UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM 8-K
____________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 29, 2015
ALPHA NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
001-32331
 
42-1638663
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Alpha Place, P.O. Box 16429,
Bristol, VA 24209
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (276) 619-4410
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
____________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
q    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
q    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
q    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
q    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 8.01.
Other Events.
 
On May 29, 2015, Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. issued a press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.            Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)           Exhibits

Exhibit No.
Description
99.1*
Press Release, dated May 29, 2015.

*Filed herewith.






















SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
May 29, 2015
 
By:
 
 /s/  William L. Phillips III
 
 
 
 
Name: William L. Phillips III
Title: Assistant Secretary




Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1*


Press Release, dated May 29, 2015.

*Filed herewith.



Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alpha Natural Resources Exploring Options to Rectify
Flawed Self-Bonding Notice in Wyoming

BRISTOL, VA, May 29, 2015 - Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: ANR) and its operating affiliate, Alpha Coal West, Inc., have been notified by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality’s Land Quality Division (LQD) that the LQD believes the companies “no longer qualify under the self-bonding program” in the State. Alpha disagrees with LQD’s assessment, continues to believe it has fully complied with the regulations, and is currently reviewing all options to reverse or rectify this flawed judgment by the LQD.

In each annual self-bond renewal process, Alpha has determined its compliance status by consistently following a methodology prescribed by state regulations, and it has shared these calculations with the LQD as a part of each renewal application. The LQD has never previously commented on Alpha’s calculation methodology. At the request of the LQD, Alpha also recently provided supplemental fiscal information to the division for its review. However, despite repeated attempts to gain clarity from the LQD regarding any changes the division has made in interpreting these regulations, numerous questions remain unanswered that Alpha believes should have been addressed prior to any determination being made. According to the LQD’s notification, Alpha now has 90 days to provide substitute bonding.

“Alpha and its affiliates take very seriously our obligation to operate in an environmentally responsible and fiscally sound manner,” said Philip Cavatoni, Alpha’s Chief Financial and Strategy Officer. “We also appreciate the firm but fair approach with which the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has managed its self-bonding program in the past, which is why the limited transparency in this current process is concerning.”

“While we wait for further clarification from the LQD regarding its review methodology and process, we are investigating a range of options to address this new determination,” Cavatoni added.

Alpha estimates that self-bonding by coal companies currently operating in Wyoming totals approximately $2 billion, of which Alpha’s share is just over $400 million. According to the Wyoming Mining Association, Wyoming is home to 9 of the top 10 producing mines in the nation and coal production provides the State’s second largest source of tax revenue for state and local governments (estimated at over $1.1 billion in 2013 alone).

  
About Alpha Natural Resources
Alpha Natural Resources is one of the largest and most regionally diversified coal suppliers in the United States. With affiliate mining operations in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Wyoming, Alpha supplies metallurgical coal to the steel industry and thermal coal to generate power to customers on five continents.  Alpha is committed to being a leader in mine safety with our Running Right safety process, and an environmental steward in the communities where its affiliates operate. For more information, visit Alpha’s website (www.alphanr.com).

Media Contact
Steve Hawkins                                     
276-285-2037
shawkins@alphanr.com
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