Irving, Texas-based Luminant, an energy business specializing in power development, generation, marketing, trading, and mining, operations, has announced that Luminant will completely cease operations at their Liberty Mine and lay off additional workers at their Martin Lake Beckville Mine and the Martin Lake Railroad.
Approximately 160-170 employees will be laid off on December 26, 2021.
According to a company statement, "As Luminant has planned for some time, the Liberty Mine that provided lignite to the Martin Lake Power Plant since 2014 will be closing by the end of 2021. The estimated 160-170 employees impacted were informed earlier this year. Luminant deeply thanks and appreciates the men and women who’ve worked at Liberty and their dedication to powering Texas."
"The Liberty Mine closure was a part of the company's long term fuel plan and the Martin Lake power plant will now operate on coal from the Powder River Basin which spans parts Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota."
Part of the decision was environmental as coal-fired power plants struggles to meet environmental regulations, and part economic as the company was losing market share to more efficient gas-power plants.
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?