U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air emission regulations have helped facilitate the closure or planned closure of more than 165 coal generating plants across the country, equating to over 22,000 megawatts of electricity. New Source Performance Standards being proposed by EPA will make it nearly impossible to build new coal-based power plants in the future. These regulations will further erode West Virginia’s coal economy.
The West Virginia Coal Forum, in partnership with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce, will conduct a meeting to discuss these greenhouse gas emission standards and the impact to our state and the nation from Noon – 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6th, in the Field House at Logan High School in Logan, West Virginia.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will headline the event and conduct a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 4346. Passed during the 2014 Legislative Session, the bill establishes a framework for the development of a state implementation plan for EPA’s new climate rules while preserving current fuel supplies and protecting West Virginia coal jobs.
A variety of local, state and regional experts and policy leaders will speak at the event, to include:
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Senators Art Kirkendoll and Ron Stollings
Delegates Rupert Phillips and Ted Tomblin
Bill Raney, WV Coal Association
Jeff Herholdt, WV Division of Energy
Roger Horton, Citizens for Coal
Chris Hamilton, Vice-President, WV Coal Association & Co-Chair, WV Coal Forum
Fred Tucker, UMWA, Co-Chair, WV Coal Forum
Seating is limited and reservations are required. To make a reservation please email Joel Watts at joel.l.watts@wv.gov. There is no cost to attend the event.
Stakeholders in West Virginia’s mining economy – business leaders, association representatives, local legislators and policy leaders – are encouraged to attend.
The West Virginia Coal Forum is an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry. For additional information, contact the West Virginia Coal Forum at (304) 957-2306, or visit the organization’s website at www.wvcoalforum.org.