WVCA will participate in the FACES’ (Federation for American Coal Energy and Security) Appalachian Coal Jobs rally tomorrow (June 2) in Abingdon, Virginia at the Washington County Fairgrounds with Governor Bob McDonell and Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith headlining the event. Although unable to attend the rally,  West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and United States Senator Joe Manchin have provided strong letters of support to protect our industry, its miners and our families from the federal administration’s  “War on Coal.”  Two bus-loads of supporters from the Citizens for Coal will depart Logan early tomorrow morning and join the anticipated large crowd for an 11:00 a.m. kick-off.  The event will focus on EPA’s “War on Coal”, it’s ridiculous air rules and, what our people call an underhanded EPA three-year moratorium on new surface mining permits in Appalachia.  In addition to West Virginians, large contingents are expected from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and possibly Alabama.  Virginia is a “swing state” for this fall’s Presidential election and is very important to helping stop the “War on Coal.”  Hope to see you in Abingdon tomorrow…

Please ask Senators Rockefeller and Manchin for their HELP in (1) controlling EPA and, (2) HELPING to protect our jobs, our way of life and our future. Ask them to HELP with two major issues that are currently pending in Congress that are very important to our industry, our people and the entire State of West Virginia. We need to get as many messages of support as possible to the Senators. The two issues are:

A very special thanks to Rocky Hackworth with Pritchard Mining for his participation in the State Baseball tournament.  Rocky was on hand to present the Friends of Coal trophies to the champions in each of the three classes, as well as the personal plaques for each member of the championship and runner-up teams,  The 2012 High School Baseball championships are being held at Power Park in Charleston and run through Saturday.  Thanks again Rocky!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR KENTUCKY COAL

At the request of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the United States EPA will conduct hearings in Frankfort on June 5 and in Pikeville on June 7, regarding EPA’s specific objections to 36 individual KPDES permits for new or expanded surface coal mining operations in eastern Kentucky.

The EPA objections have prevented the issuance of all individual Clean Water Act (CWA) for more than two years. The economic effect of the EPA’s objections has been significant in that the 19 most recent objections alone are estimated to have cost Kentucky some 3,800 coal-related jobs and more than $123 million in lost coal severance taxes.

The 2012 Friends of Coal Auto Fair is set for July 20 – 22 at the Beckley YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Center.  Saturday Night Concert line-up is Ronnie Dunn with special guest James Wesley and is being sponsored by Alpha Natural Resources.  For Concert tickets, pre-registration for the car show and vendors, please go to:  http://www.friendsofcoalautofair.com/