Latest News

KVMI Meeting

The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ramada Inn, South Charleston.  This monthly meeting is being sponsored by Victaulic and will have Bill Raney (WVCA) discussing “Post Election Evaluation & Outlook”.  Scholarship applications are available on the website and must be submitted to the KVMI by Thursday, December 2 – go to:  http://www.kvmi.org/user/scholarship%20application.pdf

FOC Update

The Association and Friends of Coal are participating in the dedication ceremonies for New River Community and Technical College at Ghent, WV on Friday and Saturday.  New River has a new, expansive training facility adjacent to the Turnpike at the Ghent exit (#28). *** Presentation of State Championship trophies to the winners and runners-up in the cross-country state meet at Cabell Midland High School in Milton.  Trophies will be presented in each of the three classes. ***

Coal Forum Held

A southern West Virginia “Friend Raising” was held for Governor Manchin and other candidates last Sunday afternoon in Logan.  The event, at the Logan Grade School, was a celebration of West Virginia’s coal miners and was sponsored by the WV Coal Forum, MTM Coalition and Citizens for Coal.  Governor Manchin has been endorsed for the U.S. Senate by the Association.

Mined Land Dedicated as Boy Scout Camp

Another great use for previously mined land was dedicated last Friday in Raleigh County with the Bechtel Boy Scouts of America Adventure Camp.  A number of member companies have played instrumental roles in assisting the State in landing the Boy Scouts’ project.

Affinity Mine Dedicated

Last week (10/21), Governor Joe Manchin and Senate President (Lieutenant Governor) Earl Ray Tomblin joined a wide array of public officials, United Coal Company’s CEO and President Mike Zervos, Pocahontas Coal President Randy Hansford and others for the groundbreaking/dedication of the rejuvenated Affinity Mine in Raleigh County.  The previous Eastern Associated property has received renewed life under the leadership of United Coal and its parent company, Metinvest, Inc. Congratulations to Mike, Randy, Dale Birchfield and all the other United folks for a wonderful ceremony, bringing some good, positive news to the industry and the State.  The property is expected to be in production by July of next year.

Delegate Argento Passes

House of Delegate member, Sam Argento, from Summersville died on Thursday, following a bout with cancer. Sam was Assistant Minority Whip and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee who represented the 35th District (Nicholas County). He was also the Democratic candidate for re-election on next week's General Election ballot, which raises several new issues as to timing and possibilities for replacement. That may not represent any problem if the Republican candidate, former coal operator and Nicholas County businessman Pete Sigler, is elected on Tuesday.

Letter to the Editor: Mountaintop Development Benefits Ky.

I grew up in Wolfe County, Ky., and I am writing in regards to the New Power promises to keep Ky. proud.

As a resident of a small eastern Kentucky community, I thought it was important for the public to see the real story of coal.

I have lived in Wolfe County my entire life, and until this past year, we have never had a park. Because of coal severance money (the money Big Coal companies give back to communities), we were able to build a park. Those big coal companies help many eastern Kentucky counties by improving hospitals and roads, funding volunteer fire departments or upgrading schools, among many other improvements.

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Alternative and Renewable Portfolio

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about the “alternative and renewable portfolio” bill that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2009.  Many people refer to it as HB 103.  HB 103 was initially passed in the June, 2009 Special Legislative Session, but it was subsequently amended and passed as HB 408 in the November, 2009 Special Legislative Session.  HB 408 is actually the bill that establishes the standards.

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Scout Jamboree construction starts in Fayette

The Boy Scouts of America has awarded more than $20 million in contracts -- mostly to West Virginia companies -- for the construction of a National Jamboree Center in Fayette County, a scout executive said last week.

Bob Mazzuca, the Boy Scouts' top leader, said contractors have cleared timber and graded roads on the 10,600-acre property atop Garden Ground Mountain near Glen Jean. The site will be the future home of the Jamboree Center, a high-adventure base, summer camp, museum and leadership center.

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  1. EPA action is reckless, arrogant and puts politics ahead of people
  2. Adrenaline junkies and nature lovers get a birds-eye view of New River Gorge
  3. Friends of Coal Continue Outreach Efforts
  4. Friends of Coal Urges Everyone to Exercise Your Rights & Vote
  5. Power of Gravity Zipline to Open Today

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