MORGANTOWN --- WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton continued the Association’s public outreach efforts regarding the EPA’s GHG regulations and their impact on West Virginia with two events this week in the northern part of the state.
On June 4, Hamilton spoke to about 60 people at the Moundsville Rotary meeting. Then on June 5, Hamilton spoke to about 100 more at the Morgantown Rotary meeting. The events received good media coverage coming on the heels of the EPA’s announcement of its new existing source regulations this week.
"There are separate rules that deal with the health effects of coal combustion. This has nothing to do with asthma, heart, circulatory, or respiratory issues," said Hamilton. “The proposed rule calls for a 30% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions from existing plants by 2030. Many coal supporters believe the rule isn't economically feasible or necessary.
"We can take out every single coal fired plant in this country, that's operating today, and virtually have nil impact on world climate issues," said Hamilton.
Mike Roberts is a Morgantown Rotary Club member who was at Thursday's event. He said, "It's great to have someone here because the issue is so important to the state of West Virginia and to all of our people who work in the coal industry."
Morgantown Rotary Club President Janette Gidley said, "It's imperative that individuals like this come in and speak at Rotary so we know what the issues are.
"People need to realize household electric rates are going to go up,” Hamilton told attendees.
"Everybody in West Virginia needs to stand up, support the coal industry, and not take this lying down" said Roberts.
The United Mine Workers of America believes if the rule is passed 75,000 mining jobs in the United States will be lost within five years.