State native to promote WV coal industry while on tour
 
Bassmaster Elite Series champion and Friend of Coal Jeremy Starks is ready to hit the professional fishing trail for the 2010 tournament season, which begins on March 11 at the “Duel in the Delta” in Stockton, California.  He’s hoping Friends of Coal everywhere will wish him luck and follow his progress online at www.bassmaster.com or watch for him on ESPN 2’s The Bassmasters television program, airing Saturday mornings at 9 a.m.
 
“We’ll cover a lot of water, as well as a lot of ground, this season,” Starks said. “We kick off the season with two tournaments in California and then compete in 11 events in 8 other states between March and September. I’m hoping my friends in the Mountain State will root me on and wish me luck.”
 
Starks will be fishing from the “Friends of Coal” boat, which features vibrant, bright colors, the state capitol dome, fishing art and messages about clean coal power.
 
“I’m proud to have the opportunity to showcase West Virginia’s scenic and strategic natural resources as I travel around the country,” Starks said.  “There’s not an outdoor enthusiast around who hasn’t found wonderful fishing, hunting, birding and recreational activities in every corner of our state.  At the same time, our exceptional energy resources – specifically coal – are invaluable economic drivers for our state and our nation.  I take every opportunity to educate people about coal and what it means to West Virginia.” 
 
Starks works to leverage his popularity and knowledge of fishing, hunting and the outdoors on behalf of his mining industry sponsors and he plans to keep the momentum going in 2010.
 
“Many West Virginians have been supportive of my fishing career and I’m hoping to give them plenty more to cheer about this season,” Starks said.
 
Starks will compete in 10 Bassmaster Elite Series events and 3 Bassmaster Open events.  The 2010 tour will take him to lakes and rivers in California, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, New York, Michigan, and Maryland. 

Newly released data by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show West Virginia by far continues to be the leading source of coal distributed to foreign destinations.

In 2008, the most recent year for which EIA data are available, West Virginia shipped almost 26 million tons of coal, accounting for more than 39 percent of total U.S. coal distributed to foreign markets. 2008 also marked the fourth consecutive year that West Virginia coal shipments to foreign markets have increased.

In total, the U.S. shipped approximately 66 million tons of coal to foreign markets, with production east of the Mississippi River accounting for 85 percent of those shipments.

More information is available at: EIA Coal Distribution Data.

NMA staff contact: Leslie Coleman at (202) 463-9780 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Register-Herald Reporter

Mountain State University students as well as community members will have an opportunity to participate in a forum designed to address important issues regarding coal mining Wednesday in Carter hall. The forum, title, “Appalachian Coal Mining Under Attack,” will feature a presentation by Gene Kitts, senior vice president for mining service of International Coal Group Inc (ICG), followed by an open question and answer session.

“we’re doing this just to offer the public an opportunity to learn what is happening in today’s political environment and social environment (in relation) to the coal industry because it is very important to the economy of West Virginia,” said Dr. Norman Hinkle, dean of MSU’s School of Business & Technology.

Kitts’ presentation will include information including the progress made in safety, productivity and environmental protection in the past two centuries as well as the future of the coal industry.

Information provided will be “timely and critical” to those interested in West Virginia’s economy.

“Most people have heard a lot about cap-and-trade and he’ll (Kitts) talk about that and how it could negatively affect the coal industry,” Hinkle said.

Although Kitts will talk about the importance of the coal industry, Hinkle said he wants to “be very clear that we’re not taking a pro-coal stand,” he said. “We’re just doing this to offer the public and our students an opportunity to know what’s going on.”

The forum is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. For more information, contact Hinkle at 304-929-1320.