By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter - email
During a panel discussion entitled "Obama's No Job Zone," coal industry leaders decried President Obama's energy and environmental policies at the West Virginia Coal Symposium Friday morning.
The discussion opened with Josie Gaskey, director of the Pennsylvania Coal Association. Her state's industry, she said, faces problems from the "overreach" of various regulatory agencies at the federal level.
By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter - email
At a meeting of the West Virginia Coal Association Friday morning, Kentucky and Ohio industry officials called for answers as to why a natural gas company has been funneling money to groups who are fighting the coal industry on environmental and health grounds.
Bill Bissett, president of the Kentucky Coal Association, spent the last few minutes of his presentation to West Virginia coal miners and industry executives discussing his disgust with Chesapeake Energy for their funding of anti-coal campaigns.
CHARLESTON - State and national leaders, have been joining with energy experts and regulatory officials in addressing representatives of the state's coal industry during the 39th annual West Virginia Coal Association Mining Symposium. The 2012 Symposium concludes Friday at the Charleston Civic Center.
Friday's session features Senator Manchin discussing his outlook for the on going challenges with EPA's permitting process. West Virginia Coal companies will be recognized for their Environmental Restoration Awards today.
The West Virginia Mining Symposium continued in Charleston Thursday and Governor Tomblin was there holding up one of the promises he made in his State of the State Address.
His administration is introducing a mine safety bill. Some key components are mandatory drug testing of all miners, including pre-employment testing, requiring employers to report when workers are let go because of violations, even if they just refuse, and giving employees 30 days to notify the state if they've been convicted of a drug related crime.
By Taylor Kuykendall, Reporter - email
Though the coal industry may face a tougher crowd at the federal level, West Virginia officials are embracing the industry.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Senate President Jeff Kessler both talked up their dedication to coal at the West Virginia Coal Association's symposium Thursday.
"Coal has been the backbone of our economy for 100 years and will continue to for many years to come, to be an important of our economy in West Virginia," Tomblin said, thanking the industry representatives for their roles in the state's success.