Latest News

"Coal, Energy & Mountaintop Development" to be Subject of West Virginia University Distinguished Lecture Series

Chris Hamilton will be the guest lecturer for the West Virginia University College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ Distinguished Lecture Series. The event will be Monday, March 28 at 3 p.m. in the Engineering Sciences Building, Room G102.

Mary Pat Steptoe Dies

CHARLESTON --- Mary Pat Steptoe, wife of Bob Steptoe of the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson, lost her courageous battle with cancer. She died peacefully at home with her entire family. Please remember Bob, their children and all of the Steptoe family members in your prayers.  Arrangement were incomplete at time of release.

E.B. Leisenring Jr. Dies at 85

AIKEN, SC --- Edward Barnes Leisenring Jr., one-time president of the family’s Westmoreland Coal Company, died March 2 at his winter home in Aiken, S.C. He was 85. Leisenring played a large role in West Virginia’s coal history. He was instrumental in growing Westmoreland Coal to a major West Virginia producer while he also served as Chairman of the National Coal Association. He is survived by his wife, Julia DuPont Bissell, and his children Erica, Edward W. and John Leisenring. (NMA Mining Week)

Two Additional Mine Safety Bills Pass

CHARLESTON -- Two additional mine safety bills were passed by the Legislature directing the Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety to study two mine safety topics. 

HB 2437 requiring the automatic de-energization of longwall shears and cutting heads on continuous miners when methane gas exceeds 1%.

HB 2888 strengthening requirements for whistleblowers to the Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety for study and rule-making consideration.

The Board is to investigate the requirements embodied in HB 2437 & HB 2888 to determine whether additional rules or revisions to existing rules are appropriate and report it findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2011.

Legislative Wrap-Up 2011 Regular Session

West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act Passes.

Late Saturday evening before the annual legislative session concluded, HB 2955 was adopted which generally raises permit fees for surface mining facilities. 

However, the legislation was amended earlier in the day by the State Senate by amending the provisions of SB 519 into the House bill, to establish the “West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act”. 

The “West Virginia Innovative Mine Safety Technology Tax Credit Act” encourages new investment in mine safety technologies by providing for a credit against business franchise and corporate net taxes up to fifty percent (50%) of the investment cost of qualifying safety technologies.

The Act requires the  Mine Safety Technology Task Force and director of the WV Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training to develop a list of approved innovative mine safety technologies which qualify for the tax credit. Safety protection or technologies required by state or federal law are excluded from the Act.

MSHA Asking for Public Comments on Respirable Dust Rule

WASHINGTON, DC -- On March 8, 2011, MSHA will publish a notice in the Federal Register soliciting additional comment on the proposed rule addressing Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors. 

MSHA has identified 27 specific areas for which we are seeking additional comment. The notice will be available for viewing on March 7, 2011 at the Office of the Federal Register, Public Inspection Desk:http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx. 

The proposed rule was published on October 19, 2010 (75 FR 64412) and is available on MSHA’s website. All comments must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern Daylight Saving time on May 2, 2011.

Friends of Coal Continues Outreach Efforts

CHARLESTON -- The Friends of Coal is continuing its outreach efforts in print, broadcast and web media, as well as maintaining a presence at various events in the state:

PRINT:

A recent special section on the importance of coal was printed by the Charleston Newspapers. The section was published in the Sunday edition of the Charleston Gazette-Mail and featured stories on the benefits of coal to the state and nation. 

 

Read more …

Governor to Declare Coal Education Week April 18-22

CHARLESTON -- Governor Tomblin will be presenting CEDAR with a Coal Education Proclamation declaring the week of April 18 – April 22, 2011 (10th Regional Coal Fair to be held at the Harless Community Center) Coal Education week in West Virginia, on Monday, March 28, 2011, at 11 am in the West Wing governor's reception room at the State Capitol.

Please Contact Georgene Robertson, CEDAR of Southern West Virginia, Inc. at 304/792-8433 for more information.

Friends of Coal License Plate Gets Final Approvals: Release to public now set for May

CHARLESTON -- The West Virginia Friends of Coal license plate has now passed its final approval – a “reflectivity” test due to its one-of-a-kind black background.  According to the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles the plate will be released to the public in May.  

If you would like to order a Friends of Coal license plate you can visit the Friends of Coal webpage at http://www.friendsofcoal.org or click here for a printable application.
  1. Tomblin Unveils New Mine Safety Truck
  2. State Unveils Rapid Response Mine Rescue Truck
  3. Scientists Retract "Peer-Reviewed" Paper on Rising Sea Levels Due to Errors
  4. TAKE ACTION: WE NEED YOU TO ACT NOW! VOTES ARE EXPECTED TODAY!
  5. WVSSAC Tournament Openings

Page 170 of 212

Image

Join Friends of Coal

Be part of West Virginia's coal industry future. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more prosperous Mountain State by supporting our miners and communities.
Learn More About FOC