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August 25, 2011

More than 500 Marshall University fans packed the Embassy Suites Grand Ball Room Wednesday, August 17th, joining with coaches and friends to participate in the 13^thAnnual “Paint The Capital City Green” event sponsored by Friends of Coal. Hailed as the largest indoor pep rally for Thundering Herd alumni, fans and friends, the event is co-hosted by the Big Green Scholarship Foundation, The Marshall University Alumni Association, the Greater Kanawha Valley Alumni Association and the Charleston Quarterback Club.

Chris Hamilton, senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, joined Marshall President Stephen Kopp, Athletic Director Mike Hamrick and Head Football Coach Doc Holliday in speaking at the event. Hamilton said the Association and Friends of Coal are honored to sponsor the event and the Friends of Coal Bowl, the marquee match up between the state’s two leading universities and is hopeful the intra-state rivalry would continue into the future.” Hamilton said it was fitting that the state’s leading industry remains linked to both institutions of higher learning.

Hamilton presented Kopp, Hamrick and Holliday with a replica flame safety lamp in appreciation for their support and to commemorate the 2011 game.  Also featured during Thursday’s program was recognition of the Association and the Friends of Coal for providing six scholarships annually as part of its sponsorship of the Friends of Coal Bowl.

In announcing the 2011 recipients along with President Kopp, Hamilton noted the scholarships are an equally important part of the Association’s support for the game and the state. “These scholarships are part of our effort to build the future of this state,” Hamilton said. “We believe in West Virginia. We believe in its people and we believe in our young people. They are the future and as West Virginians, we are committed to making sure that future is bright.” A total of 36 scholarships have been awarded to date.

The 2011 recipients are 2011 high school graduates Kelli Ilene Hudnall of Sylvester, Jessica Noelle Jacoby of Hinton, and Tiffany Dawn Noe of Welch. Each student will receive a $2,500 scholarship

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August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 17^th was Friends of Coal Day at the West Virginia State Fair. The FOC was the official named sponsor of the event for that day. Representatives of the FOC manned an information table at the Fair, passing out literature, stickers, yard signs, wristbands and other items for both the Friends of Coal and FACES of Coal, as well as flyers supporting HR 2018.

The Friends of Coal were also on hand to share the FACES of Coal informational table on Thursday August 18^th.

It is estimated that more than 2,500 people stopped by the booth on Wednesday and a slightly smaller number stopped by on Thursday. Citizens for Coal also participated on both days.

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August 25, 2011

After two special sessions, West Virginia lawmakers have finished redrawing the state’s legislative and congressional districts.

The Senate voted 15-14 Sunday to send Governor Earl Ray Tomblin a corrected redistricting plan for the House of Delegates. The House passed the bill 55-38 Saturday. Lawmakers ended the special session Sunday.

The “new” plan is much like the one approved during a five-day special session earlier this month but it addressed the issue of overlapped delegate districts in two counties that forced Governor Tomblin to veto the original bill. The House plan fixes the overlap errors. Delegates also approved minor changes to nearly half of its 67 districts. A court challenge by supporters of single-member districts is expected.

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August 25, 2011

The Sixth Friends of Coal Bowl will be held next week (September 4^th) in Morgantown.  We are excited about the nationally-televised game that will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

A Membership Meeting will be held on Saturday (September 3^rd) afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Waterfront Place Hotel to discuss timely topics within the industry as well as relevant activities being undertaken by Marshall  and WVU.  Jim Truman of Hill & Associates will discuss the current and anticipated trends in the domestic and worldwide coal markets.  Marshall University President Kopp and WVU President Clements will update us on the latest developments, research and activities related to our industry at their respective institutions.  And, officials from each of the University’s Athletic Departments will preview their expectations for the upcoming football and basketball seasons.  And, of course, time permitting we will discuss the status of issues currently facing the industry.

In an attempt to coordinate with the many activites surrounding the Bowl Game and Labor Day weekend, we will have the traditional Friends of Coal bowl Reception on Saturday evening, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Waterfront Place Hotel.  Our members and Friends of Coal from acrossWest Virginia will be joining members of the Legislature, state government leaders and officials from WVU andMarshall University for a “night before” celebration of school spirit and camaraderie.

Also, the Friends of Coal Tailgate Tent will begin at noon on Sunday and will be located in Tent City, next to the stadium.

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August 25, 2011

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill Thursday that will increase the amount of coal severance tax money going to coal producing counties. The measure will dedicate a share of relevant severance tax revenues to the 30 or so counties that actively produce coal. In comments to the media, Mark Muchow, of the State Tax Department, noted that five of these counties account for more than half of the coal produced over the last 10 years: Boone, Mingo, Kanawha, Logan and Monongalia.

Starting in July 2012, the state will deposit 1 percent of severance tax revenues into a special account for these counties. The share will increase annually, a percentage point at a time, until it reaches 5 percent in as many years. The annual yield is also capped at $20 million after those five years.  Counties can draw down funds based on their share of the coal produced, but only for economic development projects and infrastructure.

"This is a good day for southern West Virginia, that's for sure," said Delegate Josh Stowers, a Lincoln County Democrat whose district also includes Logan and parts of Boone and Putnam counties. "This is a quality of life bill, when you start talking about the things that this money is going to go toward -- water and sewer and road repair, and some potential economic development."