FOC Press
Charleston, W.VA. ─ The West Virginia Coal Association is joining together with the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute to sponsor a special summer program for mining professionals on June 22-23, at the Marriott at Waterfront Place in Morgantown.
The program is intended for mining professionals to learn about developing technologies, mine safety and environmental programs and emerging threats and challenges facing the industry. United States Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito will join with West Virginia’s First Congressional Representative David McKinley and State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to headline the program. A variety of technical presentations are also slated for the two-day program.
Calling on all Friends of Coal to “Stand Up and Be Counted”— Let our voices be heard!
As previously announced, the West Virginia Coal Association filed a petition to intervene in a case brought by American Electric Power (AEP) before the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) that is centered around the Mitchell Power Plant is Marshall County, West Virginia.
The issue is whether the Mitchell Plant should close twelve years ahead of schedule. If approved, this decision will prematurely eliminate hundreds of coal mining and plant worker jobs and tens of millions of dollars of economic activity that supports Northern West Virginia communities.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ Through the passage of various pieces of mining-related legislation, the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Justice showcased their support for coal miners and coal-fired power plant workers during the 2021 Legislative Session.
“We are so very grateful for the recognition displayed by the Legislature and Governor Justice of the importance of West Virginia’s coal economy,” said Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association. “The mining and coal-fired power generation industries remain one of the largest economic generators in the state and state policy leaders recognized that fact through passage of Senate Bill 542, Senate Bill 718 and Senate Bill 677, among others.”
A lot has happened in a relatively short period of time since President Biden was sworn into office last month.
The Keystone XL pipeline was stopped by Presidential Executive Order, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals struck down President Trump’s Affordable Clean Energy Plan and the country witnessed the collapse of Texas’s power system, comprised of a high percentage of wind, solar and natural gas, when extreme weather blanketed the Lone Star state.
Dear Madame Vice President:
Congratulations on your election victory and thank you for your service to the United States.
We watched with interest your recent interview on WSAZ television, which covers central-southern West Virginia, in late January. During the interview you highlighted the President’s “American Rescue Plan” and its goal of defeating COVID-19, providing relief to families, lifting children out of poverty, and creating jobs. These are admirable and necessary goals, and we applaud the Administration’s pursuit of them.
During the interview you highlighted the Administration’s strategy for rebuilding our economy, which included transitioning coal miners to jobs rebuilding our infrastructure and transferring their unique skill set to jobs in clean energy.