Lower production reflects hostile policy, not lack of reserves
Charleston Daily Mail - Commentary
A recent story by Associated Press reporter Dylan Lovan regarding coal production in Appalachia contained enough fact to create a headline, but the facts were lost amidst erroneous statements and distortions.
Lovan asserted that - based on a report by the U.S. Department of Energy and another "study" by a Morgantown-based anti-coal advocacy group - that coal production in the Central Appalachian region is in the midst of an irreversible decline.
Lovan further asserted that this decline is the result of the rapid depletion of quality coal reserves in the region, and that the anti-coal policies being pursued by the Obama administration through its regulatory agencies has little do to with the decline.
Coal Communities Applaud Decision: An Important First Step in Ending Agency’s War on Coal
CHARLESTON – In a ruling released today, a DC federal court judge blasted the EPA for exceeding its authority under the Clean Water Act with its implementation of “enhanced coordination procedures (ECP)” that effectively nullifed the authority of the US Army Corps of Engineers. The ECP has been used to obstruct the timely issuance of hundreds of mining permits in Appalachia since enacted in first months of the Obama Administration in 2009.
First deliveries of the new state-issued plates will be in the mail next week
CHARLESTON – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin officially delivered the first batch of the new state-issued Friends of Coal license plates during a May 6 presentation in Charleston. The plate, the first in the state’s history to be any color other than white, is black with white lettering and a white Friends of Coal logo on the left side. Tomblin unveiled the plate during the joint spring meeting of the West Virginia Coal Association and the West Virginia Mining Institute.
“I hope these plates will be an ambassador of the state and of the state’s coal industry,” Tomblin said, adding that he hopes it makes people from other states take a moment to think about the importance of the coal industry and the hard work that goes into keeping America’s lights burning.
Warren Hylton, of Patience Coal and one of the founders of Friends of Coal, was presented with the first plate. Also receiving plates were former Marshall University Head Football Coach Bobby Pruett and former West Virginia University Head Football Coach Don Nehlen, WVCA Chairman Gary White and Association President Bill Raney among others.
“This is a fitting tribute to our working coal miners,” Raney said, “and to every one of those 63,000 West Virginians who work in the state’s coal industry. “
February 1 is right around the corner and that means the Annual WV Mining Symposium begins. Registration is already over 500, but there is always room for a few more. A registration form is attached and the agenda for the complete two and one-half days is below. We have a great group of speakers, a full vendors venue, wonderful food and lots of awards to be announced. So, PLEASE pre-register so your nametag will be ready when you arrive and we will have good, up-to-date numbers to give to the caterers, as well as for seating.
With the January 28 filing deadline now only eight days away, the field is filling for the May 8 West Virginia primary election. In the presidential race only GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney has filed along with two lesser-known candidates.
Senator Joe Manchin has filed to run for a full six year term. Manchin’s opponent in last year’s special election, John R. Raese has also filed, setting up a rematch.
Faces of Coal has released a new video “At a Loss for Words” that shows the damage being done to the region’s economy by the EPA’s on-going war on coal. The video features Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky, State Senator Art Kirkendoll of Logan and several working coal miners and community leaders discussing the threat posed by the EPA’s regulatory onslaught. The video can be viewed at the FACES website at http://www.facesofcoal.org/index.php?videos&yv=jpdq-9_Ialg.
Please note the change of date for the monthly KVMI Meeting initially set for February 2 has now been moved to Thursday, February 9 to avoid conflict with the WV Mining Symposium.
According to the EIA’s weekly energy report, domestic coal production continues to trend slightly upward, rising approximately 0.2 percent for the 52 weeks ending January 14, with a total of 1.08 billion tons produced for the period. The nation’s coal mines produced 21.1 million tons for the week of January 7-14. The number of rail cars loaded also increased, by 3.2 percent, from 133 thousand cars to 137 thousand.
Metallurgical coal exports continued to lead the way, up 54 percent from this time last year. However steam coal sales slumped, down 13 percent.
In West Virginia, coal production continued to be up slightly as measured year over year, up 0.5 percent, on production of 136 million tons for the 52 weeks ending January 14. Last year’s production total was 133 million tons. Northern West Virginia coal production led the way, increasing 1.9 percent for the period, while production in the southern West Virginia coalfields fell 0.1 percent.
The 2011 edition of Coal Facts is now available at the offices of the West Virginia Coal Association. The annual publication features an overview of key coal production, employment, distribution, consumption and tax data for both West Virginia and the nation. It also features pieces on reclamation and restoration of former mine land, post-mine land use, overviews of the history of coal in our state and the permitting process. Copies will be in the mail shortly and can be picked up at the WV Coal Association offices in Charleston.
Clarence Frederick "Fred" Shewey, 95, of Gainesville, FL, formerly of Kermit, passed away January 16, 2012, at home of complications due to kidney disease.
Fred was an influential community and business leader in the Tug Valley region of West Virginia for many years. He was a major force in the state's natural resource industries, beginning in oil and gas and evolving into lumber and coal. He was one of the founders of Dash Coal Company, which grew into International Industries, Inc. He worked daily with his dear friend and business partner, James H. "Buck" Harless. In addition, he was owner and president of Grey Eagle Construction Company, Inc.
What: Field Hearing on OSM-BLM Consolidation When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, (5-8 p.m.) Where: Charleston, W.Va., West Virginia National Guard Armory, 1703 Coonskin Drive
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 Product4, 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.
