Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 14, 1992 TAG: 9203140225
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Appalachian power companies say they're not stockpiling coal, despite a threat by the United Mine Workers to create "chaos in the coalfields" over health insurance for retired miners.
Coal supplies already are at their highest in five years at power plants, government figures show. An unusually warm winter and reduced power demands have created a coal glut among the power companies.
"We are making no special preparations," said B.J. Smith, spokeswoman for American Electric Power Co.'s coal purchasing section in Lancaster, Ohio. "We feel our stockpiles are adequate to handle any possible work stoppages."
The UMW is upset that an industry-funded health care system for 120,000 retirees and their dependents is virtually out of money, threatening a benefit cutoff as early as April.
A bill to finance health benefits with a tax on all coal companies was pending in the U.S. Senate on Friday. It faced an almost certain presidential veto if it passed.
Union members have threatened widespread retaliation if the retiree health plan fails.
- Associated Press
Va. 12th in nation in high-tech jobs
WASHINGTON - Virginia ranked 12th in the nation in high-tech employment in 1990, according to a Labor Department report.
The study said Virginia had 2.5 percent of all the nation's high-technology jobs in 1990. California was the leader with 14.8 percent.
About 251,000 Virginians, 11 percent of the state's work force of 2.2 million, had high-tech jobs.
The department identified high-tech industries as those marked by high concentrations of research and development personnel.
- Associated Press
Insurance agency files bankruptcy
Keith A. Hall, trading as Hall Insurance Agency of Roanoke, was one of five businesses asking for liquidation in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Roanoke. Hall reported debt of $22,079 and assets of $9,676.
Sharon Waite, trading as Simple Pleasures, a Radford gift shop, listed debt of $145,275 and assets of $79,956.
Joann Smith, trading as the Fabric Center in Dublin, said her debt was $39,687 and her assets were $45,900.
Anthony E. Mitchell, doing business as Mitchell's Truck Repair and Road Service at Draper, listed debt of $20,548 and assets of $13,800.
Trivco Inc., trading as the Lighthouse Restaurant, owned by James R. Trivett of Narrows, reported debt of $16,380 and no assets. - Staff report
by CNB