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According to the EIA report, metallurgical exports for this past August (2011) were 33.6% ahead of those in August of last year, and steam coal exports were 34.6% ahead. Comparing 2011 year-to-date exports through August with last year, shows metallurgical shipments 18.2% ahead (45.9 million tons v. 38.8 million tons) and steam coal is nearly 69% ahead (24.6 million tons v. 14.6 million tons). 2011 year-to-date imports were off by more than 26% (9.5 million v. 13 million). West Virginia’s 2011 year-to-date production, through the week ending October 15th, was 3% ahead of last year (137.8 million tons v. 133.9 million tons).
The eight Appalachian states of WV, KY, VA, AL, TN, OH, PA and MD are producing more than a 1/3 of America’s coal, but that accounts for 64% of the value of all the coal mined in this country and these states have more than 70% of the coal miners in the United States.
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A resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died last Monday (10/17) for lack of a second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice and a second with coal industry representatives.
Both WVCA President Bill Raney and Vice President Jason Bostic attended the County Commission meeting and pointed out the positive side of surface mining and its significance to Wood County. (See article: County takes no action on mining resolution)
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House Bill 2273, which for the first time sets minimum federal guidelines regulating coal ash while empowering the states to enforce them and authored by WV Representative David McKinley, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Full press release regarding the subject legislation is attached.
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The U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia (court) ruled on Oct. 6 in National Mining Association v. Jackson that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unlawfully changed the permitting process for Clean Water Act (CWA) § 404 permits for coal mines. The court sided with the State of West Virginia and the National Mining Association (NMA) in challenging EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) actions that unlawfully obstructed the issuance of CWA permits and created a de facto moratorium on surface and underground coal mining within the Central Appalachian region and beyond. Apart from striking down a significant obstacle, EPA injected into the CWA § 404 permitting process, this decision should provide a valuable precedent to deter federal agencies from using informal guidance to alter regulatory procedures and impose new requirements.
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“While Jackson stays in Washington, D.C., meeting with environmentalists, I meet with coal miners, factory workers and business leaders who worry that their next stop will be the unemployment line,” – Rep. Shelley Moore Capito
Special to Roll Call
It’s disappointing that the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency continue to enforce a “my way or the highway” approach to environmental regulations.
For decades, the EPA has successfully cleaned up our air and streams without slowing down the economy. Now, at the worst possible time, the EPA is advancing an extreme agenda that threatens millions of jobs across America.
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Alpha Natural Resources Southern WV Team Captain Tommy Dove competes in the National Mine Rescue Competition that was held in October in Columbus, Ohio.
More than 100 teams from 13 states competed in the 2011 National Mine Rescue, First-Aid, Bench and Preshift Competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio which was held in early October.
Teams from West Virginia fared very well in the event including taking third, eighth and eleventh in the overall competition results. First and Fourth in the Combination Competition results and six teams in the top ten of the First Aid competition.
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By PAMELA BRUST (
PARKERSBURG - Action on a resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died Monday for lack of second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice, and a second with coal industry representatives.
The proposed resolution, presented by Walt Auvil and several other mountaintop coal removal opponents, noted other types of coal mining provide more employment, mountaintop mining methods are "environmentally and economically destructive" and mountains are the heritage of all West Virginians. The opponents asked the commission to sign off on the resolution, similar to ones passed in other parts of the state, opposing the process.
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By PAMELA BRUST (
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
PARKERSBURG - Action on a resolution opposing mountaintop coal removal died Monday for lack of second during the Wood County Commission meeting.
In August, the commission sponsored two separate public informational sessions on mountaintop coal removal, including opponents of the coal mining practice, and a second with coal industry representatives.
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H.R. 2273, introduced by Congressman McKinley, R-WV, relates to the classification of “fly ash” from coal–fired electric generators and preserves its beneficial uses.
An Association briefing paper is attached for your awareness and use.
Companion Legislation is expected to be introduced in the US Senate.
Please notify the Association if you have any questions or need additional information.
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