CHARLESTON – Approximately 30 members of the House of Delegates took part this past Tuesday in the first meeting of the Legislative Coal Caucus – a bipartisan group of delegates who are either from coal-producing counties or who understand the importance of coal to our state’s economy. The event was hosted by the West Virginia Coal Association and Friends of Coal.

The group heard a presentation concerning the current state of coal in West Virginia and the nation as well as projections for the near- and mid-term future of the industry. The goal is to work together, across party aisles to craft legislation that will help West Virginia’s 63,000 coal mining families and our state’s most basic industry weather the current economic situation and set the stage for growth in the 21^st Century.

The next meeting of the WV Coal Caucus is scheduled for Monday, February 18.

CHARLESTON – The 2013 Regular Session of the West Virginia State Legislature convened for its opening day Wednesday, February 13. The session officially lasts from February 13 through April 13. The first real item on the agenda was the Governor’s State of the State Address, delivered that evening.

In his comments, Governor Tomblin outlined a broad, comprehensive agenda that includes education, public schools, inmate crowding and a challenging budget. He is also expected to discuss the steps the state will take to address the challenges faced by its primary industry – coal.

CHARLESTON – West Virginia's new Attorney General, Patrick Morrisey, is a breath of fresh air. This week he released a letter he has sent to President Obama that both asks for Obama's help in reversing the damage done by the EPA under departing Administrator Lisa Jackson and serving notice that his office will defend the state's primary industry if Obama chooses to ignore the needs of our state and flaunt the Constitutional limitations of his office, Morrisey vows to use all the powers of his office to challenge Obama.

CHARLESTON – The Association’s new bi-monthly newsletter, “The Portal,” is now available. It is being delivered primarily electronically but hard copies are being distributed to key organizations, businesses and other locations.To sign up for e-delivery of “The Portal” please contact us at 304.342.4153. We will soon have an electronic subscription widget available on our websites at www.wvcoal.com and www.friendsofcoal.org.

CHARLESTON – The March edition of “The Coal Seam” – the monthly West Virginia Coal Association television show, broadcast on the State Library Television Network and available statewide on public access channels – is now on the air. It features special guests WVCA President Bill Raney and Vice President Jason Bostic, who discuss the Friends of Coal organization as well as some brief information about the process of post-mining reclamation. You can also catch the show at the State Library Television Network website at http://www.librarycommission.wv.gov/programs/ltn/videoserver/Pages/coalseam.aspx. Choose the “Building Communities” episode at the top of the list. Previous editions of The Coal Seam are also available for viewing.