The Second Annual Friends of Coal Bowl came off without a hitch last weekend, and the Friends of Coal once again received a ton of positive notice for its sponsorship of the football
series between WVU and Marshall.  MU put up a fierce struggle against the 4th ranked Mountaineers, before falling by a 48-23 count.

This afternoon’s final round of the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic will be entertainment for most who view it on the Golf Channel.

For Arch Coal Inc., “it’s a rallying point,” said Steven Leer, Arch’s chairman and chief executive officer. The St. Louis-based company, which has about 1,300 employees in West Virginia, brought about eight of its workers to Harrison County for this year’s tournament. Arch also brought in about a dozen customers from all over the nation.

“They get to see the state and we get to spend some time with them,” Leer said. “We can talk about issues facing the industry and hear about some of the needs of our customers. All in a delightful venue.”

Bill Raney, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, spoke to the Charleston Rotary at The University of Charleston, Friday, August 24, 2007.

Bill was very informative and entertaining as he addressed today’s challenges of the West Virginia coal industry. 

For those who were unable to hear his speech in person, Mr. Raney has graciously provided his notes:

The biennial Bluefield Coal Show, set for September 12, 13 and 14, 2007 at the Brushfork Armory Civic Center, will feature 225 exhibitors, bringing coal to the forefront of the Appalachian region.  During the three-day event, Technical Seminars will be offered for exhibitors and attendees, featuring relevant topics from prominent speakers within the industry.  Dave Langford of Appalachian Power is working with a committee of coal leaders to lineup the presenters.

Speakers and topics to date include:  Bill Raney, WVCA, speaking on “Coal’s Contribution”; Ron Wooten, Director of WV Office of Miner’s Health, Safety & Training, on “Safety Developments in WV Since Sago”; representative of Rentech, Inc., on “Coal Conversion”; Bill Reid, Editor of Coal News and former President of EMICO, on “Public Perception of Coal”; William Tate, CEO, DBT Global; Mike Adamczyk, Joy Mining Machinery, on “Mining Machinery Development and Contribution to Mining Safety”; Paul Bailey, Center for Energy and Economic Development, speaking on “Climate Change”; and, Steve Antoline, President of Superior Highwall, will present “Twenty Years of Highwall Mining.”
           
The seminars will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Thursday, Sept. 13 in the classroom of the main building of the Brushfork Armory Civic Center.  For more information, call the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce (304/327-7184), or visit the website at www.bluefieldchamber.com.

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The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission is planning to publish a booklet containing the following information:  (1) the updated version of Title I of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) integrated with the provisions of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act); (2) the Commission's procedural and Equal Access to Justice Act rules; and (3) the Commission's summary of Commission procedures, entitled "How a Case Proceeds Before the Commission."  

These booklets are expected to be available later this fall for a small charge (approximately $5).  The Commission is currently seeking feedback from the public to ascertain interest in this publication.  Members of the public are urged to email the Commission at brochures@fmshrc.gov by October 1, 2007, indicating the number of copies they would anticipate ordering.  This is a preliminary survey and does not obligate any future purchase.  Once the booklets are available, the Commission will make an announcement and then begin accepting orders.
 

Some 300-400 Mountaineer and Thundering Herd fans made their way to the Charleston Civic Center Thursday evening for the Second Annual Country Roads Tailgate party.
Bob Pruett and Don Nehlen appeared along with the Mountaineer and Marshall’s Marco, as the Friends of Coal tried to get everybody in the proper frame of mind for the upcoming Friends of Coal Bowl, September 8 in Huntington.

Earlier in the week, the Friends of Coal Bowl trophy was on display in Huntington at a press conference initiated by MU.  President Stephen Kopp, Athletic Director Bob Marcum and Coach Mark Snyder all praised the coal industry and specifically the Friends of Coal for their involvement with the universities and this game. Bill Raney spoke for the Friends of Coal, expressing our enthusiasm for the series and our anticipation for our upcoming trip to Huntington.
 

The appointment of Association Assistant Treasurer and Board member Kent Hartsog of Eastern Associated Coal Corp/Peabody Energy to the Industrial Council that oversees the Insurance Commissioner's component of Workers' Compensation was confirmed by the State Senate during the recently completed Special Session.  Kent, an accountant, is most conversant with the State's workers' compensation programs and has been very active with the Human Resources Committee and the Legislature in these matters.  He also chairs the Association's Tax Committee.

The State Senate also confirmed Governor Manchin’s appointment of Mike Albert as Chairman of the Public Service Commission.  Mike is a retired partner from Jackson Kelly and has practiced business and utility law throughout his career.  Mike replaces current Commissioner John McKinney as Chairman, but John will continue to serve on the Commission along with the other Commissioner Ed Staats.
 

J. Brett Harvey, President and Chief Executive Office of CONSOL Energy Inc., the nation’s largest underground coal mining company, called on the coal industry to abandon its incremental approach to mine safety improvement and drive accident rates to zero at every mine in the nation.

“We need to change the paradigm and we need to change it now,” Harvey said in a speech today before the Utah Mining Association annual meeting in Park City, Utah.
(**Note:  Brett Harvey’s speech may be viewed in its entirety by logging on to www.consolenergy.com and clicking on “About CONSOL” and then click on “Speeches”) 

“What industry must change is our incremental approach to safety improvement because it creates an unintended tolerance to accidents.  We need to get to zero!”
Harvey said that improving safety in incremental steps, while successful in reducing accidents, did not eliminate them. “Incremental improvement still means people are getting hurt,” he explained.  “If we accept this approach, we had better be prepared to ask for the volunteers who want to get injured this year.”

The Friends of Coal will again host its “Country Roads Tailgate Party” Thursday evening at the Charleston Civic Center.  The event will last from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The tailgate party is part of the pre-game festivities for the “2nd Annual Friends of Coal Bowl” football matchup between Marshall University and West Virginia University, scheduled for Saturday, September 8 at Joan Edwards Stadium in Huntington.

All fans of both schools are invited to attend on Thursday.  There is no charge for the event.  Trucks and SUV’s loaded with tailgate goodies will be provided, along with music, door prizes and other special events.

‘This game is going to be a big event as we move into the 2007 football season,” said Friends of Coal spokesman Dan Miller.  “We want to get things started by getting Mountaineer and Thundering Herd fans together just to have a good time.  We hope that by the end of the evening, everybody will be in the proper frame of mind for the big game.”

Rick Johnson and Mike Agnello of WCHS radio will broadcast their daily talk show from the Civic Center from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Governor Joe Manchin is expected to make an appearance as are mascots from both schools.  Friends of Coal spokesmen and former coaches Don Nehlen and Bob Pruett will speak to the gathering and MU Athletic Director Bob Marcum and WVU Athletic Director Eddie Pastilong have also been invited. The revamped Friends of Coal Bowl Governor’s Trophy will be on display.
 

The 18th Annual Hatfield Open, sponsored by the Kanawha Valley Mining Institute, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18 at the Brier Patch Golf Club in Beckley, WV beginning at 11 a.m.  This golf outing is to support the KVMI scholarship program and your participation is greatly appreciated, plus you have a GREAT time.

For full details go to:  http://www.kvmi.org/user/2007%20Golf%20Notice.pdf
 

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The second annual “Country Roads Tailgate Party,” is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, at the Charleston Civic Center.  The object of this event is to bring fans of Marshall and WVU together and get everybody in the proper frame of mind for the upcoming Friends of Coal Bowl.

Coaches Bob Pruett and Don Nehlen will be on hand, along with the mascots and other folks from the two universities.  Mark your calendars and come out for a good time.

There are a number of activities scheduled throughout the next three weeks, leading up to the second Friends of Coal Bowl on September 8, 2007 in Huntington.  Meetings will be held today (Friday) with the Marshall University Athletic Director and his staff to finalize a number of details.

The first real promotional event bringing focus to the Bowl and our sponsorship will be a concert at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday (August 18), featuring some leading country performers.  Friends of Coal and the Friends of Coal Bowl will be a featured part of the day's activities as well as the regional radio advertising promoting the event.  For ticket information contact the Association or WV Radio Corporation.

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