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October 28, 2010

Last week (10/21), Governor Joe Manchin and Senate President (Lieutenant Governor) Earl Ray Tomblin joined a wide array of public officials, United Coal Company’s CEO and President Mike Zervos, Pocahontas Coal President Randy Hansford and others for the groundbreaking/dedication of the rejuvenated Affinity Mine in Raleigh County.  The previous Eastern Associated property has received renewed life under the leadership of United Coal and its parent company, Metinvest, Inc. Congratulations to Mike, Randy, Dale Birchfield and all the other United folks for a wonderful ceremony, bringing some good, positive news to the industry and the State.  The property is expected to be in production by July of next year.

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October 28, 2010

House of Delegate member, Sam Argento, from Summersville died on Thursday, following a bout with cancer. Sam was Assistant Minority Whip and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee who represented the 35th District (Nicholas County). He was also the Democratic candidate for re-election on next week's General Election ballot, which raises several new issues as to timing and possibilities for replacement. That may not represent any problem if the Republican candidate, former coal operator and Nicholas County businessman Pete Sigler, is elected on Tuesday.

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October 24, 2010

I grew up in Wolfe County, Ky., and I am writing in regards to the New Power promises to keep Ky. proud.

As a resident of a small eastern Kentucky community, I thought it was important for the public to see the real story of coal.

I have lived in Wolfe County my entire life, and until this past year, we have never had a park. Because of coal severance money (the money Big Coal companies give back to communities), we were able to build a park. Those big coal companies help many eastern Kentucky counties by improving hospitals and roads, funding volunteer fire departments or upgrading schools, among many other improvements.

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October 19, 2010

Recently there has been a lot of discussion about the “alternative and renewable portfolio” bill that was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2009.  Many people refer to it as HB 103.  HB 103 was initially passed in the June, 2009 Special Legislative Session, but it was subsequently amended and passed as HB 408 in the November, 2009 Special Legislative Session.  HB 408 is actually the bill that establishes the standards.

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October 17, 2010

The Boy Scouts of America has awarded more than $20 million in contracts -- mostly to West Virginia companies -- for the construction of a National Jamboree Center in Fayette County, a scout executive said last week.

Bob Mazzuca, the Boy Scouts' top leader, said contractors have cleared timber and graded roads on the 10,600-acre property atop Garden Ground Mountain near Glen Jean. The site will be the future home of the Jamboree Center, a high-adventure base, summer camp, museum and leadership center.

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