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.

Click on the slide!

Mountaintop Mining Op-Ed

News >> Latest

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

More...
Click on the slide!

Mingo Airport site shows what is possible with cooperation and vision

News >> Latest

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

More...
Click on the slide!

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…

Click on the slide!

Moutaintop Mining Viewpoint

News >> Latest

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

More...
Click on the slide!

Defining Green (and Meaningful Net) Jobs

News >> Latest

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

More...
Click on the slide!

West Virginia Coal Education Week

News >> Latest

Coal Education Week

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

More...
Frontpage Slideshow (version 2.0.0) - Copyright © 2006-2008 by JoomlaWorks
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)

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.
Read more...
 
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.” 
Read more...