Press Release
POMINC.COM SPONSORS JJCR's Driven 2 Honor: KCA, OCA and WVCoal member Proactive Occupational Medicine, Inc. is proud to be a sponsor and active supporter of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series #10 Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and her Driven 2 Honor initiative starting at Daytona for 2015.
According to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA), coal production in the United States rose by slightly more than 500,000 tons for the week ending February 7, compared to the same time last year. Production for the week stood at 18.09 million tons compared to 17.54 million tons for the last week of January, 2014. For the 52-week period ending January 31, production was also up, to 997.68 million tons from 980.7 million tons last year.
The Executive Committee recently approved three new members who we enthusiastically welcome into our West Virginia Coal family. We appreciate the confidence of: Massie Reclamation, Inc. from Ghent WV with Steve & Charlie Massie as representatives; McGriff, Seibels & Williams, an insurance brokerage firm specializing in mining and energy business with Glenn McQuate as representative; and, Dean K. Hunt, Esquire out of Lexington, KY. We look forward to working with them in many capacities.
Wednesday was the halfway point for this Legislature’s 60-day session and Tuesday was a good day as SB 357, the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015, passed the full Senate by a 26-8 margin, without any major changes. This bill contains the mine safety issues (movement of equipment, drug testing changes, diesel commission repeal, track within 1,500 feet of face) and the environmental issues (permit as a shield, AL water quality standard rule, permit penalty conformance, inactive status, contemporaneous reclamation and impoundment standards ) of our original Legislative program. One major amendment was defeated that would have removed any changes to the movement of equipment provision of the bill with a vote along party lines with Senator Art Kirkendoll (D-Logan) breaking stride and voting with the Republicans. On Wednesday, the Bill was sent to the House and referred to the Judiciary Committee. It is expected to be taken up by that Committee next week.
CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal would like to thank the West Virginia Senate for passing Senate Bill 357, the Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015.
The bill, which will protect our existing coal jobs, improve safety and help lay the foundation to get our state's leading industry back into a competitive position in the world economy, was passed by the State Senate earlier today. The companion bill, HB 2566, is currently under consideration in the House of Delegates.
Please take a moment to thank the Senators that voted in favor of the bill's passage. The vote record is here:
We urge you to contact your members of the House of Delegates and ask them to pass HB 2566, the House version of this legislation. It is vital for the future of our industry, the tens of thousands of jobs that depend on mining and our state's economy.