The President of the West Virginia Coal Association says he's hoping those who attend the Coal Symposium at the Charleston Civic Center start viewing coal from a national perspective, not just in terms of the state’s economy.
"It's so vital not only to West Virginia, but to this entire country," Bill Raney says.
The symposium has scheduled over 20 speakers to give that national perspective including members of the state's own Congressional Delegation and Governor Joe Manchin. U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller spoke Wednesday, the Governor will speak Thursday, and Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore-Capito will give a presentation later in the week. Hal Quinn with the National Mine Association will also give the outlook for coal related policies coming out of Washington, D.C.