Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} August 26, 2010 (Charleston, WV) – The West Virginia Coal Association, Citizens for Coal, the Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security (FACES of Coal), as well as several allied citizen and coal advocacy groups, will participate in a press conference and gathering held on September 15 on the grounds of the United States Capitol. The gathering will celebrate the American Coal Miner and the contribution coal and coal mining makes to our nation’s energy security and economic stability. Current regulatory challenges, coupled with ill-informed public opinion and damaging legislation are threatening the viability of coal mining throughout the United States and particularly in West Virginia.
“We plan to highlight the critically important role of the American coal miner and to call on lawmakers and administration officials to discontinue efforts to regulate the coal industry – and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it provides – out of business,” said Chris Hamilton, senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association and co-chair of the Mountaintop Mining Coalition. “West Virginia’s congressional delegation understands the importance of coal to our local economies and national energy plan, but many federal legislators and bureaucrats do not.”
A recent study by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s Minority Staff highlighted the economic effect of the Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing moratorium on coal mining permits in Central Appalachia. According to the study, nearly 18,000 new and existing jobs and more than 80 small businesses are being jeopardized by the unlawful policy the EPA and the Corps have applied to the 190 permits still awaiting action in mid-May.
“In Appalachia, we mine one-third of the nation’s coal and are responsible for nearly two-thirds of American coal-related jobs,” Hamilton said.
Bryan Brown, West Virginia coordinator for the FACES of Coal campaign, said, “We need Congress to understand the vital role coal plays in America and its economic impact in West Virginia. Selective regulation that only impacts coal mining in Appalachia, like unattainable water quality standards and biased legislation like the Cardin-Alexander Bill, will cripple our regional economy and increase the use of foreign energy sources. We need the public to join us in Washington, DC to send this message loud and clear.”
The gathering celebrating the American coal miner is being held on September 15, 2010 at Russell Park on Capitol Hill. The event begins at 9:30 am with supporters attending from West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio. Anyone interested in attending the rally or joining the bus caravan is asked to call the West Virginia Coal Association at (304) 342-4153.