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): September 23, 2010

WESTMORELAND COAL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-11155	23-1128670
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2 North Cascade Avenue, 2nd Floor, 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:

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

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

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

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

Item 8.01. Other Events.

Imminent Danger Order

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) was enacted. Section 1503 of the Act contains new reporting requirements regarding mine safety, including disclosing on a Current Report on Form 8-K the receipt of an imminent danger order under section 107(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”) issued by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

On September 23, 2010, Westmoreland Resources, Inc., a subsidiary of Westmoreland Coal Company (the “Company”), received an imminent danger order under section 107(a) of the Mine Act stating that two different coyotes had been spotted in the vicinity of the maintenance shop, the welding shop, the employee parking lots and other areas in the vicinity of mine employees. The order requires that all miners be removed from the vicinity when the coyotes are present. All miners will be required to attend a safety meeting reminding them of the danger of coyotes and other wild animals and of the procedures to take when the coyotes are spotted on mine property. While the Company prioritizes stewardship of the land and protection of wildlife, we will continue to work with an outside contractor to remove the coyotes and mitigate any potential safety hazard that such wildlife represents to our employees.

The conditions cited in the 107(a) order referred to above had no material adverse impact on the Company’s operations at the Absaloka Mine.

Safety Award Press Release

The Company issued a press release on September 24, 2010 regarding the receipt by its Absaloka and Savage Mines of the Montana Governor’s Award for Health and Safety.  The press release of September 24^th is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated September 24, 2010

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: September 24, 2010	By:	/s/ Kevin Paprzycki
		Kevin Paprzycki Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated September 24, 2010

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Two Westmoreland Mines Receive
Montana Governor’s Award for Health and Safety

Colorado Springs, CO – September 24, 2010 — Westmoreland Coal Company (NYSE AMEX: WLB) announced today that two of its mining operations received the Montana Governor’s Award for Health and Safety. The Absaloka Mine, a 15,000-acre single pit surface mine complex located near Hardin, Montana, received the Governor’s Award in the Large Mining category, while the Savage Mine, an 874-acre single pit surface mine located on the Montana-North Dakota border in Sidney, Montana, received the Governor’s Award in the Small Mining category. The Governor’s Award for Health and Safety is the highest honor given by the State of Montana for recognition of an employer’s commitment to excellence in workplace safety and health.

Keith E. Alessi, President and CEO of Westmoreland Coal Company commented: “Safety is Westmoreland’s top priority and we congratulate the employees of the Absaloka and Savage Mines for this wonderful achievement. We also sincerely thank the Governor’s Office for recognizing our efforts through these prestigious awards. These recognitions are a testament to our entire team’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe work environment. We are also proud of the safety record in our other three mines, all of which are recording excellent safety records in 2010.”

Westmoreland Coal Company is the oldest independent coal company in the United States. The Company’s coal operations include coal mining in the Powder River Basin in Montana and lignite mining operations in Montana, North Dakota and Texas. Its power operations include ownership of the two-unit ROVA coal-fired power plant in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.westmoreland.com.

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Contact: Keith Alessi (719) 442-2600