At least one state coal industry leader said he was shocked
by comments Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made earlier
this year concerning his plan to aggressively charge polluters for
carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
"What I've said is that we
would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not
more aggressive, than anybody else's out there," Obama said in a Jan.
17 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle that was made public
today first on the Web site
newsbusters.org,
which calls itself "the leader in documenting, exposing and
neutralizing liberal media bias." The story later was linked on The
Drudge Report.
The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute Meeting is set for Thursday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in South Charleston. The meeting is being sponsored by CARBONOKS, LLC and a special demonstration of the “Safe Haven” Refuge Chamber will be held.
Contact Jim Corsaro at 304/949-5630 for further information.
Industry representatives were on hand this past Monday for an energy rally at Amherst Industries in Charleston. The rally was intended to show support for West Virginia Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (2nd District). More than 100 people turned out for the rally.
The new 2008 edition of the Coal Facts annual is now available by contacting the West Virginia Coal Association at 304.342.4153 or emailing Terry Headley at theadley@wvcoal.com or Sandi Davison at sdavison@wvcoal.com .
This year’s edition of Coal Facts is your one-place for statistical data regarding the coal mining industry in the state. Data includes coal production, employment, number of mines, severance taxes collected and paid and a wide range of other data.
WVCA Communications Director Terry Headley has completed initial preparations and moving forward with plans for the Association’s new monthly television show on the West Virginia State Library Commission’s television network. The show is expected to begin filming in November and should enter the show rotation in late-November or December. The network covers most of West Virginia, with special emphasis on the Huntington-Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling, Fairmont-Clarksburg and Logan-Williamson areas. Headley is working to finalize a tentative list of guests and topics for the first season.
West Virginians for Reliable Power, a coalition comprised of state trade associations, businesses and labor organizations working to educate the state on the need for improved transmission infrastructure, will hold an energy forum on Monday, November 10, 2008 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, West Virginia.
Following is a list of state championship and tournaments held by the WVSSAC between now and the end of the year. If you are a member (general or associate) and would like to represent the West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal at any of these events by giving out plaques, trophies and/or individual awards, please call Terry Headley at 304.342.4153 or email him at
theadley@wvcoal.com .
A decision issued earlier today by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Chambers regarding the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition’s (OVEC) request for a preliminary injunction against Fola Coal Company’s Ike Fork Surface Mine. The decision follows a three day hearing held last week in Huntington. Recall that OVEC initiated a new round of litigation against the Corps (separate from the previously-appealed Massey Case that was decided in 2007) in August with a challenge to a 404 permit issued to Hobet Mining. Fola’s permits were added to the case through a second amended complaint after a settlement was reached with Hobet allowing them full use of their 404 permit.
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
The West Virginians for Coal endorsement list was sent yesterday via e-mail to all who receive this newsletter and we hope that each of you will review the list and vote accordingly. If you did not receive the list, please let us know immediately and we will forward.
Environmentalists contend poll doesn’t reflect people’s feelings. While a representative of the state's coal industry said it wants to work with environmentalists and avoid more legal battles, a representative of Coal River Mountain Watch said the fights will continue in court.
The 2009 Mining Symposium will be held in conjunction with the opening of the 2009 Legislature – February 18 – 20th. We have moved the Symposium to the Charleston Civic Center and will be using the Civic Center Holiday Inn Express as the host motel. Rooms are on hold for hospitality suites and sleeping rooms will run $84.00 + tax. To make room reservations or to book your hospitality suite contact Rusty Edens at 304- 345-0600.
Registration and program information will be sent out within the next month.
The 2008 Coal Facts will be mailed on Monday. If you do not receive a copy by Thursday of next week please give me a call and I’ll get one in the mail.
On Monday, October 27 the McCain Campaign in conjunction with Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito will hold an energy rally on the Amherst Industries Property at 2 Port Amherst Drive in Charleston. The rally will begin at 9:30 a.m. and is open to all, especially all young people working in the coal, natural gas and related industries.
West Virginia recorded its eighth mining fatality of the year and second of October when a miner was killed in a haulage accident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m at a Marshall County mine. The victim was caught between a locomotive and another rail car when they were struck by another locomotive.
WVCA’s Communications Director T. L. Headley is finalizing plans for the association’s new monthly television show, to be seen on West Virginia State Library Commission’s television network around the state. The initial video montage, music score and exit montage have been chosen. Headley is working to finalize a tentative list of guests and topics for the first season. See further updates for times and channel availabilities.
WVCA ‘s Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton testified this past week at MSHA’s public hearing on the agency’s mandatory drug testing rule. Hamilton complimented the agency for recognizing that individuals under the influence of alcohol or prohibited substances were a known safety hazard and generally supported the proposed rule but was highly critical of the rule as written serving to compromise existing company programs which provide for a “zero tolerance” policy.
Part IV – Items of General Interest -- Exported Coal Tax Refund Announcement 2008-103
