Westmoreland Completes Sale of Kentucky Criterion
Assets to CONSOL, of Kentucky, Inc.
And Emerges From Bankruptcy


Philadelphia, PA - December 22, 1994 - Westmoreland Coal 
Company (NYSE:WCX) announced today that it had completed the 
sale of the assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kentucky 
Criterion Coal Company, to CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc., a 
member of the CONSOL, coal group, for $81 million after 
adjustments to reflect the settlement with TECO Coal 
Corporation and the sale of a parcel of land at Kentucky 
Criterion for which Westmoreland has received full payment.  
The price is also subject to certain normal post closing 
adjustments.  

As previously announced Westmoreland will use the proceeds 
from this sale to pay in full its outstanding indebtedness 
to its principal creditors of approximately $39 million.  At 
that point Westmoreland will emerge from bankruptcy.  The 
Company also will use the proceeds to meet near term 
expenses, including taxes, related to the sale of 
approximately $6 million.  Other proceeds will be used to 
fund, when due, equity contributions of approximately $28 
million for current power plant projects of Westmoreland's 
wholly-owned subsidiary, Westmoreland Energy, Inc. and for 
other corporate purposes.


For information contact R. Page Henley (215) 545-2500