Registration is now open for the 22^nd Annual Hatfield Scramble Golf Outing, hosted by the Kanawha Valley Mining Institute. The scramble will be Tuesday, September 20, at the Brier Patch Golf Course in Beckley.

Monies collected from hole sponsorships support KVMI’s scholarship program!

For more information on the event Hatfield Scramble, call 304.414.4500. Thanks for supporting coal and thanks for supporting KVMI.

The Friends of Coal continue their outreach efforts with the following events:

• Manned a booth at the James River Coal Family and Friends Outing in Gilbert  August 13^th.
• Will man a booth at the West Virginia State Fair on August 17^thand 18^thin conjunction with FACES of Coal.
• Will sponsor the annual Paint the Capitol City Green event with Marshall University in Charleston, August 18
• Will participate in the Rally in the Valley August 18^thin Moundsville.
• Will participate in the Sharples Reunion August 20^thin Sharples.

A story about life in a small, humble West Virginia town dictated by the Coal Mines now becomes the Broadway bound 'Rocket Boys The Musical.' Author and West Virginia's native son, Homer Hickam, and the Broadway veterans participate in Opening Weekend, August 26, 2011

It all started as a short story in 'Air and Space Magazine' and is now headed for Broadway.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) August 16, 2011

The 1260-seat Theatre West Virginia welcomes 'Rocket Boys The Musical' for a huge and highly-anticipated run August 26 thru September 4, 2011! 
West Virginia's original "rocket boy" son and best-selling author Homer Hickam returns to his home state with the musical's creative team for a full-scale production. Homer Hickam and the Broadway veterans will actively participate in the opening Weekend.

Most of America’s metropolitan areas saw personal incomes rise last year, with the biggest increases coming in towns where the military thrives and oil and other mining interests dominate the private sector, according to a new government report.

But the gains in those towns may be only temporary, since the military is facing substantial cuts and the mining industry is grappling with new regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis released a report this week that found that personal incomes increased in 362 of 366 metropolitan statistical areas in 2010, rising overall by 2.9 percent after falling 1.9 percent the previous year.

West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said the rules are having a negative impact on power plants and pocket books of people in West Virginia.

By Courtney Clark
Email | Bio | Other Stories by Courtney Clark

CHARLESTON -- The Environmental Protection Agency's air quality rules and how they impact the coal industry are the focus of this year's West Virginia Coal Forum.

The event kicked off Wednesday morning at the Marriott in Charleston.

It featured United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, representatives of West Virginia's Congressional Delegation, members of the state Legislature and representatives of the coal industry.

West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said the EPA's "unrealistic rules, politics and time tables" are having a negative impact on power plants and pocket books of people in West Virginia.

"These negative impacts, they'd be bad on their own, bad at any time, but they really seem ridiculous today when the country's economy is absolutely in shambles," said Raney.

According to Raney, the rules not only affect West Virginia, but the entire country.

They also touched on other coal-related issues, such as the level of competitiveness and productivity of the industry, miner's health and safety issues, and the overall image of the coal industry.