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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R.W.Va., released the following statement announcing the re-launch of the Congressional Coal Caucus in the 112th Congress. Capito was joined by Reps. Altmire, Holden, Shimkus, Rehberg and Costello as co-chairs. “Coal is our nation’s most abundant natural resource and supports more than 130,000 good-paying jobs across the country. Anyone who turns on a light or plugs in a computer or watches their favorite TV show has coal to thank for providing a low-cost energy supply. Failure to include this vital resource in an all-of-the-above approach to our energy security will mean widespread consequences, from higher utility bills at home to increased costs at the grocery store.
“With the Administration’s recent attacks on the industry, most notably the EPA’s veto of the existing Spruce Mine Permit, the Coal Caucus stands to play a key role in bringing to light the important role coal plays in our day-to-day lives. As a West Virginian, I am especially concerned with the EPA’s attempts to use their regulatory authority to further an anti-coal agenda. While I agree that the environmental impact of coal mining must be considered, any decisions regarding the future of coal can be done so in a balanced manner that also weighs economic factors. As such, I’ve supported investment in clean-coal technologies.
“I look forward to working with my coal-state colleagues to make sure the coal industry, and the thousands of jobs it supports, has a strong, unified voice in the 112th Congress.”
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The following applications for membership were accepted into the Association: Appalachian Coal Services, LLC; BASF Corporation-The Chemical Company; IVS Hydro; Liberty Hydrologic Systems; P & H MinePro Services; Preston Contractors, Inc.; and, Williams Forestry & Associates, LLC.
We welcome all of our new members and look forward to working with each during the coming months and years. Thanks for all that you do to make the coal industry in West Virginia the best that it can be.
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ST. LOUIS – Arch Coal, Inc. has announced that Robert W. Shanks has elected to retire as president of Arch’s eastern U.S. operations on March 31 after 35 years of service. Gary L. Bennett, president and general manager of Arch’s Coal-Mac, Inc. subsidiary, has been promoted to president of eastern operations, and J. Chris Sykes has been promoted from mine manager to general manager of Coal-Mac.
Shanks joined Arch in 1976 as a hydrologist after completing his master’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He has held a number of engineering, operations and senior management positions during his tenure, most recently as president of eastern operations. Throughout the course of Shanks’ career, he either worked at or was associated with every one of the company’s operating divisions. In addition to his long and successful history in managing operations, he played significant roles in the Diamond Shamrock acquisition, the 1993 BCOA-UMWA contract negotiations, the Arch Mineral-Ashland Coal merger and the Atlantic Richfield Coal Company (ARCO) acquisition.
Bennett received a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from West Virginia Tech and joined Arch as a senior engineer in 1990. During his 21-year tenure with Arch, he has held various engineering and operating positions in West Virginia, St. Louis and Kentucky. Arch’s four eastern general managers and the various staff functions in Charleston, W.Va., will report to Bennett. Bennett will be located in the Charleston office and will report to Senior Vice President of Operations Paul A. Lang.
Sykes earned a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering from Virginia Tech and an executive master’s degree in business administration from the University of Charleston, W.Va., in 1999. Sykes has 14 years of experience in the coal industry and with Arch Coal. Sykes most recently served as Coal-Mac’s mine manager. He will report to Bennett.
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin presented the Kanawha Valley Mining Institute’s Charles Bowling Scholarships to 10 area students at the association’s Thursday meeting. KVMI has been awarding these scholarships annually for more than 70 years.
“The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute is proud to make these scholarships available to these students that represent the future of our industry and our communities. The KVMI was chartered in 1934 and has been making these scholarships, now known as the Charles Bowling scholarships, ever since,” said Kevin Whipkey, KVMI president.
“The KVMI provides an opportunity for members of the mining community to establish relationships within the industry and also provides these students the opportunity to develop a network within the industry that can serve them well as they enter their working careers.”
RECIPIENTS OF THE
KVMI CHARLES BOWLING SCHOLARSHIPs
AWARDED FEBRUARY 10, 2011
ROBERT BOSTIC – Kenna, WV - Sophomore
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGEMONT CTC
LAUREN CLARK – Bradley, WV - Sophomore
MECH. & CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGEMONT CTC
CODY COOPER – Racine, WV - Junior
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGEMONT CTC
JOSHUA DEWEESE – Orma, WV - Junior
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGEMONT CTC
PAUL FISHER – South Charleston, WV - Junior
POWER PLANT TECHNOLOGY - KANAWHA VALLEY CTC
STEPHEN HUDDLESTON – Sissonville, WV - Junior
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - WVU - INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BRAD JARRELL – Mt. Hope, WV - Junior
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - BRIDGEMONT CTC
THOMAS NAY – Charleston, WV - Senior
POWER PLANT TECHNOLOGY - KANAWHA VALLEY CTC
STEVEN THOMPSON – South Charleston, WV - Sophomore
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - WVU-IT
SPENCER WILLS - Oak Hill, WV - Sophomore
CIVIL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY - WVU-IT
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In his presentation to last week’s WV Coal’s Mining Symposium in Charleston, Senator Joe Manchin discussed his “maiden speech” on the floor of the United States Senate. The full text of Senator Manchin’s speech, made last Thursday, is included below.
Presented on the floor of the United States Senate, Washington, DC on Thursday, February 3, 2011.
Madam President, it is my great honor today to speak on the floor for the first time as a United States Senator.
I am truly humbled by this auspicious occasion and the enormous privilege to serve the greatest people in America - the people of West Virginia.
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Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R.W.Va., released the following statement announcing the re-launch of the Congressional Coal Caucus in the 112th Congress. Capito was joined by Reps. Altmire, Holden, Shimkus, Rehberg and Costello as co-chairs.
Congressman David McKinley, R-W.Va., said federal regulatory agencies are over-stepping their bounds
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By Mike Ruben
State Journal
CHARLESTON -- Freshman Congressman David McKinley, R-W.Va., assured coal industry leaders he will be their voice in Washington, D.C., and will take on the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Bill aims to give Congress time to act.
By Pam Kasey
StateJournal
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources would be suspended for two years by a bill introduced Jan. 31 by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and colleagues.
“I’m proud that today we took important action to safeguard jobs, the coal industry and the entire economy as we move toward clean coal technology,” Rockefeller said.
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Eleven companies were recognized on Friday for excellence in mine reclamation for 2010. The awards were made at the concluding luncheon of the 38th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium Charleston Civic Center.
- MANCHIN TELLS COAL SYMPOSIUM EPA'S "UNBRIDLED POWER" IS WRONG FOR WEST VIRGINIA AND AMERICA
- West Virginia Coal Association 2011 Mining Symposium Feb. 2-4 Charleston Civic Center
- Adkins: Spruce permit vital to area
- More than 1000 Miners and Families Gather in Peaceful Protest at State Capitol
- WV Senate Passes SR 10
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