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COMMENTS ON STREAM BUFFER ZONE

The West Virginia Coal Association filed comments in response to the federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM)’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on the Stream Buffer Zone (SBZ) Rule and other related portions of the federal mining regulations. OSM announced its intent to revise or repeal the latest version of the SBZ Rule which was finalized in December of last year in the June 11, 2009 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OSM, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the Corps of Engineers and the White House Council on Environmental Quality regarding Appalachian Coal Mining.

The ANPR presents several possible revisions to the SBZ Rule and other mining regulations such as providing a national definition for “material damage” under SMCRA. The ANPR represents the first step in the federal rulemaking process and will likely be followed up with specific proposals from OSM to revise the relevant regulations mentioned in the ANPR.

For a copy of the Association’s 74 page comments submission contact click here.

Mountaintop Mining Op-Ed

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The following guest editorial by Hal Quinn is scheduled to appear in the Oct. 27th edition of USA TODAY in…

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Mingo Airport site shows what is possible with cooperation and vision

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Facility prime example of using former surface mine lands for economic developmentBy Chris HamiltonChairman, Coalition for Mountaintop MiningVARNEY, W.Va. –…

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Why Surface Mine?

By Gene Kitts, Senior Vice President-Mining Services, International Coal Group, Inc.Why do we surface mine in Central Appalachia? It’s certainly…

Moutaintop Mining Viewpoint

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Mountaintop Mining is a legal, highly regulated, and complex engineered earthmoving process for the surface mining of multiple steep slope…

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Defining Green (and Meaningful Net) Jobs

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The rush to save the American economy through the creation of so-called “green jobs” has started to spur research into…

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West Virginia Coal Education Week

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Coal Education Week

The last week of April (April 26 – May 2, 2009) will commemorate Coal Education Week in the Mountain State,…

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The West Virginia Coal Economy Study

Monday, 02/08/2010

Since the discovery of coal in Boone County in 1742 by John Peter Shirley, West Virginia has substantially benefited from the coal mining industry. Coal mining has been a significant part of West Virginia’s economy in terms of Gross Domestic Product, employment, wages, and tax revenues. The scope of this report is to quantify the economic impact of the coal mining industry on the West Virginia economy with special emphasis on 2008.

Attachments:
Download this file (BBER-2010-04.pdf) BBER-2010-04.pdf	[ ]	1056 Kb

VIDEO: Economist on Mining in Mountain State

Monday, 02/08/2010

Dr. Tom Witt discussed the impacts of coal in the mountain state, particularly on the economy.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/83604537.html

Mingo-Logan’s Mountaineer #2 and Simmons Fork Mining’s Ewing Fork #1 take top honors at 2010 Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards

Saturday, 02/06/2010
Awards presented during annual Coal Symposium in Charleston CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thirty-three West Virginia mining operations were recognized for stellar safety efforts in 2009 during the West Virginia Coal Association’s 37th Annual Mining Symposium on Thursday.   “All of our companies strive to meet the highest standards of safety.” West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said. “I wish we could recognize every single operation. These award winners are fantastic examples of the commitment to safety every one of our member companies shows on a daily basis.
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ICG’s Beckley-Pocahontas take top honors at West Virginia Environmental Awards

Saturday, 02/06/2010
Awards presented during annual Coal Symposium in Charleston 12 companies were recognized on Friday for excellence in mine reclamation for 2009. The awards were made at the concluding luncheon of the 37th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium Charleston Civic Center.  The awards are co-sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection. To be eligible, a mining operation must be nominated by their local state inspector.  The awards include special presentations for conservation. Ducks Unlimited presented the West Virginia Wetlands Award to   The Greenlands Award, the state’s top environmental award, went to the International Coal Group’s Beckley-Pocahontas facility in Raleigh County. In making the award, West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney said, “The construction of the facility involved the remediation and reclamation of a pre-law coal refuse site. ICG has proven its commitment to the environment and clearly shows the steps our industry will take to get the coal out of the ground while protecting our natural beauty.”
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