The Association has taped the next two episodes of “The Coal Seam. The first episode, which will run through the month of June, features a report of the Governor’s signing of HB4346 in Logan. We also taped an episode of The Coal Seam with WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey discussing the climate regulations and their impact on the state and nation. The show with AG Morrisey will be broadcast during the month of July.  The Coal Seam is hosted by WVCA Senior VP Chris Hamilton and can be viewed on the West Virginia Library Channel network, your local public access channel (Suddenlink Channel 17), or on either of these links:  http://www.librarycommission.wv.gov/programs/ltn/videoserver/Pages/coalseam.aspx and/or our webpage at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjs-uw35-LiT_6lRc7Bh9yxCjC9Hv2xHW&feature=mh_lolz

The Association’s outreach to civic and professional groups across the state continued with the Barboursville and Huntington Rotary Clubs at the Guyan Country Club in Barboursville.  Senior VP Chris Hamilton and Friends of Coal Spokesman and former Marshall University Head Football Coach Bobby Pruett talked to the group about the role coal plays in the economy of West Virginia and the impact the EPA’s GHG rules will have on the industry and by extension the economy of the state. Chris also spoke at the annual Coalbed Methane Group Meeting in Morgantown May 21st.

President Bill Raney and Citizens for Coal spokesman, Roger Horton, announced the industry PAC’s, West Virginians for Coal, endorsement of Shelley Moore Capito for United States Senate at a media event in eastern Kanawha County on May 5th, the day before the Primary Election. 

The Legislature made quick work of approving corrections to the minimum wage bill that had been passed during the Regular Session, but was subsequently vetoed by the Governor because of problems with federal exemptions and other items, which were corrected in this passed version.  Several appropriation bills were also passed to address specific funding concerns that had been identified in the previously approved budget. 

In addition, the Legislative leadership announced dates for the 2014 and January 2015 Interim Meetings, in Charleston.  June 16-18, no meetings in July or August, September 8-10, October 20-22, November 17-19, December 15-17 and January 11-13, 2015.  The 2015 Regular Session will begin on Wednesday, January 14th. 

According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly production report, year-to-date U.S. metallurgical exports through March 2014 were down 7.2% as compared to the same period last year (16.9mt v. 18.2mt) and steam coal exports were off by 19% (10.8mt v. 13.4mt). Coal imports were up by 71.4% for the same year-to-date period (2.5mt v. 1.4mt). West Virginia’s 2014 year-to-date production, through 5/17, was down 0.8% statewide when compared to the same period in 2013 (44.9mt v. 45.3mt), with northern WV production down 0.7% (16.4mt v. 16.6mt) and southern WV was off 0.9% (28.5mt v. 28.7mt). U.S. year-to-date production through 5/17 was down 0.4% (370mt v. 371.3mt). There were 114,881 railroad cars loaded last week in the United States.

Earlier this week: Congressman David McKinley’s amendment was approved to the National Defense Authorization Act that will prevent the Department of Defense from spending any money to implement the Obama Administration’s climate change agenda.  Congressman McKinley said, “We should be focusing on our national security, not an ideological crusade!”