Department of Labor (DOL) official Adriano Llosa told ILN that the office in Wilkes-Barre, which opened in 1978, had the lowest intake in the agency’s division.
“The office has been averaging only around 100 new claims per year, which accounts for (1-2%) of black lung claims,” Llosa said.
“This trend began a number of years ago and claims have continued to decline over that time.”
The official said the Luzerne county office, located in the heart of the state’s anthracite coal mining region, had only three claims in November and would close its doors no later than February.