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CASPER, Wyo. – The state of Wyoming is siding with two major coal companies as U.S. regulators try to block their efforts to merge operations in the nation’s top coal-producing region.
Arch Resources and Peabody Energy, both based in St. Louis, have five mines in northeastern Wyoming.
Deputy Attorney General James Kaste filed “friend-of-the-court” documents Tuesday in federal court in St. Louis. He said the benefits of the regional merger would outweigh any anti-competitive effects. The companies say it would save them $120 million a year.
Federal Trade Commission officials say it could stifle competition and increase coal prices.
