West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney took part in a panel discussion and presentation at the annual North American Coalbed Methane Forum May 21 in Canonsburg, PA.  Raney discussed the current state of the coal industry in West Virginia, spotlighting some of the major challenges the industry faces in the current regulatory climate. 

Raney said West Virginia coal miners were able to overcome these pressures in 2014, actually showing a slight increase in production despite significant layoffs, mine closures and permitting issues.

Joining Raney was the leaders of coal associations in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Robert Murray, President and CEO of Murray Energy was the keynote speaker pointing out the challenges faced by the industry going forward.  

West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney took part in a panel discussion and presentation at the annual North American Coalbed Methane Forum May 21 in Canonsburg, PA.  Raney discussed the current state of the coal industry in West Virginia, spotlighting some of the major challenges the industry faces in the current regulatory climate. 

Raney said West Virginia coal miners were able to overcome these pressures in 2014, actually showing a slight increase in production despite significant layoffs, mine closures and permitting issues.

Joining Raney was the leaders of coal associations in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Robert Murray, President and CEO of Murray Energy was the keynote speaker pointing out the challenges faced by the industry going forward.  

Leadership West Virginia, a leadership development program sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, held its annual coal session in Logan this past week. WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton took part in a panel discussion of the importance of coal to the state’s economy with a focus on the challenges faced by the industry today.

Joining Hamilton on the May 15 panel were: Kevin Craig, executive vice president of Natural Resource Partners, L.P.; David Ledford, president and CEO of the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation and Alan Stagg, president and principal economic geologist for Stagg Resource Consultants, Inc.

The group also toured Alpha Natural Resources’ Running Right Training Facility, the Highland Surface Mining Complex and the Logan County Airport, built on a former surface mine. In addition, the group heard a presentation by Appalachian Power Company President and COO Charles Patton on the EPA’s Clean Power Plan (CPP) and its impact on the economy.

The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary and Wren Miles from Caterpillar presented Leslie Gray Baker with an iPad to be used as an additional educational resource at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine.

Ms. Miles explained that the project has taken two years to develop but they wanted to make sure that all the content was accurate, engaging and specific to West Virginia.

The unique iPad kiosk is set up in the Museum area of the Rahall Company Store and with its interactive programming, it is sure to be a popular component of the Exhibition Mine experience.  There are touch pad segments on all aspects of the West Virginia coal industry.

Check out this new addition to the Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley.

The following students were presented with $500 scholarships by the FOC Ladies Auxiliary at their Mabscott offices:

New River Community Technical College:  Cassy Bashan (Summers County); Andrew Kiddle (Raleigh County); and, Adam Tygrett (Greenbrier County).

Academy of Careers and Technology:  Amanda James-Gill (Raleigh County); Haley Pettry (Raleigh County); and, April Stone (Raleigh County).

Valley College:  Heath Stover (Raleigh County); Rodney Prevette (Fayette County); John Hall (Mercer County); and, John Crites (Nicholas County).

Congratulations to all of these winners.