Reading & Northern execs help relay Ukrainian anthracite concerns to Sen. Toomey

Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad Co. (RBMN) President Wayne Michel and Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales Dan Gilchrist recently joined anthracite industry representatives to discuss issues with U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

The state's anthracite producers are concerned that Russia now is positioned to capitalize on its invasion into eastern Ukraine by flooding the U.S. market with cheap anthracite produced from coal mines in the region. Eastern Ukraine is a major international source for anthracite and coal produced in the nation competes directly with Pennsylvania anthracite used by steel mills and other companies in the Southeast.

"As the railroad that serves the Pennsylvania anthracite region, Reading & Northern stands with its customers in protecting this important Pennsylvania industry," RBMN officials said in a press release.

The meeting attendees also discussed regulatory issues as President Barack Obama's administration proceeds with what the attendees characterize as anti-coal policies and proposals.

The largest privately owned railroad in Pennsylvania, RBMN operates about 320 miles of track in the eastern part of the state.