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Bob Murray
Former CEO; Murray Energy Corporation
Coal industry executive whose mines had among worst safety records; lobbied to gut mine safety regulations
Overview
Robert E. Murray was the founder and CEO of Murray Energy Corporation; the largest privately owned coal company in America. His mines had among the worst safety records in the industry. The Crandall Canyon Mine collapse in Utah on August 6, 2007 killed six miners and three rescue workers; MSHA investigators found the disaster was caused by the company's dangerous mining practices. Murray repeatedly and publicly claimed the collapse was caused by an earthquake; a claim contradicted by seismological evidence. Murray was one of the largest donors to Republican candidates and personally delivered a policy wish list ("Action Plan") to the Trump administration within days of the inauguration; nearly every item on the list was subsequently implemented by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler; who was previously a lobbyist for Murray Energy. Murray Energy filed for bankruptcy in 2019; Murray died on October 25, 2020.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Crandall Canyon Mine collapse (August 6, 2007) killed six miners and three rescue workers; Murray publicly blamed an earthquake; seismological evidence showed it was caused by a coal burst from dangerous pillar mining
Delivered a four-page "Action Plan" to the Trump administration within weeks of inauguration; nearly every regulatory rollback on the list was subsequently implemented
Andrew Wheeler; whom Murray Energy had paid as a lobbyist; was appointed EPA Administrator and implemented policies from Murray's wish list
Murray Energy mines had hundreds of safety citations; Murray personally fought against stricter mine safety regulations
Filed SLAPP lawsuit against John Oliver after Last Week Tonight episode about mine safety; case dismissed
Murray Energy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2019; workers lost pension and healthcare benefits
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Andrew Wheeler
Former Murray Energy lobbyist who became EPA Administrator; implemented Murray's regulatory wish list
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- January 27, 1940
- Birthplace
- Ohio, USA
Education
- •Ohio University; B.S. Mining Engineering
Key Timeline
January 27, 1940
Born in Ohio
1988
Founded Murray Energy Corporation
August 6, 2007
Crandall Canyon Mine collapses in Utah; six miners and three rescue workers killed
January 2017
Delivered four-page regulatory rollback wish list to Trump administration
2018
Sued John Oliver for segment criticizing mine safety record; case dismissed
October 2019
Murray Energy files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
October 25, 2020
Robert Murray dies