Press
- Parent Category: News
In his op-ed published Friday in the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Brian Dayton of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce argues that natural gas is a cheaper base fuel for electric generation. Unfortunately, his claims rely on selective data, flawed comparisons, and a misunderstanding of how power systems actually work.
Let’s start with the data. Dayton cherry-picks six states from the PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization that actually spans 13 states. By narrowing his focus, he crafts a misleading narrative. Even using his limited snapshot, West Virginia’s electric rates remain among the lowest of our neighboring states. When the full 13-state PJM footprint is considered, the disparity becomes even clearer. And when comparing all states east of the Mississippi River, West Virginia ranks second overall for affordability—proof that coal-fired generation continues to deliver reliable, low-cost power.
Read more: WV Coal Association Response to Brian Dayton of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
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The West Virginia Coal Association applauds United States Senate Republicans for declaring October 19-25 as National Coal Week. The Resolution pays tribute to the men and woman who mine coal and cited the importance of coal-fired generation and coal-to-steel technologies as the bedrock fuel behind the U.S. economy and our country’s national security.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, saluted the action of the U.S. Senate Republicans and reinforced his appreciation for miners across America who are the face of our nation’s most reliable and diverse fuel source and work every day to provide for their families.
- Parent Category: News
Senate Republicans introduced a resolution Monday declaring “Coal Week,” as the climate-change movement’s least-favorite energy source enjoys a rebound under the Trump administration.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming was joined by fellow Republicans from Alaska, Utah and West Virginia in sponsoring the resolution that cheers on President Trump for boosting coal after years of opposition under Democratic presidents.
“For years, the Biden and Obama administrations waged a relentless war on American coal, killing jobs, undermining our communities and driving up energy costs for everyday Americans,” Ms. Lummis said. “Under President Trump’s pro-energy leadership, we are fighting back and reversing that destructive agenda."
Read more: Republicans declare ‘Coal Week’ as Trump administration leads fossil-fuel comeback
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Charleston, WV – Today, Monday, October 6th, 2025, the West Virginia Republican Party was joined by the West Virginia Coal Association, Attorney General JB McCuskey, and nearly forty members of the West Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate for a press conference at the State Capitol Lower Rotunda in Charleston to highlight President Donald J. Trump’s new investment and policy initiatives supporting West Virginia’s coal industry.
- Parent Category: News
(Charleston, WV) - America’s Coal Associations issued the following statement applauding President Trump and the National Energy Dominance Council for today’s major policy and regulatory actions involving several important energy and regulatory initiatives spanning the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Coined “Coal Day 2.0” by EPA Administrator Zeldin, the three agencies jointly detailed plans and policies to further advance President Trump’s Executive Orders regarding coal, coal-fired power plants, energy security, and to implement the coal-related provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- Parent Category: News
Charleston, W.Va. – Chris Hamilton, President/CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association,
issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s energy and regulatory policy announcement today:
- Parent Category: News
Charleston, W.Va. – Chris Hamilton, President/CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association, offers the following statement concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards:
Read more: WV Coal Association Statement Regarding EPA Proposal to Rescind Endangerment Finding
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The West Virginia Coal Association applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for reauthorizing the National Coal Council through H.R. 3015, the National Coal Council Reestablishment Act. This important legislation ensures continued collaboration between industry leaders and government to support the future of coal in America.
The reauthorization of the National Coal Council will maximize coal's critical role in the U.S. electricity mix, help stabilize the increasingly unreliable electricity grid, and drive innovation and responsible development in coal mining and utilization for years to come.
“We extend special thanks to Congressman Riley Moore for his strong support of the bill,” said Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association. “His commitment to advancing West Virginia’s coal industry and promoting energy security is vital to our state and the nation.”
The council previously provided expert advice on coal policy, markets, and technologies for nearly four decades, a trusted source of coal industry expertise which was lost when the Biden administration let its charter lapse in 2021.
For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.
- Parent Category: News
Charleston, W.Va. – House Bill 2014, legislation to incentivize microgrid and data center development in West Virginia, became effective this month, and with it, the implementation of rules and regulations to maintain and strengthen the state’s coal industry.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “The bill will sustain demand for West Virginia coal, protect jobs, and preserve the economic stability of our mining communities, and through that, our state’s economy. This critically important legislation prioritizes coal for existing and new energy capacity and requires utilities to maintain their plants to operate at optimum levels.”
Read more: WV Coal Association Applauds Implementation of HB 2014