Murray Energy

About Murray Energy

Murray Energy, the largest privately owned coal company in the US, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 29, 2019. Founder Bob Murray, a prominent Trump supporter and climate change denier, had lobbied aggressively for coal industry bailouts. Murray Energy had 2.7 billion in debt. The company struggled with declining coal demand and competition from cheap natural gas. Murray was forced to step down as CEO. The bankruptcy eliminated healthcare benefits for 1,200 retirees. Murray died in 2020. The case was particularly noteworthy because Murray had been one of the most vocal advocates for coal industry support. Despite political support from the Trump administration, market forces drove the bankruptcy.