Most people do not realize that for more than 40 years the federal government has been subsidizing the development of wind and solar energy to produce electricity. So far, federal subsidies for renewable energy total more than $100 billion. This is almost five times the size of the budget for the state of West Virginia.

These subsidies tilt the energy playing field by giving special tax breaks to companies that build and operate wind and solar facilities. One of these is called a production tax credit, which is used mostly by wind developers, and the other is an investment tax credit, which subsidizes mostly solar installations. These tax credits make wind and solar less expensive to build and operate than they would be without subsidies.

If you haven’t already registered, please sign-up to attend the 2019 West Virginia Mining Symposium and National Coal & Energy Conference.  This year’s program is set for November 12^ththrough 14^th at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center and promises to be the best ever featuring speakers to highlight “International Coal Markets”, “Carbon Control Technologies” and “Alternative Coal Usage” 

Presenters for this segment of the Symposium include Lou Hrkman, Dep. Asst. Secretary for Clean Coal and Carbon Mgt (USDOE), Nicholas (Nick) Cron, Vice President – Portfolio Optimization & Marketing, Xcoal Energy & Resources, Randall Atkins, Ramaco Resources, Dick Bajura, WVU Energy Institute, Kevin Whited, Domestic Synthetic Fuels and Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz (WVU)

The Association’s summer environmental conference has been scheduled for July 24, 2019 at the Conference Center & Inn at Flatwoods, W.Va.  Association staff will be joined by representatives of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal Office of Surface Mining and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife to update the membership on relevant environmental regulatory and topics. 

A more precise agenda will be provided in advance of the meeting. 

Attendance at the meeting is free for WVCA members. 

Jun. 07, 2019 - 7:20 - West Virginia Coal Association VP Chris Hamilton expresses his disappointment at former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for going after coal miners.

While we’re in the process of finalizing the specifics for this year’s Annual Meeting Program I want to encourage you to make your hotel reservations at The Greenbrier for August 1-3, 2019. You can reach The Greenbrier Hotel at 304-536-1110 and please mention you are with WVCA. The two and one-half days will follow the same general format with the usual array of national and state speakers bringing us up-to-date on a variety of timely topics pertinent to our markets and operations.

After you’ve made your reservations, we’d appreciate you returning the attached “2019 WVCA Registration Form” to Sandi Davison (sdavison@wvcoal.com) so we can make sure the plans for each of the great events are accurate. Part of the Association Registration Form is a sponsorship form (also to be returned to Sandi) for the Welcoming Reception and/or door prizes, awards or other event sponsorships (fun run, golf, non-golfer event, kids’ corner on Kate’s Mountain, and any other ideas you might have) you and your company might want to do this year.

Here’s a reminder for those of you who are familiar with the general schedule for the traditional Annual Meeting and a short summary for those who will be first-timers. Of course, we’ll open the gathering with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors’ meetings on Thursday afternoon, August 1st, followed by the popular Welcoming Reception (6:00 pm) that evening sponsored by our Associate members. Dinner is on your own this evening so you should make reservations for your favorite venue.

The next morning, Friday, August 2nd, immediately following the Fun Run/Walk, (6:30 am) our technical program will begin right after the 7:30 a.m. breakfast. After the technical program, golfers will be ready for their annual tournament (11:30 am), while the non-golfers’ program will be held along with the tennis tournament and, of course, personal, family time at the pools, shooting range, fishing, bowling or just hanging out in the Hotel during the afternoon. That evening, beginning at 7:00 p.m., will be the ever-favorite Friends of Coal Party on Kate’s Mountain with our longtime DJ, Mayonnaise, and a wonderful evening of camaraderie and family time of tremendous eating, visiting and dancing, with a special Kids Corner for the children, during the cocktail hour.

We’ll get another early start on Saturday morning with the 8:00 a.m. technical program immediately followed by our Chairman’s Brunch (11:00 am) featuring a large array of door prizes, the Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary and a friendly insight by Governor Jim and First Lady Cathy Justice about their first two and one-half years as the state’s First Couple. As usual, we will then be entertained by a nationally-renowned speaker. Over the next few weeks we will provide the specific speakers for our technical programs and the Chairman’s Brunch.

We’re looking forward to another great event for all of us and our families as we gather with a lot of our great friends at one of our favorite places. If you have questions or need more information, please let us know by contacting Sandi at her home in Greenbrier County (304) 392-5502 or cell (304) 419-0286. Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at the Greenbrier in less than six weeks.