Luminant Laying Off East Texas Workers

EAST TEXAS – The state’s largest power generator, Dallas-based Luminant, said it will eliminate 132 jobs in December. The report comes in a release from the Texas Workforce Commision. The layoffs will occur by December 16th at Luminant’s mines in Rusk and Panola counties. The announcement of Luminant’s plans come about a month after the Westmoreland Coal Co. said it will cut about 250 Texas jobs when it closes its Jewett Mine in central Texas. Coal power plants are struggling financially as natural gas and renewable power gain market share. In a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission that was released Monday, Tim Bosecker, Martin Lake mines director wrote, “This has been a very difficult decision, but one that is required to continue to run the business efficiently.”