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Robert E. Murray

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Thivierr (talk | contribs) at 12:29, 8 December 2019 (→Political activity: We already use word "alleging" earlier, and made clear who's saying it. "supposedly" sounds dismissive). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other people named Robert Murray or Bob Murray, see Robert Murray.
Robert E. Murray
Born (1940-01-13) January 13, 1940 (age 84)
Alma materOhio State University
OccupationBusiness executive
SpouseBrenda Lou Moore
Children3

Robert E. Murray (born January 13, 1940) is an American mining engineer and businessman. He founded and was the chief executive officer of Murray Energy, a mining corporation based in St. Clairsville, Ohio until it filed for bankruptcy.[1] Murray has received attention for his denial of climate change,[2] his actions following the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse, consistent support of the Republican Party, and regularly filing lawsuits against media coverage he finds unflattering.[3][4][5]

Early life

Murray was born in 1940. Murray claims to have lied about his age so he could work in a coal mine at the age of 16 and provide for his family.[6] He alleges he experienced multiple mining accidents including a head injury involving a large beam.[6] Murray says he has one scar running from his head down his back from a separate accident and at one time was trapped in a dark mine for 12 hours before being rescued.[6]

Murray was the valedictorian of the Bethesda High School class of 1957.[7] Murray received a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining from Ohio State University. Thereafter, he attended a six-week management program at Harvard Business School.[8]

Career

Murray began his mining career at the North American Coal Corporation. He served in a variety of capacities at NACC, winning election to vice president of operations in 1969. From 1974 to 1983, Murray was president of NACC's Western Division and presided over four of its subsidiaries in North Dakota. In 1974, a strike took place at the Indian Head Mine in Zap, which North American was attempting to close.[9] In 1983, he became president and CEO of North American.

Murray is a member of the boards of directors of the National Mining Association, American Coal Foundation, National Coal Council, Ohio Coal Association, and Pennsylvania Coal Association. He is a trustee and former president of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc., and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc., as well as past president of The Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute.[10].

Murray Energy

Murray started his company in 1988 with the purchase of a single continuous mining operation with an annual output of 1 million tons per year. Murray Energy Corporation's strategy involves acquiring high sulfur coal reserves and aiming to be the low-cost producer in primary coal-sourcing regions of the United States. This strategy was based on Murray's belief that the transportation of low-sulfur coal thousands of miles from the Powder River Basin to meet the growing demand for electricity in some parts of the country was not a viable long-term solution.[citation needed] Murray also claimed to be inspired to open the mine when a squirrel told him, "Bob Murray, you should be operating your very own mines."[11] At the helm of Murray Energy, he began accumulating reserves that were strategically located near customers, near favorable transportation, and high in energy content (BTU per pound).

Murray told the White House in a letter dated August 4, 2017 that without an emergency order to restart coal-fired electrical generating plants, his company and a major customer, power plant operator FirstEnergy Solutions would declare bankruptcy.[12]

Murray Energy Holdings, Co. filed bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on October 29, 2019 as case number 19-56885.[13] Murray was replaced as CEO the same day, although he remains chairman of the board of the new entity, Murray NewCo, while his nephew Robert D. Moore will be president and CEO.[14][15][16] Employees expressed concern about losing their pensions and/or medical benefits. Murray is the last major coal contributor to the United Mine Workers of America's pension plan.[17]

Crandall Canyon Mine collapse

Main article: Crandall Canyon Mine

In August 2007, six miners were trapped at the Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah, of which Murray Energy independent operating subsidiary UtahAmerican Energy had been a part-owner for 12 months. Prior to the collapse, the Crandall Canyon Mine had received 64 violations and $12,000 in fines.[18][19][20]

Murray himself claims that the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse was triggered by a natural 3.9 magnitude earthquake,[21] and that the practice of retreat mining was not responsible.[22] Responding to reports of retreat mining, Murray said "I wish you would take the word retreat mining out of your vocabulary. Those were words invented by Davitt McAteer, Oppegard, who are lackies for the United Mine Workers, and officials at the United Mine Workers, who would like to organize this coal mine."[23]

However, expert seismologists and government officials dispute this claim, stating that the mine collapse was the cause of a coal mine bump[21] caused by the mine's use of retreat mining.[22] Richard E. Stickler, the government's top mine safety official, said "It was not—and I repeat, it was not—a natural occurring earthquake,"[24] and Douglas S. Dreger, a seismologist at the University of California, Berkeley, said in the July 2008 issue of Science that his analysis strongly suggested that the mountain crumbled in two stages: After the pillars collapsed, giant, angled slabs of sandstone above the mine abruptly shifted. When the mine collapse finally occurred, it was so powerful that it registered as a 3.9 earthquake.[25]

On July 24, 2008, the U.S. government's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced its highest penalty for coal mine safety violations, $1.85 million, for the collapse. The government fined Genwal Resources $1.34 million "for violations that directly contributed to the deaths of six miners last year," plus nearly $300,000 for other violations. The government also levied a $220,000 fine against a mining consultant, Agapito Associates, "for faulty analysis of the mine's design."[24]

Robert Murray was heavily criticized for his actions during the rescue attempt. The MSHA cited his volatile behavior, especially at daily briefings for family members. MSHA reported that he "frequently became very irate and would start yelling," even making young children cry. He told family members that "the media is telling you lies" and "the union is your enemy."[25]

Political activity

From 2005 to 2007, the Murray Energy PAC donated over $150,000 to Republican candidates, including donations totaling $30,000 to Senate candidates such as George Allen, Sam Brownback, and Katherine Harris.[26] Donations to Republicans surpassed $1 million from 2005 to 2018.[27] The Ohio Valley Coal PAC, another group affiliated with Murray Energy, donated $10,000 for George W. Bush's 2000 Presidential campaign.[26]

In addition to serving on the board of directors of the National Mining Association, Murray actively lobbies for pro-industry legislation through his company's political action committee. In 2001, he testified on behalf of the NMA before a House Ways and Means subcommittee in favor of proposed tax cuts.[citation needed]

In the wake of 2006's Sago Mine disaster, lawmakers in West Virginia and Ohio proposed legislation requiring mine workers to wear emergency tracking devices. Murray lobbied against the laws, calling them "extremely misguided."[20] He said that politicians were rushing to pass laws and thus "playing politics with the safety of my employees." Murray said that rather than create "knee-jerk" state laws after the disaster, such as in the case of West Virginia, which passed the law in less than one day after it was proposed, the federal government should host a panel which would study the industry and make recommendations for safety measures.[28]

Murray claimed that the federal government should be involved for uniform standards and because tension between unions and companies created difficulty in reaching private agreement on safety standards. Murray maintained that the personal tracking devices to be mandated in the state laws, called PEDs, did not work under certain common mining conditions (such as below 600 feet (180 m) in depth), and better devices needed to be developed in order to effectively guard miners in case of accident. He said, "The will is there. Unfortunately, the technology isn't."[28]

Murray has stated that he supported federal mandates for drug testing and fire prevention.[28]

On August 14, 2012, Murray hosted Mitt Romney at Murray Energy's Century coal mine in Beallsville, Ohio. Several miners contacted a nearby morning talk radio host, David Blomquist to complain that they were forced to attend the rally without pay. Murray chief operating officer Robert Moore said: "Attendance was mandatory but no one was forced to attend the event." Murray closed the mine the day of the rally and suspended pay to workers, arguing that the rally was important to the coal industry and that attending was in the workers' "best interest." Murray and his corporation were a major donor to Romney and other Republicans, and employees report frequent instances of political pressure from management.[29]

In October 2012, the non-profit group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission against Murray and his company alleging violations of federal campaign law in which employees of Murray Energy were required to give one percent of their salary to the company's political action committee.[30]

On November 9, 2012, three days following the presidential election, Murray laid off 156 workers, citing a supposed "war on coal" by the Obama administration as the reason for his decision.[31]

During the 2016 American presidential election, Murray Energy donated over $300,000 towards candidate Donald Trump's inaguration. A memo from Robert Murray itemized a list of 16 energy actions he desired, including giving subsidies to nuclear and coal plants, reducing mine safety regulations, and reducing environmental oversight. The memo was given to Vice President Mike Pence, a similar memo was given to Department of Energy head Rick Perry, and Murray said he gave the memo to Donald Trump.[32][33]

Murray has continued to actively lobby on energy matters at both the state and national levels.[34]

Lawsuits

Journalists and the press

Murray has filed over a dozen defamation lawsuits against journalists and newspapers, none of which reached judgment in his favor.[35] As an example of the repeated lawsuits against journalists, Robert Murray and Murray Energy filed a lawsuit on August 27, 2012, against environment reporter Ken Ward Jr. and the Charleston Gazette.[36][37]

Last Week Tonight

In June 2017, Murray Energy issued a cease and desist letter to the television show Last Week Tonight following the show's attempt to obtain comment about the coal industry.[38] The show went ahead with the episode (June 18),[39] in which host John Oliver discussed the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse and expressed the opinion that Murray did not do enough to protect his miners' safety. Three days later, Murray and his companies brought suit against Oliver, the show's writers, HBO, and Time Warner.[40] The lawsuit alleged that, in the Last Week Tonight show, Oliver "incited viewers to do harm to Mr. Murray and his companies."[41][42] The ACLU filed an amicus brief in support of HBO in the case; the brief has been described as "hilarious," and the "snarkiest legal brief ever."[43] The brief also included a comparison of Murray with the fictional character Dr. Evil that was used in the Oliver show, with the explanation that "it should be remembered that truth is an absolute defense to a claim of defamation."[44]

On August 11, 2017 a federal district court judge ruled that Murray Energy suits against the New York Times and HBO could each proceed in a lower state court.[45] The suit against HBO was dismissed with prejudice on February 21, 2018.[46]

In November 2019, John Oliver discussed the implications of the lawsuit on his show after Murray dropped the suit.[5] Oliver noted that Murray was able to incur little risk to himself by filing his lawsuit in West Virginia, a jurisdiction that did not have any anti-SLAPP legislation and despite neither Oliver nor Murray living there.[4][5] HBO was forced to cover $200,000 in legal fees, which smaller media outlets would not be able to absorb, discouraging negative coverage of Murray.[3] Murray's reputation for litigiousness may have deterred other media outlets from covering him, including sexual harassment charges against him.[5][3]

Workplace harassment

In 2019, two lawsuits were filed against Murray for sexual harassment and misconduct against his employees.[47] In one of the corroborated claims, Murray asked a female assistant to search for the kidney stone he passed.[3][5] Murray denied the allegations.[3]

Global warming

In June 2007, Murray told the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works that "the science of global warming is suspect." He also wrote in a May 2007 MarketWatch editorial: "The actual environmental risk associated with carbon emissions is highly speculative."[20]

In a 2007 speech to the New York Coal Trade Association, Murray called Al Gore "the shaman of global gloom and doom" and added "he is more dangerous than his global warming."[48]

Murray is a particular opponent of proposed global warming legislation in Congress, saying:

We produce a product that is essential to the standard of living of every American because our coal produces 52% of the energy in America today, and it is the lowest cost energy, costing 1/3 to 1/4 the cost of energy from natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy resources. And without coal to manufacture electricity our products will not compete in the global marketplace against foreign countries because our manufacturers depend on coal, low cost electricity and people on fixed incomes will not be able to pay their electric bills. Every one of those global warming bills that have been introduced into Congress today eliminates the coal industry and will increase your electric rates, four to five fold.[49]

Following the presidential election in November 2016, Murray pressed for Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from all international agreements on climate change and stated "so-called global warming is a total hoax."[50] These claims were made in spite of near-universal agreement in the scientific community that climate change is a real, progressing, and primarily human-caused phenomenon.[51]

Personal life

Murray resides in Moreland Hills, Ohio with his wife, Brenda Lou Moore. They have three children.[18][52]

Murray has stated that he suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis,[53] a scarring of the lung tissue leading to shortness of breath.

Philanthropy

In 2009, Murray Energy donated $20,000 to support the development of a state-of-the-art mine training facility at West Virginia University [54] and $10,000 to support the construction of a similar facility at Southeastern Illinois College.[55] Murray also made a personal gift of $1 million to the West Virginia University Research Trust Fund—the largest single donation in the fund's history—and the university established the Robert E. Murray Chairmanship of Mining Engineering in his honor.[56]

In 2018, Murray donated over 1.2 million USD to a project to construct a new building at the East Richland Christian School.[57] The 28,000 square foot centre is planned to house a gymnasium, kitchen, and classrooms for use by the school, local church, and wider community.[57]

References

  1. ^ Murray, Bob (2016). "A Message from our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer". Murray Energy Corporation. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  2. ^ LAVELLE, MARIANNE (October 11, 2017). "Coal Boss Takes Climate Change Denial to the Extreme". InsideClimate News. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e Martinelli, Marissa (November 11, 2019). "John Oliver Taunts Coal Baron Enraged by Giant Talking Squirrel With Giant Singing Squirrels". Slate Magazine. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Adrian Horton (November 11, 2019). "John Oliver takes on muzzling lawsuits – and the man who sued his show". The Guardian. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e SLAPP Suits: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO). LastWeekTonight. Retrieved November 10, 2019 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b c "Utah mine disaster yields frenetic frontman". Trib Live. Associated Press. August 9, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2007.
  7. ^ Loth, Tim (December 21, 2014). "Coal baron Robert Murray is still fired up". Seattlle Times. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  8. ^ "Executive Profile Robert Edward Murray". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  9. ^ Donovan, Lauren (August 2007). "Utah mine owner operated in North Dakota mines". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  10. ^ Murray Energy Corporation Web site
  11. ^ "Promises Made, Promises Broken Exposing the Real Robert Murray". United Mine Workers Journal. 112 (4). July–August 2001.
  12. ^ Egan, Matt (August 22, 2017). "Trump rejects cry for help from coal execs". CNN Money. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bankruptcy of Energy Holdings Co". BankruptcyObserver.com. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  14. ^ Sprouse, William (October 29, 2019). "Murray Energy Files for Chapter 11". CFO. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  15. ^ "Murray Energy Holdings Co. Enters Into Restructuring Support Agreement With Members of Ad Hoc Lender Group and Files Chapter 11 to Access $350 Million in New Money DIP Financing". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  16. ^ "Murray Energy, WV's largest coal producer, seeks bankruptcy protection". Charleston Gazette-Mail. October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  17. ^ Matt Egan (November 1, 2019). "'Nervous and scared.' Coal workers fear for pensions after Murray Energy bankruptcy". CNN Business.
  18. ^ a b Gehrke, Robert (August 8, 2007). "Murray's meltdown: Angry, rambling briefing draws rebukes". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved on August 14, 2007.
  19. ^ "Murray's Illinois mine has 2,787 violations since 2005" Archived October 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved on August 10, 2007.
  20. ^ a b c Goldman, Russell (August 8, 2007). "Mine Owner Faces Old Foes After Collapse". ABC News. Retrieved on August 10, 2007.
  21. ^ a b "Owner of Utah mine is a famously combative figure[permanent dead link‍]. Boston Herald. Retrieved on August 10, 2007
  22. ^ a b Arrillaga, Pauline (August 9, 2007). "Utah mine owner candid, combative". The Seattle Times. Retrieved on August 10, 2007.
  23. ^ "Utah Mine Owner Defends Safety Process". NPR.org. August 9, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2019. "Number one, I wish you would take the word retreat mining out of your vocabulary. Those were words invented by Davitt McAteer, Oppegard, who are lackies for the United Mine Workers, and officials at the United Mine Workers, who would like to organize this coal mine. McAteer is a former head of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Oppegard is Tony Oppegard. He used to work as Kentucky's top mine safety prosecutor. He now represents coal miners in safety cases. He and McAteer are both respected miner advocates with decades of experience.
  24. ^ a b "Feds blame mine operator for fatal collapse". CNN. July 24, 2008.
  25. ^ a b Year after mine collapse, many failures clear, Associated Press, August 6, 2008, Retrieved August 6, 2008
  26. ^ a b "Mine Collapse: Spotlight On Murray Energy" (August 8, 2007). CBS News. Retrieved on August 10, 2007.
  27. ^ "Murray Energy Summary | OpenSecrets". www.opensecrets.org. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  28. ^ a b c Bennett, David (January 30, 2007). "Mining for answers; Politician, coal industry leader seek separate safety solutions in response to West Virginia tragedies."[dead link‍]. Crain's Cleveland Business. Retrieved on August 14, 2007.
  29. ^ Banerjee, Neela (August 29, 2012). "Ohio miners say they were forced to attend Romney rally". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  30. ^ Sheppard, Kate (October 9, 2012). "CREW Files FEC Complaint Over Coal Company's Coerced Campaign Donations". Mother Jones. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  31. ^ Steven Mufson (November 9, 2012). "After Obama reelection, Murray Energy CEO reads prayer, announces layoffs". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  32. ^ "Murray Energy GOP Donations 2016". Open Secrets. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  33. ^ Friedman, Lisa (January 10, 2018). "How a Coal Baron's Wish List Became President Trump's To-Do List". nytimes.com. Retrieved November 12, 2019. The memo was written by Robert E. Murray, a longtime Trump supporter who donated $300,000 to the president's inauguration. In it, Murray, the head of Murray Energy, presented Trump with a wish list of environmental rollbacks just weeks after the inauguration.
  34. ^ Gearino, Dan (October 29, 2019). "Coal Giant Murray Energy Files for Bankruptcy Despite Trump's Support". InsideClimate News. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  35. ^ Jonathan Peters (May 28, 2014). "A coal magnate's latest lawsuit was tossed—but Ohio can do more to defend free expression". Columbia Journalism Review.
  36. ^ "Murray Energy vs. WV Gazette". Scribd.com. October 30, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  37. ^ SLAPP Suits: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
  38. ^ Melissa Locker (June 18, 2017). "John Oliver and a Giant Squirrel Picked a Fight with the Coal Industry on Last Week Tonight". TIME.
  39. ^ Oliver, John (June 18, 2017). "Coal: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) ". Last Week Tonight, YouTube.
  40. ^ Woodruff, Betsy (June 21, 2017). "Republican Coal King Sues HBO Over John Oliver's Show". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  41. ^ Puente, Maria (June 22, 2017). "Murray Energy sues John Oliver, HBO over coal-industry story". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  42. ^ Egan, Matt (June 22, 2017). "John Oliver sued by coal CEO claiming 'character assassination'". cnn.com. CNNMoney. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  43. ^ WEISS, DEBRA CASSENS (August 3, 2017). "Snarky, profane ACLU brief supports John Oliver against coal company CEO". ABA Journal. American Bar Association. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  44. ^ The Marshall County Coal Company, The Marion County Coal Company, The Harrison County Coal Company, The Ohio County Coal Company, Murray Energy Corporation, And Robert E. Murray, Plaintiffs, V. John Oliver, Charles Wilson, Partially Important Productions, LLC, Home Box Office, Inc., Time Warner Inc., And Does 1through 10 (United States District Court for the Northern District Of West Virginia January 8, 2017), Text.
  45. ^ John Siciliano (August 11, 2017). "John Oliver, HBO lose court round to coal exec Bob Murray in defamation case". Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 11, 2017.
  46. ^ Leonard French (February 23, 2018). "Murray Energy lawsuit against John Oliver DISMISSED". Lawful Masses. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  47. ^ Perkins, Dennis (November 11, 2019). "John Oliver gloriously demonstrates why rich assholes really shouldn't sue John Oliver". AV Club. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  48. ^ "Heated defense of mining not odd for owner Murray". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved on August 10, 2007.
  49. ^ "Founder of Mine Company Slams Press For Misleading Reporting. Webloggin. Retrieved on August 14, 2007.
  50. ^ Loh, Tim (November 10, 2016). "Trump May 'Dig' Coal, But Industry's Outlook Is Flat at Best". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  51. ^ https://climate.nasa.gov/causes/ Accessed Nov 2019
  52. ^ Tizon, Thomas Alex (August 9, 2007). "Mine's part-owner sings praises of the work as he reports on collapse that has trapped six". The Detroit News. Retrieved on August 10, 2007. [dead link‍]
  53. ^ Woodruff, Betsy (June 22, 2017). "Republican Coal King Sues HBO Over John Oliver's Show". Daily Beast. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  54. ^ October 21, 2009; WVU dedicates new coal mining simulator; SNL Energy Daily Coal Report. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  55. ^ September 11, 2009; Local mine donates to training operation; Harrisburg daily Register. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  56. ^ October 2009; Robert E. Murray Chairmanship in Mining Engineering established at WVU; Coal News. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  57. ^ a b Hanson, Shelley (July 29, 2018). "December finish expected for new Ickes Family Life Center". timesleaderonline.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
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