As Nation’s Largest Coal Company Goes Bankrupt, Hillary Supporter John Gregg Keeps His Head In The Sand

During a recent CNN Democrat Town Hall, Hillary Clinton boasted that if she were elected President, she would “put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.”

Now, Peabody Energy, the nation’s largest coal company, has announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing the effects of Hillary Clinton and the Democrat Party’s war on coal. Democrat gubernatorial candidate and long-time Hillary Clinton supporter John Gregg has a personal connection to Peabody, serving as a land agent for the company and as a government affairs representative for Amax coal. Despite that, Gregg has remained silent while further entrenching his “head in the sand” policy, refusing to stand up for Hoosier coal jobs.

During the 2008 Presidential campaign, John Gregg stood tall with Hillary as her 2008 Indiana Campaign Chairman. Then, Gregg doubled-down on his support of Hillary’s campaign for the White House in 2016, personally maxing out to her in the Democrat primary.

“With nearly 4,000 Hoosiers employed in the coal industry, Indiana voters are again left to wonder who John Gregg stands with: Hillary Clinton or Hoosier coal jobs,” said RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson. “Voters count on their leaders to stand up to Washington’s overreach and job-killing policies, but Gregg has made it clear he will keep his head in the sand on the important issues facing Indiana.”

BACKGROUND: 

Hillary Clinton Boasted That As President, She Will Destroy Coal Jobs. “We’re going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.” (CNN Democrat Town Hall, YouTube, 3/13/2016)

Peabody Energy, Nation’s Largest Coal Company, Filed For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, Citing Costly Regulations. “The nation’s biggest coal company, Peabody Energy (BTU), filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday as the coal industry grapples with the fallout of low natural gas prices, costly regulations and legacy costs.” (Nathan Bomey, “Coal Giant Peabody Energy Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy,” USA Today, 4/13/2016)

Gregg Previously Worked As A Land Agent For Peabody Coal And As A Government Affairs Representative For Amax Coal. “Gregg, who previously worked as a land agent for Peabody Coal and a governmental affairs representative for Amax Coal, spoke of his background in the industry. He recalled Hoosiers from his hometown of Sandborn who worked at mines.” (Chelsea Schneider, “EPA Regs Heat Up Race For Governor,” Evansville Courier & Press, 7/5/15)

Gregg Has Worked As An Attorney For The Coal Companies Peabody And Amax, But Said He Had Not Looked At President Obama’s Proposed Coal Rules Enough To Support Or Oppose Them. “Gregg, an attorney who has worked for two coal companies with Indiana operations, Peabody and Amax, said he hasn’t studied the proposed rules enough to know if he opposes them entirely. But he believes in general that the administration should try to work more closely with the industry. And he said the failure to do so has hurt the Democratic Party in coal mining areas of the country. ‘It has turned the southwest Indiana area from what used to be a Democratic bastion almost into a Republican stronghold,’ he said. ‘If you knock this industry out, it cripples my part of the state.’” (“Gregg Objects To Obama’s Coal Policy,” The Indianapolis Star, 9/7/14)

The Coal Industry Believed Gregg Would Be Sympathetic Because He Was A Former Lobbyist For Amax Coal Co. “The Industry knew Gregg would be sympathetic. He was a former lobbyist for Amax Coal Co.” (Kyle Niederpruem, “Coal Industry Support Runs Deep In Legislature,” The Indianapolis Star, 3/29/93)