Wyoming sides with Arch, Peabody in coal joint venture case

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — The state of Wyoming is siding with two major coal companies as U.S. regulators try to block their efforts to merge operations in the nation’s top coal-producing region.

Arch Resources and Peabody Energy, both based in St. Louis, have five mines in northeastern Wyoming.

Deputy Attorney General James Kaste filed  “friend-of-the court” documents Tuesday in federal court in St. Louis. He said the benefits of the regional merger would outweigh any anti-competitive effects.

The companies say it would save them $120 million a year.

Federal Trade Commission officials say it could stifle competition and increase coal prices.

Source: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune

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