8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   February 3, 2006

WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	001-11155	23-1128670
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

14th Floor, 2 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO       80903
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                       (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (719) 442-2600

______________________________________________________
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

        Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.   Other Events

On February 3, 2006, North Central Energy Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal Company, entered into an agreement to sell its undivided mineral interests in two leases in southern Colorado to an independent oil and gas company for approximately $5 million. The transaction is expected to close no later than February 28, 2006 and is subject to customary due diligence by the buyer.

Westmoreland acquired North Central in 2001 as part of its purchase of coal properties from Montana Power. The two leases have provided a small amount of royalties from the production of coal bed methane gas since early 2004. The Company elected to dispose of this non-core asset to take advantage of the currently strong market and prices for natural gas.

The sale of the leases will result in a pre-tax gain of approximately $5 million during the first quarter of 2006.

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (c)   Exhibits

                 Exhibit 99.1 - Press release dated February 9, 2006

SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
Date:   February 9, 2006	By:  /s/ David J. Blair
	David J. Blair
	Chief Financial Officer
	(A Duly Authorized Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Press release dated February 9, 2006

EX-99

EXHIBIT 99.1

Westmoreland Coal Company
(719) 442-2600 - Telephone
(719) 448-5825 - Fax 2 N. Cascade Ave., 14th Floor
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Westmoreland Coal Company Announces
Agreement to Sell Coal Bed Methane Property

Colorado Springs, CO – February 9, 2006 – As reported in its Form 8-K filed today, Westmoreland Coal Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, North Central Energy Company, has entered into an agreement dated February 3, 2006 to sell its undivided mineral interests in two leases in southern Colorado to an independent oil and gas company for approximately $5 million. The transaction is expected to close by February 28, 2006 and is subject to customary due diligence by the buyer. The sale of the leases will result in a pre-tax gain of approximately $5 million during the first quarter of 2006.

Westmoreland acquired North Central Energy Company in 2001 as part of its purchase of Montana Power Company’s coal business. Since then, Westmoreland has worked to develop the coal bed methane resources included in the acquisition through third party operators. The Company began to receive small royalty flows from the production of coal bed methane gas in early 2004.

Christopher K. Seglem, Westmoreland’s Chairman, President and CEO, commented: “Having brought the coal bed methane into initial production, the Company has elected to sell this non-core asset now in order to take advantage of the currently strong market and prices for natural gas.”

Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the United States. The Company’s coal operations include Powder River Basin coal mining in Montana and lignite mining operations in Montana, North Dakota and Texas. Its power operations include ownership interests in two coal-fired and one natural gas-fired generating plants. Westmoreland is implementing a growth strategy dedicated to meeting America’s dual goals of low-cost power and a clean environment through the acquisition and development of complementary, niche opportunities in coal, power and other segments of the energy sector. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.com.

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Contact: Diane Jones (719) 442-2600