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According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. metallurgical exports for the period of January thru July 2010 were ahead of those for the same period last year by more than 92%, while steam exports were down by 8%. 2010 coal imports were 18% less than 2009 for the first six month period. For the period ending on 10/9, West Virginia’s 2010 year-to-date production was 1.8% behind last year.
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The Young West Virginians for Coal, founded and operating at West Virginia University plans a major concert on November 10 in Morgantown. The Young West Virginians for Coal raised more than $100,000 for the families of the Upper Big Branch Mine. That money is to be distributed by the end of October. This Morgantown concert will be the official introduction of a new motto for the industry, “Remember the Miners”, that is not a memorial statement but rather one that will prompt people everywhere to better understand the significance of our industry and its wonderful miners. Sponsors are being sought for the event. Details are set forth on the attachment.
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In a late September letter, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin and House of Delegates Speaker Rick Thompson jointly appointed Alpha Natural Resources’ Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Michael Peelish, to the Coal and Energy Research Bureau at West Virginia University. Michael is the coal industry representative on the Bureau, which oversees research projects at the Mining Engineering Program.
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We were informed yesterday afternoon by MSHA that the agency will publish a proposed rule on October 19 entitled "Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors." A copy is currently available to view at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-25249_PI.pdf and the Agencies press release which accompanies the rule may be viewed at http://www.msha.gov/Media/PRESS/2010/NR101014.pdf.
The proposed rule would lower the current 2 milligram dust standard to 1 milligram over a two-year period; mandates the use of PDMs; provides for the use of a single, full-shift sample to determine compliance; address extended work shifts and redefines normal production shifts.
MSHA has also announced a “stakeholders meeting” set for 10: a.m. on October 20th at its Arlington, VA Office and a limited call-in opportunity for WVCA to participate telephonically. If you are interested in participating with us from our office on the 20th, please let us know by replying to this email or by call Sandi at 304-342-4153.
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What do individuals think when the word coal comes to mind? Usually, heat, use in generation of electric, mining, way of life for millions of individuals, etc. Yes, those are the normal thoughts, but what about by products of the industry? Nature has treated the United States generously with excellent coal resources and much more is derived from the coal industry than just lumps of the black material from our land. That is only the beginning of a process that provides the world a multitude of products that are very beneficial in our every day life. We all know that we get Power and Heat if we burn coal. In addition, processing of coal provides us with hundreds of useful products.





