West Virginians overwhelmingly believe the state’s coal industry forms the economic bedrock of the state today and in the future, that it is doing a good job in its role as steward of the environment and that through technology the industry will continue to address environmental concerns.

These are the findings of a recent poll commissioned by the West Virginia Coal Association this past summer.

Bill Raney, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “This survey verifies what we have long believed – that state residents value the economic and social contributions of the coal industry in West Virginia.” 

“State residents want to see the industry do well and believe technologies will keep the industry and the jobs it provides viable, while maintaining a strong state economy in the process.”

Vernon Haltom, co-director of the Coal River Mountain Watch, recently threw out some statistics to the State Journal to buttress his argument that ending mountaintop mining in West Virginia “won’t ruin the economy and won’t put everyone out of work …” Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Mr. Haltom’s comments are both wrong and misleading.

Haltom said that the coal industry employs only five percent of the workforce (actually seven percent of the workforce is employed in direct mining jobs) in West Virginia.  What Haltom failed to mention is the inordinate economic impact of this workforce on the state’s economy relative to its size. 

West Virginia coal operators employ more than 6,000 surface mine workers.  The average annual wages of these miners are approximately $50,000 to $60,000. That’s a payroll of at least $300 million annually.  Moreover, each of these jobs supports five additional jobs comprised of contractors, transportation providers, repair and supply vendors, and other support services.  That’s a total of 30,000 jobs tied directly to surface mining in West Virginia.  The potential loss of these good jobs and the income taxes they generate for West Virginia is a nightmare we should not even contemplate.

Twenty mining operations have been honored for their outstanding 2007 safety records through the annual Sentinels of Safety awards program co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Mining Association.

 

A.S.J. “Andy” Southworth, III, Senior Vice President with Cecil I. Walker Machinery Co., was named United Way of Central West Virginia’s “Helping Hand” award winner, signifying him as volunteer of the year.

 

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP recently was honored as the #1 law firm for Mining Law in the United States by The Best Lawyers in American 2009.  For the second year in a row, Dinsmore & Shohl is recognized as having more lawyers listed in the field of Mining Law than any other firm in the U.S.

 

The WV Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training, has announced that applications to take the examination for Coal Mine Electrical Inspector are now being accepted.  All applications and the required work history must be returned to the Charleston MHS&T office by December 1, 2008, for the Board to review for this exam.  Must have at least 5 year practical electrical experience in coal mines, two (2) years must be in West Virginia mines.

For download of application and more information:  www.wvminesafety.org

On September 26, 2008, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published in the Federal Register, a notice of public hearing and extension of the comment period for the Alcohol-and Drug-Free Mines: Policy, Prohibitions, Testing, Training, and Assistance proposed rule.

MSHA will hold a public hearing on its proposed rule to amend the existing metal and nonmetal standards for the possession and use of intoxicating beverages and narcotics and make the new standard applicable to all mines.

Hearings will be held on October 14, 2008 via Webcast in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, PA, and Englewood (Denver), CO. Via audio only at The National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, WV and Birmingham, AL.

Comments on the proposed rule must be received by midnight October 29, 2008.

WVCA’s Health & Safety Committee is working on comments.

 

Apprentice miner Steven Cain, 32, of Comfort, died after being pinned between the wall and a supply car at Massey's Justice No. 1 mine in Boone County late Wednesday, said Jama Jarrett, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training. Cain worked for contractor Mountaineer Labor Solutions.

State mine inspectors and investigators with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration were planning to recreate the accident Thursday afternoon, Jarrett said. Seven West Virginia coal miners and 21 nationally have been killed on the job this year, according to government records.

 

The parent company of United Bank has named a coal industry veteran to its board of directors.  Gary White was added to the board of Charleston-based United Bankshares Inc. (also WVCA member). He is chief executive of International Resource Partners, parent company of Southern West Virginia mine operator International Resources LLC.

 

The State Journal reported that a U.S. District Court judge is presiding over an upcoming case involving a West Virginia environmental group that he once belonged to, although he said it has been at least a decade since he was a member of the group.

 

The West Virginia Coal Association and the State Library Commission are finalizing plans for a new monthly television show. The show will focus on the issues and news surrounding the coal industry. Filming will begin in late October with the first airing sometime in November.

 

Election 2008

Register to Vote -- If you are not registered to vote you simply can’t!  It is that simple! Thus, it’s imperative that you remind family and friends to register by October 14 -- the last day to register to vote in the General Election. 

A registration form can be downloaded from the Secretary of State’s website:  http://www.wvsos.com/
 
Early/Absentee Voting October 15 – November 1 – The early/absentee voting period begins on October 15th and runs through November 1st and may be done at the County Commission (County Clerk) or Circuit Court (Circuit Clerk).

Rick Clewett, co-chairman of the Cumberland Sierra Club political committee, in a recent op-ed piece criticized Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo for his efforts to develop the natural resources, economy and tourist trade in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

Clewett, a Lexingtonian, accused Mongiardo, who hails from Perry County, of being misguided in his vision for his home and being "willing to use his political muscle to have his way."

As a native of Leslie County, I reject the Sierra Club's vision for my home. The coal industry provides my family and the families of thousands of workers with interesting and challenging jobs that pay well.

Today, McCain-Palin 2008 released its latest radio ad, entitled "Clean Coal." The ad highlights the Obama-Biden energy plan that opposes coal and clean coal technology. For states like Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, that would mean thousands of lost jobs. Unlike Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the McCain-Palin "all of the above" energy plan will invest critical resources into developing clean coal technology and creating jobs.

On September 26, 2008, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published in the Federal Register, a notice of public hearing and extension of the comment period for the Alcohol-and Drug-Free Mines: Policy, Prohibitions, Testing, Training, and Assistance proposed rule.

MSHA will hold a public hearing on its proposed rule to amend the existing metal and nonmetal standards for the possession and use of intoxicating beverages and narcotics and make the new standard applicable to all mines.

Hearings will be held on October 14, 2008 via Webcast in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh, PA, and Englewood (Denver), CO via audio only at The National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beckley, WV and Birmingham, AL.

Comments on the proposed rule must be received by midnight October 29, 2008.

Shannon Atkins, a native of Boone County and an employee of the City of Charleston's City Manager's office, was the winner of the two Coal Bowl tickets. Atkins was born and raised in the coalfields and has been a member of the Friends of Coal for about two years.

We would like to thank those of you who took part in the drawing. We plan to continue with this kind of event and with others intended to energize and inform the members of the Friends of Coal.

...

The WVCA is holding a contest to give away two (2) tickets to the Coal Bowl in Morgantown Saturday between Marshall University and West Virginia University.
No purchase is necessary, all you have to do is fill out the form below.   A drawing will be held Thursday at 10am.

The Annual WVCA Fall Membership meeting will be held in Morgantown on September 26 – 27 at the Waterfront Plaza Hotel. This year’s annual meeting is focused around the 3rd Coal Bowl (WVU vs. Marshall) football game which is on Saturday, the 27th beginning at 3:30 p.m. The annual Friends of Coal Reception and Dinner will be held on Friday evening, September 26th, where the Legislature, government officials, Marshall and West Virginia University’s staffs are all invited.

The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute’s 19th Annual Hatfield Open will be held on September 16th at the Brier Patch Golf Club in Beckley with tee time at 11 a.m. SHARP. For those of you who have signed up to play it would be beneficial to you to be at the Club by 10 a.m. so foursomes can get lined out. Vendors are being asked to bring something for the prize drawings.