Press
- Parent Category: News
A newly released white paper by Energy Ventures Analysis (EVA), prepared for America’s Power, demonstrates the essential role that coal-based power generation plays in keeping West Virginia’s electricity rates stable and affordable. The analysis found that coal dependency has helped maintain lower rates over the past two decades, providing stability unmatched by many other states.
“States like West Virginia, where coal-fired generation is a primary energy source, benefit from some of the country’s most affordable electricity,” said Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America’s Power. “Forcing a shift away from coal often leads to price hikes, which can significantly impact household budgets and the broader economy.”
West Virginia, where coal accounts for 88% of electricity generation, boasts electricity rates nearly 20% below the national average and the second-lowest among states east of the Mississippi. The state’s rates have consistently declined since 2016, attributed to its coal reliance, proximity to reserves, and regulated market structure.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, emphasized, “Coal’s reliability in West Virginia keeps electricity affordable, a crucial factor as costs rise in other sectors.”
The EVA report also noted that states moving away from coal in favor of natural gas and renewables have faced higher electricity costs and greater price volatility. Bloodworth cautioned, “Policies that close coal plants threaten reliable, affordable electricity access, as increased costs for utilities ultimately affect consumers.”
For more information, please visit www.AmericasPower.org.
- Parent Category: News
We’re excited to share the newest episode of The Coal Seam with you, featuring an in-depth conversation with West Virginia Coal Association leadership, President Chris Hamilton, and Vice President Jason Bostic.
In this episode, they discuss key issues affecting the coal industry today, including the significance of coal to West Virginia’s economy and energy security. They also spotlight the WVU Coal Rush game and the special uniforms celebrating West Virginia’s proud coal heritage.
Don’t miss this must-see video, now available on WV Public TV.
- Parent Category: News
West Virginia’s coal industry and coal miners were celebrated and honored Saturday night in front of a national television audience during the WVU v Iowa State football game, which was broadcast on the Fox network.
The West Virginia University football team wore the new all-black “Coal Rush” uniform which was designed to pay tribute to the work ethic and bravery of the West Virginia coal miner and celebrate our state’s coal industry.
- Parent Category: News
When the West Virginia University football team takes the field on Saturday night against nationally-ranked Iowa State they’ll don the new “Coal Rush” uniform. Our players will be accompanied onto the field by miners from Arch Resources’ Leer Mine Complex in Grafton where the Coal Rush concept was derived.
The Coal Rush uniform was designed to pay tribute to the work ethic and bravery of the West Virginia coal miner and celebrate our state’s coal industry.
In announcing the design back in May, WVU Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said, “If our football team was going to have a black alternate uniform, we wanted it to tell a story and mean something to our fans. Coal mining has a deep history in West Virginia, and the work ethic of coal miners is woven into the fabric of our culture. Our football team looks forward to honoring the rich tradition and history of West Virginia’s coal mining industry…”
Read more: WVU’s “Coal Rush” Uniform Honors West Virginia Miners
- Parent Category: News
Charleston, W.Va. – Twenty-seven states, including West Virginia, today filed motions with the U.S. Supreme Court to stay EPA’s carbon rule that was finalized in early May. Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association, offers the following statement:
Read more: WV Coal Association Statement on State Motions to Stay EPA’s Carbon Rule
- Parent Category: News
"We appreciate the West Virginia Republican Party and all the state representatives that attended the convention and proudly wore these hardhats to pay tribute to our state’s foundational industry and hard working miners,” said Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association.
“Millions of Americans who watched the convention likely saw the red, white, and blue hard hats which symbolize the strength and resilience of our citizenry during cut-away shots of the crowd and in various media reports.
The West Virginia Coal Association is proud to support our delegation and wholeheartedly and enthusiastically approve of the vote they cast for Donald J. Trump for President”.
- Parent Category: News
Charleston, W.Va.– The West Virginia Coal Association in partnership with America’s Coal Associations announce the launch of the “Friends of Coal” app, an interactive and educational portal designed to equip users with a direct link to current information and issues impacting West Virginia’s and our nation’s coal industry.
The app is available for download on Android and Apple products at the following links:
Read more: West Virginia Coal Association Launches “Friends of Coal” App
- Parent Category: News
West Virginia football will debut a black alternate uniform for the 2024 season that's designed to pay homage to the state's rich coal tradition and honor miners who work underground daily to supply energy around the world. After the unveiling of new blue, gold and white uniforms at the annual Gold-Blue Spring game, the black alternate unform serves as an additional uniform set for the Mountaineers to showcase on select occasions. The ideas and designs for the black alternate uniform came from a day spent with actual miners.
- Parent Category: News
Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association offered the following statement regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement today of a final rule affecting carbon emissions from coal-fired electricity facilities:
“Make no mistake, the rules announced by EPA today are specifically designed to shut down West Virginia’s nine (9) coal-fired power plants and many more across this nation. This is a continuation and escalation of the national Democratic Party’s decades-long War on Coal and threatens the livelihood of tens of thousands of miners and power plant workers across West Virginia.
Despite numerous recent announcements from regional grid operators, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electric Reliability Commission and energy experts forecasting that the amount of planned electric generation retirements exceed the amount of potential new generation able to be brought online, the EPA recklessly continues to march America off a cliff.
What EPA is doing is economic suicide. West Virginians will lose jobs. Americans will continue to pay increasingly more expensive power bills. Our state and national electric systems will become even more unreliable as the grid weakens and base load power supplies are severely reduced. And just as West Virginia will likely import its future energy, America’s energy security will become more dependent on foreign countries and potentially foreign adversaries.
A diverse energy mix that is supported by coal-powered plants, not in place of them, is crucial to ensuring all Americans can afford to keep their homes heated and lit. Until we recognize the need for an energy policy reset, we can expect our energy situation to remain unstable and potentially poised to fail us when we need it most.”
For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.
- State and National Leaders to Headline 50th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium March 26-27
- West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame Inducts 26th Class of Honorees
- Our New Radio Spot: Discover Why West Virginia is Now a Top Global Destination!
- Coal-fired Electric Generation Offers Low-Cost, Reliable Power to West Virginia