After years of work and devotion, the Friends of Coal Soccer Complex at Trace Fork, located next to the South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena and adjacent to the Target store in the Southridge shopping area, along Corridor G south of Charleston, is ready for official dedication on Sunday. I hope many members of the Association and lots of Friends of Coal will attend the afternoon ceremony to commemorate the extensive work done by our members in bringing this dream to reality.
The 2012 Regular Session of the Legislature adjourned late Friday afternoon, March 16th, with approval of the budget bill for fiscal year 2013, beginning this July. During the 60 days there were 2,029 bills introduced by both the Senate (678) and the House (1,351). Of those, 113 Senate bills and 101 House bills, for a total of 214 bills were passed and completed legislative action.
We appreciate everyone who joined together with us at the Association in defense of the coal industry throughout the 60-day session. Those collective efforts resulted in the passage of the following bills as well as preventing passage of many bills that would have negatively affected our industry. Again thanks to all who assisted, both in the Capitol and from your homes and offices.
A summary of bills that passed, as well as those which did not, that were of concern and relevant to the industry is available at the Association office, 304-342-4153.
The recent flooding in Logan County has once again shown how the family of coal steps up to the plate in times of need. Several of our member companies and their employees have donated time, equipment, supplies and money to the relief effort.
Much work remains, estimates indicated as many as 500 homes have been affected by the flooding, many may no longer be habitable. Mud Fork Road in Logan remains almost impassable and hundreds of families continue to need clothing and other basic supplies.
If you would like to contribute or volunteer to help, we ask that you contact the Association.
The combination of the anti-coal policies of the Obama Administration and the EPA along with the lingering impacts of a worldwide economic downturn and a mild winter continue to pushU.S. coal production lower, while West Virginia production remains flat.
According to NMA, coal production is off nationally by 1.4 percent year-over-year for the 52 weeks ending March 17 – with just 1.07 billion tons produced. In West Virginia, production remains down 1.1 percent from this time last year – with state mines producing 134.1 million tons compared to 136.7 million tons a year ago.
Looking long-term, monthly raw steel production in the U.S.continues to trend upward slightly, up approximately 6.9 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, electricity output in the U.S is off 1.5 percent.
Adjutant General James Hoyer, commanding general of the West Virginia National Guard, is this month’s guest on The Coal Seam, the Association’s monthly television show. Hoyer joined host Chris Hamilton to discuss the development of Joint Base West Virginia and the partnership with the coal industry in developing unique training opportunities to better prepare our soldiers and airmen for service around the world.
The show will begin airing next week on your local cable system and on the Library Television Network. Check your local listings for air times.
The show is also available on the West Virginia Library Commission website http://www.librarycommission.