Though the Environmental Protection Agency declined to specifically comment on legislation proposed to shift more power into the hands of state officials, a spokesperson did provide further background on current permitting procedures.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin Thursday proposed the creation of a lieutenant governor. The purpose of the position is to address the issues created with the election of former Governor Joe Manchin to the U.S. Senate this past November.

The post would require a constitutional amendment and is part of Tomblin's proposal to solve a problem with the laws determining gubernatorial succession.

The governor made the proposal during a press conference Thursday afternoon in Charleston. Tomblin said he is putting together a panel to craft a proposal to go before the Legislature during the upcoming session.

Tomblin said he has three key goals in asking for the position of Lt. Governor to be created. First, he wants to clarify the state’s constitutional succession for the post of governor and to do so at as little cost to the taxpayer as possible. He also wants the position to have real constitutional authority, not simply a figurehead who only receives authority when the governor’s office must be unexpectedly filled.

According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), West Virginia 2010 production (thru week ending 12/25) is less than 1% behind last years’ total.  Northern WV is up by about 5% while southern WV is down by 3%.  Metallurgical exports for this year, through October, were up by more than 60% compared to 2009 (47.1m tons v. 29.3m tons), while steam coal exports were running 6.5% ahead of last year (19.9m tons v. 18.7m tons) for the same period.  2010 imports are down by nearly 14% (16.3m tons v. 18.9m tons). 

The West Virginia Coal Association website saw over 2900 visitors for the month of December.  The website saw over 7100 page views with 2.42 pages per visit.  Over 71% of all visits were from first time visitors.  Our visitors came from over 66 countries and territories with search engines bringing in over 76% percent of our total traffic.

The West Virginia Business & Industry Council (BIC) will once again hold weekly meetings throughout the regular Legislative Session.  This year the meetings will be held in the Governor’s Press Conference Room (next to the Secretary of State’s Office) each Wednesday beginning on January 19.  Unless communicated otherwise, each meeting will begin at 11:00 a.m.  If you wish to join any of the meetings, please let us know at the Association.