Press
- Parent Category: News
The Association acknowledges and thanks the sponsors and the more than 200 who attended the recent Environmental Workshop in Charleston. The wide range of topics included updates on current water quality standards, endangered species’ policies and regulations, a critical overview of the Clean Power Plan and OSM’s Stream Protection Rule as well as a discussion of the current political and legislative situation in West Virginia. Environmental & Technical Committee Chairman John McDaniel and our own Jason Bostic, who also made presentations, said the Workshop would not have been possible without the able and professional assistance of our talented and informed presenters, which included Barry Thacker, P.E. Geo/Environmental Associates, Inc.; Jennie Henthorn, Henthorn Environmental Services; Allyn Turner, Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC; Varun Shekhar and Christopher “Kip” Power of Babst Calland; Robert McLusky, Jackson Kelly PLLC; and Mike Castle, Strategic Solutions.
- Parent Category: News
West Virginia 1st District Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., will hold a Town Hall Meeting on “West Virginia’s Economy: Coal, Natural Gas and What’s Next” this Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.) in Fairmont. Specifically, it will be convened at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center – Exhibition Hall; 1000 Galliher Drive; Fairmont, WV 26554. To RSVP or for more information contact Libby Reasbeck, Field Representative at (304) 232-3801.
- Parent Category: News
In the next two weeks, initial pre-registration information for the 2016 West Virginia Mining Symposium will be forwarded to all members and interested parties. As usual, this 42nd Annual event will be held at the Charleston Civic Center and will feature environmental and safety workshops and a full agenda of national and state experts and leaders discussing issues and developments most pertinent to our industry, as well as the annual Environmental Achievement and Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards. The specific dates for the upcoming Symposium are Wednesday, January 27th – 29th. Please be watching for this pre-registration information as we hope this will continue to be one of the largest gatherings of coal mining people in the country.
- Parent Category: News
CHARLESTON - Attached for your information is a pre-publication copy of a proposed rule that the Mine Safety and Health Administration will publish in the Federal Register tomorrow regarding the installation of proximity detection system on underground mining equipment. Also attached is a fact sheet that the agency has prepared. Comments on the rule must be submitted 90-days following publication, approximately Dec. 2, 2015.
Under the proposed rule operators of underground coal mines would be required to install proximity detection systems on mining equipment, coal hauling machines and scoops on working sections using continuous mining machines. Consistent with the proximity requirements for continuous mining machines the proposal indicates that the final rule will be phased-in over a period of 8-36 months depending upon the date of manufacture and installation of proximity technology in advance of the final rule. The proposal solicits comments on application of this rule to equipment in use off the working section. Additionally, the proposed rule is only applicable to underground coal mines however; MSHA specifically solicits comment on extending this rule to underground metal and nonmetal operations as well.
- Parent Category: News
The 2015 edition of Coal Facts, the West Virginia Coal Association’s annual report on the status of the state’s coal industry, is now available. It is available at the WVCA’s office in Charleston or for download at http://www.wvcoal.com/docs/Coal%20Facts%202015.pdf. Drop by and see us or visit our website for your copy today.
- Parent Category: News
US COAL PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO GAIN AND CLOSES GAP ON 2014
US COAL PRODUCTION CONTINUES TO GAIN AND CLOSES GAP ON 2014
|
Coal Commodity |
Avg. BTU |
SO2 |
Price |
Price/mmBTU |
|
Central Appalachia |
12,500 |
1.2 |
$48.60 |
$1.94 |
|
Northern Appalachia |
13,000 |
3 |
$51.90 |
$2.00 |
|
Illinois Basin |
11,800 |
5 |
$34.35 |
$1.46 |
|
Powder River Basin |
8,800 |
0.8 |
$11.55 |
$0.66 |
|
Unita Basin |
11,700 |
0.8 |
$39.75 |
$1.70 |
|
Natural Gas |
n/a |
0.01 |
n/a |
$2.69 |
CHARLESTON –Coal production in the U.S. for the week ending August 29th rose for the fourthstraight week, continuing a long-term upward trend, and to narrow the gap to last year’s totals significantly in recent weeks, according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA).
Read more: Weekly Coal Production & Price Report (August 29, 2015)
- Parent Category: News
CHARLESTON - The September episode of the West Virginia Coal Association’s Coal Seam television show is now on the air. The special guest was Senate President and Lt. Governor Bill Cole, who discussed the issues related to the President’s Carbon and Mercury Rules and their impact on the future of coal in the state – focusing specifically on what the state can do on its own to help the industry compete while continuing to push back on the Obama Administration’s regulatory assault.
Cole also discussed the 2016 Legislative Agenda, saying that a big part of the upcoming session would be focused on tax reform and other means to help state businesses compete.
The Coal Seam is available on your local public access cable channel, including Suddenlink Channel 17 in the southern part of the state. Check your local listings for the dates and times.
- Parent Category: News
SOUTH CHARLESTON – West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic provided an overview of the 3,000+ page rewrite of the federal mining regulations proposed by the Office of Surface Mining as the Stream Protection Rule.
The presentation focused on the most problematic issues with the rule, such as the potential impact on underground mining operations and the inclusion un-codified water quality standards with the mining permits.
- Parent Category: News
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS – The West Virginia State Chamber of Commerce has elected former two-time West Virginia Coal Association Chairman Andrew Jordon as its new board chairman for the 2015-2017 term. The Chamber announced the selection at its annual Business Summit held earlier this week at the Greenbrier.
The three-day meeting included the state’s largest gathering of business, education and policy leaders.
Read more: WVCA’s Andrew Jordon Tapped to Serve as WV Chamber of Commerce Chair