Staff Report , Parkersburg News and Sentinel

PARKERSBURG - Congressmen from West Virginia are riled over a representative's comments criticizing coal.
Rep. John Conyers, a Democrat from Michigan, said there was no such thing as clean coal and workers dependent on coal mining in West Virginia should find other work. Conyers, who has been in Congress about 50 years, spoke Wednesday on behalf of Lisa Jackson, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which has attempted to curtail coal usage through administrative rules, at the EPA's 2011 Environmental Justice Conference in Detroit.

http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/551345.html

The remarks of Representative John Conyers, (D-MI) on Wednesday(shown below this response) were some of the most offensive, hypocritical remarks I have ever heard. 

They were offensive because they were a direct affront to our wonderful coal miners, managers and their families in West Virginia. Our miners and managers are some of the most skilled and professional craftsmen in the world. They labor every day in a state they truly love and where they have chosen to pursue one of the most honorable professions in today’s working world. They are working everyday to bring light to America, provide for their families, educate their children, strengthen their communities and manifest the traditional work ethic of patriotic Americans. Yet, Representative Conyers flippantly suggests they should be laid off and seek alternative employment. 

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill Thursday that will increase the amount of coal severance tax money going to coal producing counties. The measure will dedicate a share of relevant severance tax revenues to the 30 or so counties that actively produce coal. In comments to the media, Mark Muchow, of the State Tax Department, noted that five of these counties account for more than half of the coal produced over the last 10 years: Boone, Mingo, Kanawha, Logan and Monongalia.

Starting in July 2012, the state will deposit 1 percent of severance tax revenues into a special account for these counties. The share will increase annually, a percentage point at a time, until it reaches 5 percent in as many years. The annual yield is also capped at $20 million after those five years.  Counties can draw down funds based on their share of the coal produced, but only for economic development projects and infrastructure.

"This is a good day for southern West Virginia, that's for sure," said Delegate Josh Stowers, a Lincoln County Democrat whose district also includes Logan and parts of Boone and Putnam counties. "This is a quality of life bill, when you start talking about the things that this money is going to go toward -- water and sewer and road repair, and some potential economic development."

The Sixth Friends of Coal Bowl will be held next week (September 4^th) in Morgantown.  We are excited about the nationally-televised game that will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

A Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday (September 3^rd) afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Waterfront Place Hotel to discuss timely topics within the industry as well as relevant activities being undertaken by Marshall  and WVU.  Jim Truman of Hill & Associates will discuss the current and anticipated trends in the domestic and worldwide coal markets.  Marshall University President Kopp and WVU President Clements will update us on the latest developments, research and activities related to our industry at their respective institutions.  And, officials from each of the University’s Athletic Departments will preview their expectations for the upcoming football and basketball seasons.  And, of course, time permitting we will discuss the status of issues currently facing the industry.

In an attempt to coordinate with the many activites surrounding the Bowl Game and Labor Day weekend, we will have the traditional Friends of Coal bowl Reception on Saturday evening, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Waterfront Place Hotel.  Our members and Friends of Coal from acrossWest Virginia will be joining members of the Legislature, state government leaders and officials from WVU andMarshall University for a “night before” celebration of school spirit and camaraderie.

Also, the Friends of Coal Tailgate Tent will begin at noon on Sunday and will be located in Tent City, next to the stadium.

After two special sessions, West Virginia lawmakers have finished redrawing the state’s legislative and congressional districts.

The Senate voted 15-14 Sunday to send Governor Earl Ray Tomblin a corrected redistricting plan for the House of Delegates. The House passed the bill 55-38 Saturday. Lawmakers ended the special session Sunday.

The “new” plan is much like the one approved during a five-day special session earlier this month but it addressed the issue of overlapped delegate districts in two counties that forced Governor Tomblin to veto the original bill. The House plan fixes the overlap errors. Delegates also approved minor changes to nearly half of its 67 districts. A court challenge by supporters of single-member districts is expected.