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SALT LAKE CITY — This week marked the five-year anniversary of the major collapse of the Crandall Canyon mine, and there has been talk of Murray Energy reopening the mine.
But, while Murray isn't commenting too much on whether the mine will reopen or not, he isn't completely remaining silent. On Friday, he went on National TV to critique President Obama's energy policies, and he blamed Obama for having to fire workers and shut down one of his mines in Ohio.
"I'm an American first," said Murray. "I'm a coal miner second. I'm not a politician. I'm an engineer. And America had better wake up to what this man is doing."
Though Murray has generally shied from the media spotlight and despite what he said on CNN, the Murray Energy CEO has been very active politically.
Related:
Company may reopen Crandall Canyon Mine
Monday marks the five-year anniversary of the first collapse at the Crandall Canyon mine that killed six miners. A second cave-in claimed the lives of three rescuers.In May, Murray was chosen to introduce Mitt Romney at a fundraiser in West Virginia. And he's reportedly handed the GOP $150,000 this year.
Political scientist, Matt Burbank said that Romney's campaign doesn't expect any long-term, adverse side effects for Romney for his connection to Bob Murray.
Reportedly, if there were any negative affects for Romney, it would happen in Utah because of the Crandall Canyon Mine history. "What they'll try to do of course is to tie Romney to the negative aspects of Mr. Murray's operation," Burbank said. But, he thinks that Utahns know Romney far too well to draw too many parallels.
