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December 22, 2010

LOGAN – The Friends of Coal would like to thank the Father George Kostas; Pastor Mitchell Bias; John Roberts, executive director of the Mountain Mission, Debrina Williams of the Logan Chamber of Commerce and everyone else involved in last night’s interfaith service to honor those who work in our nation’s coal mines.

Our coal mining family has suffered loss and faced uncertainty this past year. We have faced an almost constant assault by an administration that puts political agendas ahead of people. Our families have been subjected to months of worry and fear – fear for their jobs, fear that they might lose their homes and their way of life.

We want to thank Father Kostas, Rev. Bias and everyone who came to the service last night. Your words gave us comfort. Your support gave us hope and lifted our hearts during this Holy Season.

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December 20, 2010

Dailymail.com

Certainly, its dependability is appreciated in Alberta clippers

With winter yet to begin, December found tens of millions of Americans struggling to cope with a record-breaking cold snap that affected huge areas of the nation.

In the Midwest, some motorists spent days trapped in pileups on snow-covered highways. In the South, some Floridians scrambled to save valuable crops like citrus fruits and strawberries, and others hastened to rescue hundreds of sea turtles reduced to a coma-like state by the cold. But most Americans had heat and light when they made it home after a long day. Those amenities go underappreciated until they go missing.

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December 16, 2010

Washington, D.C.—Senator Jay Rockefeller has informed Senate Leadership that he will insist on a vote on his EPA-suspension legislation this year. If left with no other option, Senator Rockefeller will seek to suspend the rules on the Omnibus Appropriations bill to bring up his legislation.

“The time has come for us to make a decision on the energy future of our country,” said Senator Rockefeller. “I have spent this year fighting to make sure that Congress, not the EPA, determines how best to reduce greenhouse gases in a way that protects West Virginia’s economy. While there are still ongoing discussions about how Congress should proceed, I want to make it clear that I intend to get a vote this year on my EPA-suspension legislation. I know there is bipartisan support for this legislation, and if necessary, I will seek to suspend the rules and bring this up for a vote. This is too important for us to delay any further.”

Background:

Senator Rockefeller’s legislation will allow two years for Congress to consider energy legislation in lieu of EPA greenhouse gas regulations which would otherwise take effect on January 2, 2011. The legislation directs that for two years after enactment the EPA may take no action to make stationary sources of carbon dioxide or methane emission, such as power plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities, subject to permitting requirements or New Source Performance Standards under the Clean Air Act.  However, the legislation allows continued implementation of widely-supported motor vehicle emission standards.

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December 16, 2010

Association member law firm, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, announced the opening of a second Pennsylvania office December 16. The new office will support exploration and commercial developments related to the Marcellus shale. The office will be located in the Southpointe Business Complex just off I-79 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Kristian E. White, a member of the firm practicing in the areas of energy, real estate, and commercial transactions, will transfer from the Wheeling, West Virginia office to serve as Southpointe’s Managing Member.

White will be supported by other members of the firm’s energy team and litigators including Russell L. Schetroma, Sharon O. Flanery and James C. Wright.

"Expanding our energy practice into Canonsburg and Southpointe reinforces our commitment to be closer to our clients to help them achieve their goals,” Brewer began. “The addition of our Southpointe office allows us to bring know-how and advocacy to our clients and new businesses entering the Marcellus shale,” she said.

In September, Steptoe & Johnson acquired the energy practice group of the western Pennsylvania firm of Culbertson, Weiss, Schetroma and Schug, P.C. Having served clients throughout Pennsylvania for decades, Steptoe & Johnson’s official presence in Meadville and Southpointe facilitates the continued provision of legal services to regional Appalachian clients.

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December 16, 2010

West Virginia granted more than $50 million

The U.S. Department of the Interior is releasing $395 million to states and tribes for cleaning up abandoned coal mines across the nation. West Virginia, the nation’s No. 2 coal producing state, will get $51.3 million and Kentucky will receive approximately $38 million.

The grants are funded in part by a per-ton reclamation fee levied on all coal produced in the United States, allow state and tribal programs to correct environmental damage from past mining, reclaim steep and unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining.

A 2009 Department of the Interior economic study showed that when state and tribal programs invested the $298 million available during that fiscal year, the cumulative economic impact in the communities where projects were completed was an estimated $733 million.

"These grants have significant economic and environmental impacts in coalfield communities across the country," Salazar said. "In the past three years alone, OSM has distributed more than a billion dollars in these funds to states and tribes, enabling them to undertake projects that benefit the environment while employing people living in affected areas."