- Details
According to the Energy Information Agency (EIA), West Virginia 2010 production (thru week ending 12/25) is less than 1% behind last years’ total. Northern WV is up by about 5% while southern WV is down by 3%. Metallurgical exports for this year, through October, were up by more than 60% compared to 2009 (47.1m tons v. 29.3m tons), while steam coal exports were running 6.5% ahead of last year (19.9m tons v. 18.7m tons) for the same period. 2010 imports are down by nearly 14% (16.3m tons v. 18.9m tons).
- Details
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin Thursday proposed the creation of a lieutenant governor. The purpose of the position is to address the issues created with the election of former Governor Joe Manchin to the U.S. Senate this past November.
The post would require a constitutional amendment and is part of Tomblin's proposal to solve a problem with the laws determining gubernatorial succession.
The governor made the proposal during a press conference Thursday afternoon in Charleston. Tomblin said he is putting together a panel to craft a proposal to go before the Legislature during the upcoming session.
Tomblin said he has three key goals in asking for the position of Lt. Governor to be created. First, he wants to clarify the state’s constitutional succession for the post of governor and to do so at as little cost to the taxpayer as possible. He also wants the position to have real constitutional authority, not simply a figurehead who only receives authority when the governor’s office must be unexpectedly filled.
- Details
Rising gas prices are the elephant in the room that no one is talking about. With 87 octane gasoline now around $3 a gallon throughout the country, we can expect to start seeing increased prices for the delivery of goods and services, as UPS, FedEx, railroads and even airplanes feel the fuel cost pinch.
- Details
Cowlitz County in Washington state is across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore., which promotes mass transit and urban density and is a green reproach to the rest of us. Recently, Cowlitz did something that might make Portland wonder whether shrinking its carbon footprint matters. Cowlitz approved construction of a coal export terminal from which millions of tons of U.S. coal could be shipped to Asia annually.
- Details
By BILL RANEY, PRESIDENT
West Virginia Coal Association
It appears Barack Obama didn’t learn anything from his resounding defeat this past November. In fact, it appears he and his administration are “doubling-down’ on their efforts to ram through their radical anti-job agenda. If they can’t do it by passing legislation, they seem determined to bypass the Constitution altogether and impose their agenda through over-reaching regulation and rule-making.
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.
West Virginia Coal Association
The West Virginia Coal Association has been the voice of the coal industry for over 100 years, advocating for safe, responsible mining practices and supporting the communities that depend on coal.
Join the FOC
Become a Friend of Coal and download our app to stay connected and support the industry.
Recent Press
