By Alex Wiederspiel in News | April 05, 2016 at 6:43PM

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Chris Hamilton, the Vice President of the West Virginia Coal Association, does not think Senator Joe Manchin should need any additional input on the nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Justice Garland is a sitting judge on the D.C. Circuit, and he’s had a number of EPA cases before him,” Hamilton said Tuesday on the MetroNews-affiliated “The Mike Queen Show” on the AJR News Network. “And he has, almost without exception, upheld the agency’s rules, rule making, and requirements that it has proposed and implemented.”

The WV Coal Association sent an open letter to Senator Manchin expressing their disapproval of the nominee.

 

West Virginia Coal Association Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton recently responded to a request by Senator Joe Manchin for input into his decision to support the Obama Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. Garland is known for supporting EPA power grabs. 

Following is the letter Vice President Hamilton sent in response.

Senator Manchin, 

I received your invitation to participate in the public discussion of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland this Thursday in Charleston.

As you are well aware, the single most important issue before the U.S. Supreme Court is the resolution of President Obama’s “Clean Power Plan”.  Recall that in February, days before the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the High Court elected to stay the Clean Power Plan until such time the Court could hear evidentiary arguments. The Court’s decision was due in no small part to Justice Scalia's strong persuasion and vote, and the decision was in full recognition of the devastating implications of moving forward with the President’s Climate Plan if it ultimately is found to be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate to issue.

HUNTINGTON – The Marshall University Marshall Thundering Herd want the world to know they are Friends of Coal.

This Thursday, February 18th, at 7 p.m. the Herd will play host to the Charlotte 49’ers at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington. All coal miners and affiliated employees can use the promo code HERDCOAL on Herdzone.com, or just show your Friends of Coal sticker at the door to receive tickets discounted to just $5 tickets for the game.

The Herd’s Head Basketball Coach Dan D’Antoni said the night will be a “special night honoring the coal miner and all those who work in the coal industry in West Virginia.”
The team will wear its black uniforms in honor of our coal miners. D’Antoni called for a “blackout” at the game.

D’Antoni knows the importance of coal to the state firsthand.

“My grandfather was a coal miner and I grew up in coal country,” D’Antoni said. “The first 500 fans will receive a special Friends of Coal t-shirt and we hope everyone else will wear black to honor our proud history here in the state.

West Virginia Coal Association Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton said the event shows the bonds between the industry and the state.

“We are proud of our relationship with the state’s universities,” Hamilton said. “Many of our miners, their children, our management, their children and grandchildren have worn the green and white of Marshall. We appreciate Marshall’s recognition of our people and we urge all Friend of Coal to head to the Henderson Center this Thursday evening. Let’s rock the Henderson Center with coal!”

 

WASHINGTON – The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity announced the election ofJoseph Craft III, president and CEO and director of Alliance Resource Partners, L.P., as its next chairman.Michael Ward, chairman and CEO of CSX, was elected vice chairman.
“As the heads of organizations dedicated to the assurance of reliable access to affordable energy, Mr. Craft and Mr. Ward bring tremendous experience and leadership to ACCCE at a critical time for industry,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE. “We look forward to working together to overturn EPA’s power plan and to assure affordable coal-based electricity for decades to come.”

PRINCETON --The next regular meeting of the Pocahontas Coal Association will be held Thursday, December 10th, at 6:00 PM at the Princeton Elks Club. 
As is tradition during the Winter meeting, the PCA will be honoring the Boys High School Football Players of the Week, and also the Player of the Year. A dinner will also accompany the awards presentation. Bill Raney, President of the West Virginia Coal Association,will speak.
Please plan to come and bring a friend! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION :
Contact Jason Fannin at 276-623-2914 or 276-698-5317
The Pocahontas Coal Association,  Inc.

  1. Kanawha Valley Mining Institute to Host December Meeting
  2. BIC to Host "Leading the Change" Legislative Pre-Conference
  3. The WVCA Provides Information on the Proposed Proximity Detection Rule
  4. WV Legislature's Rulemaking Review Committee Considers Tank Rule