PBS Coals business development director Hank Parke told local newspaper the Daily American that a large coal stockpile meant until the company got other shipments it would do a one-week layoff.

Local television news station WJAC-TV noted the situation may be related to the neighbouring Central City Synfuel, which recently closed its doors. Parke told the station both companies sold product to the plant in the past and were stockpiling their output in the event it reopened. However, federal funding problems prevented that from occurring.