CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Coal Association convened its 44th annual Coal Mining Symposium Feb. 22 and celebrated the safety achievements of mining operations across the state.
“We take great pride in the accomplishments West Virginia’s coal operators and their miners have achieved in safety,” said Coal Association President Bill Raney. “There is no greater responsibility in our industry than making sure that our miners go home safely at the end of a long workday.”
Inspectors with the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training evaluate all coal operations and contractors to select the winners, and Deputy Director Eugene White presented the awards.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ The West Virginia Coal Association is extending a giant "thank you" to President Trump for officially overturning a job-killing rule from the previous administration.
Today, President Trump signed the congressional resolution of disapproval that overturns the so-called Stream Protection Rule. This rule, which was released by the U.S. Office of Surface Mining in the final days of 2016, would have sterilized as much as 70 percent of American coalfields and specifically targeted underground coal mining.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Coal Association is cheering President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 General Election.
“This election outcome is more than West Virginia’s coal industry could have hoped for,” said Coal Association President Bill Raney. “Not only will Congress stay in the leadership hands of those who understand coal’s importance to the American economy, but we finally will have a chief executive who hears us and cares about us in West Virginia.”
While coal production in West Virginia likely will not return to the record productions levels prior to the 2008, Raney said the industry outlook shows signs of improving.
In shocking style, Donald Trump has won the 2016 Presidential election by winning the State of Pennsylvania and garnering 276 electoral votes compared to Hillary Clinton’s 218.
On the state level, Jim Justice (D) will be West Virginia’s 36th Governor having defeated Senate President and Lt Governor Bill Cole (R) by a 49 – 42% margin while State Republicans maintain control over the state legislature by adding to its current majority in the Senate and maintaining a plus sixty (60) advantage in the House of Delegates.
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won reelection and WVCA-endorsed, executive office candidates Mac Warner, JB McCuskey, and Kent Leonhardt were successful in their bids to join General Morrisey on the Board of Public Works as Secretary of State, Auditor and Agriculture Commissioner respectively.
All three incumbent congressional representatives -- David McKinley, Evan Jenkins and Alex Mooney easily won reelection and the Presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton remains undecided as Trump continues to gain ground in traditional Democratic states.
A more detailed analysis of state and federal races will be prepared later today. If yo have any questions, please give one of us a call at 304-342-4153.
Mon Power & Potomac Edison Invest in Upgrades at Harrison and Fort Martin Power Stations Companies: Will Keep Coal Plants Working
CHARLESTON – Earlier this year, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill that allowed utility companies to fast-track recovery of costs for upgrades to existing power plants if the upgrades help keep West Virginia coal miners working.
The bill is already doing what was intended.
FirstEnergy subsidiaries Mon Power and Potomac Edison recently submitted a request to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) to recover costs for environmental control projects that support the long-term operation of Harrison and Fort Martin Power Stations.
The upgrades are part of FirstEnergy's investments in emissions control at Harrison and Fort Martin that allow the plants to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. These investments will allow the plants to continue generating low-emitting and affordable electricity, providing well-paying jobs, and contributing significant tax income to surrounding communities.
