According to information released by the West Virginia Division of Commerce in February, West Virginia coal exports grew by 40 percent last year, increasing from $5.3 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2012.  West Virginia coal accounted for 49 percent of U.S. coal exports in 2012. 

The West Virginia Coal Forum – an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry – will host a meeting to discuss the significance of coal exports to our state and national economies at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 11 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston.   

The WV Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety promulgated an "Emergency Rule" designed to close a major loop hole in the State's mandatory drug testing program.

The “Emergency Rule" promulgated by the Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety took effect July 1, extends the reporting and de-certification requirements in current state law to all individuals who fail a drug or alcohol test prescribed under state law.  Heretofore, only cases involving a positive drug test that resulted in discharge, will be reported to the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training for disciplinary action and suspension of mining certification privileges.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin today announced Jason Pizatella will serve as his Deputy Chief of Staff effective immediately.

Prior to this appointment, Pizatella was most recently serving as Acting Cabinet Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Revenue. In addition, the Fairmont native has been the Director of Legislative Affairs in the Governor’s Office since January 2011. Prior to joining the Tomblin Administration, he served as Deputy State Tax Commissioner and as counsel to the State Senate Committee on Government Organization and Committee on Finance. Before beginning his service in state government, Pizatella practiced law at Spilman, Thomas and Battle, PLLC in Charleston.

WVU has announced that the WVU-Virginia Tech football series will be renewed for a two-game series beginning in 2021. Originally, the Black Diamond Trophy for this rivalry was sponsored by Association member Rish Equipment.  The industry has many graduates from both schools who will be excited by the renewal.

By JOSELYN KING Political Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

WHEELING - The coal industry will flex its political muscle to influence who next will be in the White House and make certain carbon reduction policies announced by President Barack Obama will not soon be enacted, according to Chris Hamilton, vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association.

The president's plan to combat climate change will take at least three years to implement - and there is also most certain to be litigation to slow its path, Hamilton said.