CUMBERLAND — State lawmakers from far western Maryland are fighting an effort to repeal a tax credit that rewards electric companies for buying Maryland coal.

The Cumberland Times-News reports that Republican Delegate Herb McMillan of Anne Arundel County introduced the bill in the General Assembly session that started Wednesday.

The same bill died in committee last year despite support from Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration.

The tax credit is set to expire in 2021. Repealing it before then would increase state revenues by several million dollars a year.

The Maryland Coal Association says coal mining employs about 600 people directly and 3,000 more in spinoff jobs.

The American Coal Foundation says the direct and indirect effects of coal production pump more than $2 billion a year into Maryland’s economy.

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