Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., introduced a House Resolution on October 8^th declaring that Congress recommends that the EPA hold the NSPS hearing in states "most directly impacted by the potential regulations."

"Failing to have a listening session in West Virginia on a rule targeting the use of coal at our existing power plants is absolutely wrong," Capito said. "Excluding all of the states that rely on coal the most from the listening process smacks of outright arrogance by the agency and is a transparent attempt to avoid hearing opinions that differ from the EPA's preconceived ideas."

A membership meeting is scheduled for Morgantown next Friday, October 18^th, beginning with lunch at the Waterfront Hotel.  This is our time to hear from the members as it regards issues and concerns as well as letting them know of activities going on at the State Capitol, throughout the agencies and in Congress.  We also want to review next year’s legislative program for the industry and seek input on possible candidates for the 2014 election.  We also have Jim Truman with Woods McKenzie tentatively scheduled to discuss the current coal market and what the future looks like for West Virginia and Appalachian coal.  If his schedule can be worked out, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, would like to also visit to discuss initiatives he is undertaking against EPA’s NSPS proposals for new and existing coal-fired power plants.  He has joined with 16 other Attorneys General in an aggressive letter to EPA emphasizing that the states should be in charge of these air quality programs.

A reception will follow the meeting and tickets remain for the WVU v. Texas Tech football game on Saturday.  If you’ve not already done so, please let Sandi know you will be attending, which makes sure we have adequate preparations for lunch and the reception.  The Association office telephone is 304-342-4153 and the email issdavison@wvcoal.com.  We hope to see you next Friday.

FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED ON MONDAY VIA E-MAIL – Bus Locations, Pick-up, etc.

Member companies and the Friends of Coal are joining with other state coal associations, Citizens for Coal, the Logan Coal Vendors Association and Count on Coal for a rally at the nation’s Capitol on October 29 beginning at 11 am.

Senior VP of WVCA, Chris Hamilton, was invited to testify before the National Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the Natural Resources Committee yesterday (Thursday, October 10, 2013).  The Hearing entitled, “EPA v. American Mining Jobs:  The Obama Administration’s Regulatory Assault on the Economy”, was well attended, even though it was very noticeable that most Democratic Senators left the conference room once testimony was given and were not available for the question and answer portion of the hearing.  Chris’ full testimony is included at end of Coal Bits.

Re: Testimony of Chris R. Hamilton, SVP, West Virginia Coal Association and Chairman, West Virginia Business & Industry Council as Presented to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources of the Congressional Natural Resources Committee Oversight Hearing on October 10, 2013.

Good afternoon!  I’m Chris Hamilton, Senior Vice-President of the West Virginia Coal Association and Chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council.  I appreciate the opportunity to participate in your meeting and discuss the actions or inactions of this Administration on West Virginia’s economy.

West Virginia just celebrated its 150th birthday and we've been mining for all of those 150 years.  We are without question one of the state's leading industries, if not the leading industry.  We have always provided good paying jobs, infused millions of dollars into local and state wide economies and have provided the region, state, country and world with low-cost, reliable power on a 24/7 basis. That's what we do.

As a state, we manufacture and export energy and power throughout the eastern part of our country and throughout the world. It enables millions of Americans to enjoy the freedom and the world’s greatest quality of life.

West Virginia is the second leading coal producing state, the country’s leading underground coal producing state and the US leader in coal exports, accounting for 50% of the US total.  We have consistently averaged between 150 – 160 million tons of annual coal production over the past several decades – until this Administration took office.

We ship coal to practically every state east of the Mississippi river and some 38-39 foreign destinations.