A coal miner who says he was fired for enforcing safety standards that slowed production and the sealing of the Upper Big Branch mine is suing Alpha Natural Resources.

The State Journal (http://bit.ly/KQaZmh) says Glen Farley accuses Virginia-based Alpha and its Performance Coal Co. of wrongfully terminating his $79,000-a-year job last month.

Performance must respond by June 10 in Raleigh County Circuit Court.

Spokesman Ted Pile says Alpha has a no-reprisals policy on safety, and it encourages employees to act if it will avoid an accident or injury.

Alpha bought Massey last summer. But Farley claims it's following Massey's old habits, punishing workers who identify safety hazards and hinder production.

The lawsuit says Performance ostensibly fired Farley because he borrowed a tractor for personal use.

Farley says he had permission.