Coal operators, environmentalists ponder rebranding

By Taylor Kuykendall Register-Herald Reporter The Register-Herald Mon Dec 27, 2010, 12:03 AM EST

BECKLEY — Coal operators and environmentalists have been pondering the value of a name since the revelation that the coal industry may push for “rebranding” surface mining as “mountaintop development” instead of “mountaintop removal.”

The process of blasting the top of a mountain to obtain its underground coal reserves instead of digging a mine has been a much easier target for environmentalists since it has become known as mountaintop removal. However, coal industry executives say the term “mountaintop development” would paint a more accurate picture of the practice.

LOGAN – The Friends of Coal would like to thank the Father George Kostas; Pastor Mitchell Bias; John Roberts, executive director of the Mountain Mission, Debrina Williams of the Logan Chamber of Commerce and everyone else involved in last night’s interfaith service to honor those who work in our nation’s coal mines.

Our coal mining family has suffered loss and faced uncertainty this past year. We have faced an almost constant assault by an administration that puts political agendas ahead of people. Our families have been subjected to months of worry and fear – fear for their jobs, fear that they might lose their homes and their way of life.

We want to thank Father Kostas, Rev. Bias and everyone who came to the service last night. Your words gave us comfort. Your support gave us hope and lifted our hearts during this Holy Season.

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Certainly, its dependability is appreciated in Alberta clippers

With winter yet to begin, December found tens of millions of Americans struggling to cope with a record-breaking cold snap that affected huge areas of the nation.

In the Midwest, some motorists spent days trapped in pileups on snow-covered highways. In the South, some Floridians scrambled to save valuable crops like citrus fruits and strawberries, and others hastened to rescue hundreds of sea turtles reduced to a coma-like state by the cold. But most Americans had heat and light when they made it home after a long day. Those amenities go underappreciated until they go missing.

The West Virginia Coal Association hosted a meeting with newly-elected lawmakers prior to the 2011 regular session of the State Legislature.  The meeting drew several of the newly elected members, who discussed their goals and heard a short presentation about the importance of coal to the state’s economy.

The 2011 session of the Legislature begins at noon on January 12 and runs through mid-March. The Association has also scheduled a series of legislative forums sponsored by individual member companies (see calendar of events below).

The 2010 edition of Coal Facts 2010, both the traditional magazine format and a new tri-fold brochure, are now available.

The publication provides a summary of coal production and employment trends through the 2009 reporting year, as well as interesting features on coal history and methods of production, including an informative piece on surface mining, restoration and post-mine land use.

In addition, the publication provides a listing of environmental and safety award winning operations as well as profiles of our Coal Hall of Fame members.

If you would like a hard copy, give us a call at 304.342.4153 or e-mail:  sdavison@wvcoal.com