Tim Miley, Democrat from Harrison County (48th Delegate District) was elected as Speaker of the WV House of Delegates to replace Rick Thompson (D-Wayne County), who was named Secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Assistance last month.  Miley’s term as Speaker is for the remainder of the current 81st Legislature, which continues through this calendar year and next.   Tim was first elected to the House in 2004 and has served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee for the past five years.  He lives in Bridgeport, WV with his wife Susan and daughter Jordin.

Speaker Miley won by a margin of 53-44 against House Minority Leader Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha).  The vote followed party lines, except for Democratic Delegate Ryan Ferns (Ohio County-3rd District), who voted for Armstead, and, of course, Miley who voted for Armstead and vice versa. The Governor called the House of Delegates into Special Session Tuesday for the specific purpose of electing a Speaker.  Following the election, the House adjourned sine die as many members headed for Wheeling, where the monthly Legislative Interim Committee Meetings were held.

Also, on Tuesday, Governor Tomblin appointed retired banker, Tim Kinsey, to replace former Speaker of the House Rick Thompson as the Delegate from Wayne County’s 19th Delegate District.

At the June 20 Tug Valley Mining Institute (TVMI) dinner meeting five 2013 scholarship recipients were named.  The two top $6,000 scholarships were awarded to Austin Banks, Mingo Central High School and Gideon Workman, Belfry High School.  Three $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Sydney Chapman, Mingo Central High School, Casey France, Logan High School and Courtney Lester, Mingo Central High School.

Dr. Christopher Bise, WVU Professor and Robert E. Murray were guest speakers.

Over the last seventeen years, TVMI has awarded 99 (ninety-nine) students $228,250 in scholarship monies.  Applications are available in November and may be obtained from Marsha Williams at the First National Bank of Williamson or from TVMI board members.  The scholarships are open to students from Mingo, Logan, Wayne counties in WV and Pike & Martin counties in Kentucky.

The Portal is now available on line at: www.friendsofcoal.org and may be downloaded for easy viewing.  This 3^rd issue has more information regarding the Cabela’s event as well as a news release from the WV Development Office showing WV leading the nation in coal exports.

The Portal was sent to ALL Friends of Coal members via e-mail on Wednesday, June 19^th.

Demand is there, but W.Va. suffering from cuts in production

WHEELING - The coal industry's troubles have been well documented over the past few years, but West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Chris Hamilton said he believes the worldwide need for coal can provide the industry somewhat of a silver lining for decades to come.

"There is a tremendous need for coal to be exported, but there is no guarantee we will be providing it," Hamilton told the Rotary Club of Wheeling on Tuesday.

He cited both positive and negative factors influencing today's coal industry.

McKinley Defends Coal Exports Against Witness Who Says Coal Should Stay “In the Ground”

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday at a hearing on exporting American coal and natural gas, Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) took on a witness with extreme anti-coal views and pointed out the devastating impact his position would have on the economy of West Virginia and the United States.

“Opponents of coal exports talk about the impact on climate change, but their true goal is to stop using coal,” said Rep. McKinley.  “This would destroy thousands of jobs in West Virginia and across the country and send utility bills skyrocketing. Coal exports are critical to the health of our economy.”