COAL IS PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

With the Primary Election coming up on Tuesday,  the crew from American's for Balanced Energy (ABEC) and the American's Power Grassroots Support Team (www.americaspower.org) are in West Virginia following Presidential candidates Obama and Clinton. With the Primary Election coming up on Tuesday,  the crew from American's for Balanced Energy (ABEC) and the American's Power Grassroots Support Team (www.americaspower.org) are in West Virginia following Presidential candidates Obama and Clinton.  They plan to meet with the Association and several individual members over the next four days as they spent Thursday in Huntington, where the Herald Dispatch and WSAZ Television conducted interviews.  After being in Charleston on Friday, they will travel to  Parkersburg on Saturday with the Friends of Coal motorcycle.  Their two vans are easily identified with the "Clean Coal" logo.  ABEC and American's Power have been following the Presidential candidates through all the primary and caucus states in order to bring attention to the importance and value of coal to our nation's energy structure.  Invite them in when you see them as we appreciate them being here to bring national attention to our great West Virginia industry and its people.

            Earlier this week, Illinois State Representative Dan Reitz contacted the Association to find out what was important to the industry and its future as he was here representing the Obama campaign.  As we understand, Reitz worked for several years in the Illinois coal industry as he was sensitive to the importance of a healthy coal industry.  Most people are waiting to see how serious and practical the Presidential candidates are for recognizing the true value of coal to the future energy security of this nation.  Reitz was told our people want to continue mining coal in West Virginia so they can be close to their families and where they grew up. Any national policy that disrupts their lifestyle and their profession would be wrong.