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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Alpha Natural Resources is seeking thousands of documents related to the research of a former West Virginia University professor who blames mountaintop coal mining for increased health risks.
The Virginia-based energy company is arguing before the West Virginia Supreme Court to get access to the research of Michael Hendryx.
The Charleston Gazette (http://bit.ly/1DYQgJF ) reports that Hendryx has published a long list of papers that blames mountaintop mining for increased risk of birth defects, cancer and a number of other illnesses among coalfield residents.
Christopher Power is an attorney for an Alpha subsidiary. He argues that university officials have "stiff-armed" the company and its request.
Alpha was among the coal companies that launched a program based at Virginia Tech to fund research questioning the mountaintop removal health studies.
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