Statement from Bill Raney, President – West Virginia Coal Association – regarding the release of the Report from the Governor’s Independent Investigation Panel concerning the Upper Big Branch mine explosion:

“It’s appropriate and right that the first focus of the report is on the miners themselves – the 29 men who were lost that terrible day and the one miner who is seriously injured – because we must never forget that they and their families have paid a terrible price.

“We welcome the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the report and will be reviewing it in detail in the days and weeks ahead. We also look forward to the other three reports that will be issued this year so that everyone can get as full a picture as possible as to the causes of this explosion and take steps to ensure that our mines are operated safely every single day.

“That’s our goal and there have been great strides made over the years to improve safety and working conditions. But we know that we must continue those advancements and we’ll be working with a wide range of interested parties to achieve those objectives.”

MetroNews

West Virginia Coal Association Chairman Gary White says if the coal industry isn't crippled by federal regulators, bright days could lie ahead.

http://www.wvmetronews.com/news.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=45439

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Some of the nation's fuels would be required to contain a minimum volume derived from coal under a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia said Thursday that using coal to produce fuels for vehicles, machinery and aircraft would further reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil. She says it also would create good-paying jobs and increase the nation's energy security.

Democrat Nick Rahall is a co-sponsor of the bill.

MetroNews - May 11, 2011

Speakers from the Appalachian coalfields delivered a scathing rebuke to the federal EPA during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C. Wednesday.   The subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held the public hearing EPA mining Policies; Assault on Appalachian Jobs Part II.

Among those testifying was West Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Steve Roberts who told committee members the threat to the West Virginia coal industry through actions of the Obama administration is severe.

WV Gazette
John McCoy

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. -- The head man at West Virginia's New River Gorge National River park minces no words when it comes to the sprawling Boy Scout center being developed nearby.

"This is absolutely a game-changer for West Virginia, and also for the New River Gorge area," said Don Striker, the park's superintendent.

Developers of the Summit Bechtel Family National Scouting Reserve expect it to attract roughly 100,000 people a year to the gorge. Striker expects the influx of visitors to dramatically raise the park's profile.