The West Virginia Coal Association and our partners above believe the passage of H.R. 2273, the Coals Residuals Reuse and Management Act, sponsored by Rep. David McKinley (WV), is vital to the future of the coal industry, electric utilities and every industrial business in this country, as well as every American. Passage of this bill and HR 2018 would effectively rein-in the EPA’s three-year, job-killing assault against America’s basic industries and the millions of Ameri can families who depend on those industries every day.

“America is at a critical moment in its history -- our unemployment rate is over 9% percent and rising. Millions more are underemployed. Millions have lost homes, lost businesses and lost hope. While it is never a good time to destroy jobs, to de- liberately sacrifice jobs at such a time simply to impose a radical political agenda is unconscionable and unbelievable.

“We urge passage of HR 2273 and HR 2018 today! Let’s get America working again!” - Bill Raney, president, West Virginia Coal Association.

The Friends of Coal would like to congratulate Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on his hard-fought victory over GOP challenger Bill Maloney in yesterday’s gubernatorial race. Both men earned our respect for the way in which they conducted themselves in this election. 

While the debate was frank and open on many issues, there were far more areas of agreement than disagreement – on lowering taxes, on creating jobs and reining in an out-of-control federal bureaucracy, but most of all they agree on the importance of coal to the future of West Virginia.

With the election of Gov. Tomblin, our state will continue to move forward, as we sustain the fight against the real issues that confront us and work together to find the answers.  Gov. Tomblin has proven himself to be a strong, capable leader during his time in the State Senate and as Acting Governor.  We are confident, as governor, he will continue the fight to free our state's primary industry -- coal -- from the assault by the Obama EPA. 

We’re anxious to move forward together and take on the hard work of building a better future for our state and protecting our people’s jobs.

The WV Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety has issued a proposed rule purporting to update and revise the state mining law pertaining to hoisting equipment used at underground coal mining operations.  The rule is intended to bring West Virginia’s law on this subject into conformity with corresponding federal law.  A comment period extends to November 6.  A copy of the proposed rule is available from:  chamilton@wvcoal.com

The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary is excited to announce the opening of their new website www.friendsofcoalladiesaux.com which includes an online store. The website gives an in-depth view of the many projects the FOC Ladies Auxiliary is involved with to further enhance the public’s support and continued dedication in educating our citizens about the benefits of the coal industry.   The FOC Ladies Auxiliary also invites you to browse their new online store and hopes you will find that perfect gift for your company, employees, family and friends!

In a ruling released yesterday, a DC federal court judge blasted the EPA for exceeding its authority under the Clean Water Act with its implementation of “enhanced coordination procedures (ECP)” that effectively nullifed the authority of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The ECP has been used to obstruct the timely issuance of hundreds of mining permits in Appalachia since enacted in first months of the Obama Administration in 2009.
Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, said this is an important first step in turning back the EPA’s on-going assault on Appalachian coal.

“This ruling is clear and is a vindication that our statements over the past two-and-a-half years are valid,” Raney said. “We are hopeful that a similar ruling will be forthcoming on claims related to the agency’s illegal conductivity guidance.