Westmoreland Appoints Robert P. King President and Chief Operating Officer

Westmoreland Coal Company (NasdaqGM:WLB) today announced that Robert P.
King is joining the company as its new President and Chief Operating
Officer, effective March 26, 2012. King brings more than 30 years of
operational coal mining experience to Westmoreland. Keith E. Alessi,
Westmoreland′s current Chief Executive Officer and President, who has
been with the company since 2007, will continue in the role of Chief
Executive Officer.

Most recently at Consol Energy, Inc., King served as Executive Vice
President ? Business Advancement and Support Services of CONSOL Energy
and CNX Gas since January 2009. Mr. King served as Senior Vice President
? Administration from February 2007 until January 2009, with
responsibility for strategy, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain
management, permitting, environmental services, research and
development, and Fairmont Supply Company. Prior to joining CONSOL in
2006, he held numerous positions with Interwest Mining Company, a
subsidiary of PacifiCorp, beginning in November 1990. These positions
included Vice President ? Operations and Engineering and General Manager
at Centralia Mining Company.

'The addition of Bob King as President and Chief Operating Officer
rounds out our executive team that will continue to grow Westmoreland,?
stated Mr. Richard M. Klingaman, Westmoreland′s Chairman of the Board.
'His broad leadership experience in the coal industry will add depth to
our strategic vision.?

'Since Bob joined CONSOL Energy in 2006 as President of CNX Land
Resources, he has contributed his engineering and managerial expertise
to our leadership team by overseeing several divisions of the company,?
commented J. Brett Harvey, Chief Executive Officer. 'Bob was
instrumental in developing the framework of some recent partnerships
that have transformed CONSOL Energy into a leading diversified fuel
producer and we are grateful for his guidance in that process. On behalf
of all CONSOL Energy employees, we wish Bob well in his future
endeavors.?

As President of Westmoreland, King will be responsible for the
day-to-day operations of Westmoreland′s business. Mr. Alessi will
continue to focus on strategic initiatives and value creation
opportunities for the company.

King earned his MBA from Utah State and a MS and BS in Mining
Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.

About Westmoreland Coal Company

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, sub-bituminous mining in Wyoming, 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.

Westmoreland Coal Company

Kevin Paprzycki, 855-922-6463