Based on the volume of quick responses received to the initial registration information, this year’s Annual Meeting will be well-attended and active.  While the program is being finalized we are told the change in ownership has brought new energy to the employees at the Greenbrier.  Registration materials are available at the Association for the August 6-8 gathering that will emphasize family activities amidst technical issues, national and state speakers and entertainment by the Fab Four.  Please let us know if you have questions or need to receive the registration information. 

Dear Mr. Moss,

I am a current student at Berea College studying adventure tourism in the Appalachian region. Recently I had a phenomenal experience in Knott County I'd like to share with you. The class has covered several topics- one of which is the controversy surrounding mountain top removal and reclamation.

Exploring the issue, we visited a mountain top removal site that has been reclaimed and reused to promote adventure tourism. This site in Knott County hosts activities such as trail rides, by horseback and wagon, and ATV rides. The particular event we visited was a saddle club trail ride. As we drove there, I had no idea of what to expect, but I didn't think it would be as surprising as what I witnessed. Rounding the corner to view the trail ride site, my fellow students and I took a collective gasp as we saw the hundreds and hundreds of people camping out with horses, trailers, and campers. It truly was a sea of people- and stretched from one end of the horizon to the other.
Twenty years ago, 600 acres of land were strip mined to bare, dry land. Today, that same land is the site of a flurry of life. According to one visitor, "It's the best thing that's happened to this area."

The House Energy and Commerce Committee on the evening of May 21 passed the biggest piece of the Obama administration and Congressional Democrats' agenda to put the federal government in charge of the American economy. On a 33 to 25 vote, the Committee approved the "American Clean Energy and Security Act," H. R. 2454. The 946-page energy-rationing bill is better known as Waxman-Markey, named after its two chief sponsors, Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment.

Thirty-two Democrats were joined by one Republican, Mary Bono Mack of California, in voting for Waxman-Markey, while four moderate Democrats joined twenty-one Republicans against. One Republican missed the vote.

If enacted, H. R. 2454 would be the biggest government takeover of the economy since the Second World War, which is the last time energy, food, and other basic commodities were rationed. It would also be the biggest tax increase in the history of the world and would cause a colossal transfer of wealth from consumers to big businesses.

 

Pictured from left to right:  Ray Scites, TVMI Treasurer; John Vance, Man High School; Chelsea Phillips, Tug Valley High School;  Erica Hatfield, Williamson High School; John Price, Burch High School; Issac Picklesimer, Williamson High School; Dakota Farley, Belfry High School; John Goroncy, TVMI President; and Lt. Gen. Robert H. Foglesong.

At the May 21, 2009, Tug Valley Mining Institute (TVMI) dinner meeting, the six 2009 scholarship recipients were named.  The two top $6,000 scholarship awards went to Dakota Farley from Belfry High School and Issac Picklesimer from Williamson High School.  Four $750 scholarship awards went to John Vance, Man High School; Chelsea Phillips, Tug Valley High School; John Price, Burch High School; and Erica Hatfield, Williamson High School.

The guest speaker was Lt. Gen. Robert H. Foglesong, and he provided an inspirational speech directed toward the scholars regarding the educational journey they are starting.  He encouraged the scholars to invest in themselves now with education so that they could be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow.  Hi-Tech Construction sponsored the meeting and has been a long time supporter of the scholarship program.

Over the last fourteen years, TVMI has awarded 84 (eighty-four) students $160,000 in scholarship monies.  The TVMI scholarship is open to students from Mingo, Logan, Pike, and Martin counties.  The applications are available in November of each year and may be obtained from Marsha Williams at the First National Bank of Williamson or from the TVMI website (www.tugvalleymi.org).

Entities that are considered large quantity water users in the state are required to register and file certifications of their water use with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection by June 16. A large quantity user is any entity or individual who withdraws more than 750,000 gallons from state waters in any calendar month.

A survey conducted in 2004 and 2005 identified and registered the state's large quantity users. Those entities were mailed water use certification forms that are mandatory under the Water Resources Protection and Management Act.

Large quantity water users that have not registered must complete a registration form, which can be found on the internet at www.wvdep.org by clicking on the Water Use button at the top of the page. Instructions for completing the form, as well as other information is on the page, or may be obtained by calling Wilma McKown at (304) 926-0499, extension 1280.


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The description below was provided Thursday evening by the National Mining Association (NMA) relative to the action taken on Thursday (Day 4) on the "climate change" bill by Congressman Waxman's House Energy and Commerce Committee.  During the four days of consideration, it appears that most amendments failed along party lines.  Also note that this bill has several other committee references before it gets to the floor for a full House vote.

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This week, the Association wrote a letter of support to the WV Public Service Commission for the Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline Project (PATH).  PATH is a joint venture between Allegheny Energy and American Electric Power and is proposed to stretch some 200 miles from the John Amos Power station in Putnam County diagonally across West Virginia and into Virginia and Maryland.  This 765-kilovolt line will help shore up our region's aging electric infrastructure and carry power
to eastern markets. PATH's application was filed last week with the PSC.

At the May 21, 2009, Tug Valley Mining Institute (TVMI) dinner meeting, the six 2009 scholarship recipients were named.  The two top $6,000 scholarship awards went to Dakota Farley from Belfry High School and Issac Picklesimer from Williamson High School.  Four $750 scholarship awards went to John Vance, Man High School; Chelsea Phillips, Tug Valley High School; John Brice, Burch High School; and, Erica Hatfield, Williamson High School.  Congratulations to each.

Lt. General Robert H. Foglesong provided an inspirational speech directed toward the scholars regarding the educational journey they are starting and encouraged the scholars to invest in themselves now with education so they could be the leaders and decision makers of tomorrow.  Hi-Tech Construction sponsored the meeting and has been a long time supporter of the scholarship program.

`West Virginia Pro Angler and Friends of Coal spokesperson Jeremy Starks, as well as a representative from America Electric Power, spoke to third-graders at St. Francis De Sales Catholic School in Beckley this past Wednesday morning on the importance of coal and electricity. Thanks go out to the Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary for facilitating the opportunity, and by all accounts, the kids really enjoyed the presentations as well as climbing aboard Jeremy's boat!

 

Charles T. Jones will receive the 2009 Spirit of the Valley Award that recognizes the Kanawha Valley's top volunteer of the year. Date, time and location will be announced at a later date. CONGRATULATIONS Charles!

The sixth Annual Friends of Coal Auto Fair at the YMCA Youth Sports Complex in Beckley is set for July 17-19.  This unique event allows our industry to promote coal mining and clean coal technology to the general public in a positive manner and would not be possible with the contributions of the member companies.

The rush to save the American economy through the creation of so-called “green jobs” has started to spur research into whether the silver (or shall we say ‘green’) bullet really exists according to its promoters.
 
Recently, long-time Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Kit Bond (R-MO), issued a report detailing aspects of green jobs creation that are getting increasing scrutiny: 1) Inescapable and expensive taxpayer subsidy requirements; 2) Documented low wages, and 3) Tradeoffs in the form of lost jobs to pay for creating green jobs. Click here to see the report.
 
The Bond report is sobering to say the least. Two high profile environmental group programs, the New Apollo Program, promoted by the Apollo Alliance, and the Green Recovery Program, by the Center for American Progress, would, at a cost of $500 billion and $100 billion respectively, create 5 million and 2 million jobs. That works out to a program (read taxpayer) cost of $100,000 and $50,000 per job, respectively.
 
But what kind of jobs do Americans get with highly subsidized “green jobs?” Some of the richest incentives documented resulted in lower wage jobs than the green marketing campaigns would suggest. For instance, the Bond report outlines three troubling examples:

Accolades and appreciation have come from everyone for the industry’s quick response to Friday night’s devastating floods in Mingo County.  Many residents, statewide talk radio host Hoppy Kerchival, state agencies and relief organizations have collectively cited the coal and coal-related companies for their overwhelming support and indicated that many people would have been stranded for much longer or roads would have remained impassable had it not been for the equipment, labor, materials and money contributed by our member companies. Much of the donated equipment continues to assist in the recovery while the Larry Joe Harless continues to be the central coordinating headquarters for the recovery in the Gilbert area of Mingo County.  Thanks to each and every company and their people who responded so quickly and thoroughly. 
 
Also, on Thursday, the Friends of Coal flag was carried by former Mountaineer Football Coach Don Nehlen as he toured the flooded areas and recovery centers with Buck Harless to offer support and thanks to the people in Mingo County.

Senate Bill 461, commonly called the Selenium Bill, was signed by Governor Manchin on Wednesday.  The bill extends the deadline for meeting what is considered unrealistic water quality standards for selenium by two years, to 2012.  It also mandates that DEP conduct a study to determine the appropriate standard for flowing streams in the eastern U.S. and Appalachian geology.

Last week’s Annual Joint Meeting of the Association and the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute was most successful with a wide array of speakers that included Governor Manchin, Consol Energy’s COO Bart Hyita, Massey CEO Don Blankenship, Southern States Energy Board Executive Secretary Ken Nemeth and WVU Economics Professor Jeff Sobol.  The two-day event was highlighted with the induction of Brett Harvey (Consol Energy) and Don Nicewonder (former Premium Energy and others) into the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame.  While Brett was officially inducted Friday evening, Don was unable to attend as he is recovering from recent surgery.  Don’s official induction will be held during next year’s banquet.

Walker Machinery President Steve Walker was honored Wednesday by the Buckskin Council of the Boy Scouts of America at a luncheon in Charleston.  WVU Basketball Coach Bobby Huggins was the featured speaker at the well-attended event.  Special recognition was given to the member companies who collectively “stepped up” to fully sponsor the annual luncheon.  Those members includedAlpha Natural Resources, Pritchard Mining, CONSOL Energy, BB&T, International Resource Partners, Arch Coal, Starvaggi Industries, Petroleum Products, United Coal and Trinity Coal.

Just last week the reports indicated there were not enough votes to get the Waxman-Markey bill out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  With assistance from the National Mining Association we learned that a lot of negotiating has been going on in the last few days since it is now scheduled to begin consideration of the draft “American Clean Energy and Security Act” sponsored by Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on Monday, May 18, 2009.  Chairman Waxman has apparently agreed to modifications to the draft legislation in order to secure sufficient votes among Democratic members to report the legislation from the committee. NMA continues to voice its opposition to the bill since the proposed changes do not extend adequate protections for the coal industry.  A final draft of the legislation is expected to be released on Monday that will reflect any additional modifications arising from further negotiations among the Chairman and the Democratic members of the committee.

RESOLUTION No. 200942

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT WEST VIRGINIA'S COAL INDUSTRY

WHEREAS, the Putnam County Development Authority strives to continually improve the economic climate in Putnam County, West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, recent news articles and electronic news coverage give the impression of, at best. lukewarm support of the coal industry by the Obama Administration; and

WHEREAS, recent appointments to positions at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the agency's decision to review all mountaintop coal mining permits; and

WHEREAS, the Administration's continued support of wind and solar alternatives make little or no mention of clean coal technologies; and

WHEREAS, the absence of federal support for the coal industry could have catastrophic consequences for the West Virginia economy and the thousands of West Virginia families and businesses that me dependent on their viability.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Putnam County Development Authority as the agency charged with the responsibility for economic improvement of Putnam County and its citizens request your support ofthe coal industry and its place as a long term partner in both the current Congress and the Administration's solution to energy independence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be provided to members of West Virginia's Congressional Delegation, to Governor Manchin and to West Virginia Senate and Delegates upon approval.

The foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Putnam County Development Authority, Inc., at its regular meeting on the 28th day of April, 2009.