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Hallador Energy Co., a coal company based in Indiana, received $10 million from the loan program meant to help small businesses weather the devastating economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. As thousands of traditional small businesses go without aid since the loan program was quickly overwhelmed, Hallador, and some other large corporations including oil and gas companies and restaurant chains, have taken millions out of the program. The company has over 700 employees, far more than the eligibility cap for small business loans. Hallador Energy's connections to the Trump administration have raised eyebrows. Last year, it hired former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt as a lobbyist, and the former government relations director now works in Trump's energy department.
Over the past few years, the company has been shrinking, impacted by coal's market decline as cheaper energy sources replace it. Despite the Trump administration's promises to revive the coal industry, Hallador had to shut down one of its four mines last year. The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating this trend, as declining demand for coal is combined with decreased energy use throughout the country.
Happy Earth Day!
Started on April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day demonstrated a shift in America's awareness of environmental issues. To celebrate and reflect on the 50th annual Earth Day, we recorded a podcast with Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation. Listen here or read highlights from the conversation on Westwise.
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Challenges bring out the best (hopefully) in most folks. There were huge, million plus people rallies that were planned and now folks have taken those online. It’s exciting! I can’t wait until Earth Day because there are so many artists and entertainers who are going to be a part of helping to bring people together, helping to motivate folks, helping to get people connected in a number of different ways…it’s amazing seeing how quickly people were able to shift or pivot and get these pieces in place. I think that you will see that this is also building bridges between communities and organizations who maybe hadn’t traditionally been as connected.”
