleed to death from their gills and mussel shells pop open. Because so many adult fish were killed, it will take years for aquatic populations to recover, according to the claim.

In March 2011, the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state of West Virginia reached a $5.5 million settlement with Consol that covered violations at six of the company’s mines, including those relating to the fish kill in Dunkard Creek. Although most of the damage occurred in Pennsylvania’s portion of Dunkard, the state was not party to the federal suit because Consol’s discharge permits were issued in West Virginia.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-57" title="">[58]</a>

<h3>Court finds Army Corps of Engineers violated Clean Water Act in MTR permitting case</h3>

On November 24, 2009, U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated federal environmental laws by issuing permits for two <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Mountaintop_removal" title="Mountaintop removal">mountaintop removal</a> coal mines in West Virginia without allowing sufficient public involvement. Chambers found that the Corps violated the Clean Water Act and National Environmental Policy Act when it issued permits for CONSOL's Ike Fork mines and Penn Virginia's Nellis mine. Chambers ordered the Corps to rectify the problem with the permits, while also allowing "limited" mining to continue at the sites for 60 days. The case may have implications for other surface mines already permitted and in operation. According to Oliver Bernstein of the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sierra_Club" title="Sierra Club">Sierra Club</a>, "Most of the pending permits in West Virginia may need to go back through the public process."<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-58" title="">[59]</a>

<h3>Water conductivity violation settlement</h3>

In November 2011, Fola Coal parent company CONSOL Energy signed on to a legal settlement agreeing to clean up conductivity pollution associated with a valley fill at the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=AMVEST-Fola_Complex" title="AMVEST-Fola Complex">Fola Surface Mine No. 3</a> in Clay and Nicholas counties, West Virginia. The settlement, which requires approval from U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver, resolves a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy in October 2010. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Quality Board have cited conductivity increases downstream from mining operations as a key problem the state Department of Environmental Protection isn't doing enough about. Under the settlement, CONSOL will first be able to try its own version of a stream restoration project, involving creation of floodplain and sulfate-reducing wetlands, to clean up about 3,000 feet of Boardtree Branch. Biological samples will be taken after the project and an independent biologist will decide if aquatic life has improved. If the CONSOL project doesn't work, the company must build a more expensive treatment system at the site, the settlement says. The agreement also requires Fola to pay $200,000 to the West Virginia Land Trust to help fund the West Virginia University College of Law's new Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic. The company must also pay a $25,000 fine to the federal government.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-59" title="">[60]</a>

<h2>Citizen action on CONSOL</h2>

<h3>March 26, 2009: DC Rising Tide disrupts CTL conference in Washington, DC</h3>

Activists with DC Rising Tide interrupted an industry conference to denounce coal-to-liquids technologies. The protesters stood in the audience and gave loud speeches refuting the statements of executives from <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Chevron" title="Chevron">Chevron</a>, CONSOL Energy, <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=World_Coal_Institute" title="World Coal Institute" class="mw-redirect">World Coal Institute</a>, and World Petroleum Council. Displaying banners including "Coal kills" and "Renewable energy now," the activists called for an end to fossil fuels and for adoption of clean, renewable energy sources.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-60" title="">[61]</a>

<h2>Controversies</h2>

On March 19, 2009, William Bruno, a retired 30-year veteran of CONSOL energy,<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-61" title="">[62]</a> released a book entitled, <a href="http://www.thekingrat.com/bio.html" class="external text" title="http://www.thekingrat.com/bio.html" rel="nofollow">"The King Rat and His Court: Lessons in Corporate Greed."</a>

Consol Energy provided the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Rifle_Association" title="National Rifle Association">National Rifle Association</a> access to its <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Blacksville_2_Mine" title="Blacksville 2 Mine">Blacksville 2 Mine</a> in West Virginia to film a television advertisement with an anti-<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Barack_Obama" title="Barack Obama">Barack Obama</a> message.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-62" title="">[63]</a> The National Rifle Association intended to ask miners the question "How do you feel about having your Second Amendment rights taken away if Obama becomes president?" Word spread among pro-Obama miners who contacted their union, the <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=United_Mine_Workers_of_America&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="United Mine Workers of America (page does not exist)">United Mine Workers of America</a>, resulting in 440 miners taking the day off in a contract-sanctioned protest, and halted production at CONSOL's Blacksville 2 coal mine.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-63" title="">[64]</a>

<h2>Coal Plants Sponsored by CONSOL</h2>

Cancelled

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Benwood_Project" title="Benwood Project">Benwood Project</a> (West Virginia)</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=First_Energy/Consol_IGCC" title="First Energy/Consol IGCC">First Energy/Consol IGCC</a> (Ohio)</li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=FutureGen" title="FutureGen">FutureGen</a> (Illinois]</li>

</ul>

<h2>Industry affiliations</h2>

The CONSOL Coal Group is a member of the:

<ul>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=National_Mining_Association" title="National Mining Association">National Mining Association</a><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-64" title="">[65]</a></li>

<li><a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S.Chamber_of_Commerce" title="U.S. Chamber of Commerce">U.S. Chamber of Commerce</a>; <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Nicholas_J.DeIuliis" title="Nicholas J. DeIuliis">Nicholas J. DeIuliis</a>, the President of CONSOL Energy, is a member of the Board of Directors.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-65" title="">[66]</a></li>

</ul>

<h2>Lobbyists</h2>

An ABC News report noted that 2012 Presidential candidate <a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Rick_Santorum" title="Rick Santorum">Rick Santorum</a> was a lobbyist for Consol.<a href="http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=CONSOL_Energy#cite_note-66" title="">[67]</a>

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