By Hoppy Kercheval

One of the debates going on in Washington is whether there is a war on coal.

Last week, just ahead of President Obama’s speech announcing his initiatives on global warming, an administration adviser dropped the “w” word. The New York Times reported that Harvard geochemist Daniel Schrag said, “Politically, the White House is hesitant to say they’re having a war on coal. On the other hand, a war on coal is exactly what’s needed.”

That prompted a denial this week from Energy Secretary Ernest Moinz. He told Reuters that coal will remain part of the energy mix. “I don’t believe it is a ‘war on coal,” Moinz said.

Coal in crosshairs

By CHARLES OWENS
Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD — Far-reaching climate change regulations proposed Tuesday by President Barack Obama could have a crippling impact upon southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia, industry officials and area lawmakers warned.

Obama, in a speech at Georgetown University, announced he was issuing a presidential memorandum — and thus bypassing congressional action — in launching the first-ever federal regulations on carbon dioxide emitted by existing coal-fired power plants. The Obama administration blames fossil fuels such as coal on global warming.

“In today’s announcement, President Obama called America’s reliance on coal a “mistake”, dismissing the accomplishments of generations of coal miners that have worked to make the United States the greatest country in the world.    

By announcing imminent restrictions on carbon emissions from power plants that exceed the capabilities of current technology, this administration will impose bureaucratic mandates with no regard for the people and communities of West Virginia that depend on coal and the inexpensive energy it creates for their very existence and survival.

On Thursday, amid West Virginia’s 150^th Birthday Celebration, Alpha Natural Resources dedicated its “state-of-the-art” Running Right Leadership Academy facility, just adjacent to their office building in Julian.  West Virginia’s First Lady JoAnne Tomblin was on hand with Alpha Chairman and CEO, Kevin Crutchfield, MSHA Administrator Joe Main, safety officials from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia as well as a number of dignitaries from the three states.  The impressive dedication ceremony was followed with tours of the entire facility and its amenities.  This culminated nearly two years of planning and construction for the one-of-a-kind facility that has nearly 3.5 acres under roof.

As part of an increasing focus on northern West Virginia, Friends of Coal will team up with Cabela's in Wheeling for Friends of Coal "Miner Appreciation" Days at the Wheeling store on June 26-29.  We hope to also be joined by Friends of Coal from Ohio and Pennsylvania. See Cabela’s press release.

The event will be part of Cabela's "Hometown Heroes" program with employee discounts for those attending and special recognition extended to all Friends of Coal during the four-day event.

Friends of Coal will have a tent on site throughout the event to provide our people with a place to relax and visit with other Friends of Coal while learning more about our industry.

If you are an avid outdoorsman mark June 26-29th on your calendar to join Friends of Coal in Wheeling to enjoy food, discounts, displays, and Coach Nehlen (Friday) to help bring positive attention to our great people and the importance of our industry to the tri-state region and the entire country.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN WHEELING**** If you have any questions or need additional information, please give us a call at 304-342-4153.