CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coal producer Massey Energy has won a federal court order temporarily barring surface mining protesters from its southern West Virginia properties.
Massey wants the ban imposed for good. It will seek an extension at a hearing Thursday after winning the temporary order last week.
U.S. District Judge Irene Berger granted the request in conjunction with a lawsuit filed by Massey targeting protesters who've spent the past year invading the Richmond, Va.-based company's mine sites.
The lawsuit names five people involved in a recent tree-sitting protest. Massey also wants at least $75,000 in damages.
The protesters hope to persuade the Obama administration to ban surface mining in the region. They haven't responded yet to Massey's lawsuit.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Science/Environment
February 1, 2010
Judge bars protesters from Massey mines in W.Va.
Click at right to read the order and the opinion
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