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By: Chris Hamilton President & CEO
West Virginia Coal Association
Recent news stories across the state have reported on a tentative agreement advanced by several parties to a typical public electric utility rate case, whereby the utility petitions the Public Service Commission to recover partial costs the utility incurred to keep West Virginia’s lights on. Some suggest that the agreement and others like it are not in the best interest of the public.
West Virginia has always enjoyed extremely low-cost and reliable energy primarily due to our modem coal-fired electric manufacturing facilities and nearby high quality, clean burning coal reserves. It’s been our natural advantage and continues to be the best deal around as evidenced by all the new investment by large industrial power consumers (e.g., Nucor, Omnis Energy, Fidelis New Energy, and many others) that chose West Virginia for our competitive costs of energy and other reasons.
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By: Chris Hamilton
President & CEO West Virginia Coal Association
In a November 29 column, MetroNews Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval highlights new research that shows that “the idea that a laid off roof bolter can get a new job making solar panels or installing wind turbines is largely an unfulfilled promise”.
He’s referring to the promises made by the Biden Administration, liberal leaders, and environmental extremists that workers in carbon intensive industries can find work in the Green Energy fields of wind and solar. According to the research, “the transition rate is even lower in our state. The New York Times reported that the study showed that ‘Less than a quarter of a percent of workers who left a fossil fuel job in West Virginia moved on to a job in renewable energy’.”
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Validating what the West Virginia Coal Association has known for years, the West Virginia Public Service Commission recently announced the findings of a U.S. Energy Administration study that found West Virginia’s industrial electric rates are the second lowest in the nation and lowest in the nation overall since 2000.
“The study corroborates what energy experts have known all along: that West Virginia's industrial electric rates are indeed among the lowest in the country thanks in large part to West Virginia’s ecosystem of coal-fired electric generation facilities,” said Chris Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia Coal Association.
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Great news! Friends of Coal has just launched an invigorating new radio spot, and we’re eager for you to hear it.
West Virginia coal is powering ahead, reaching 45 countries and drawing global admiration for its quality. Our radio spot celebrates this remarkable reach and the billions invested in our state's coal mining, ensuring it remains a dependable energy source for generations.
More than just energy, our coal sector supports over 50,000 jobs, bolstering our economy and keeping families thriving. We invite you to tune into our vibrant spot on your local stations and join us in recognizing the robust future of coal in our state.
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Commits $500 Million to Destroy American Jobs, U.S. Energy Reliability
Charleston, W.Va. – With an announced $500 million commitment to expand the Beyond Carbon campaign, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg seeks to shut down every remaining coal-fired power plant in the country, slash natural gas plant capacity in half, and block any new gas plants, all within the next six years.
Rachel Gleason, President of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, remarked “It is an absolute attack on our state, our livelihoods, and our families. It is un-American that someone would use their wealth to destroy our state and nation’s industrial base and also seek to send a large segment of the 381,000 American workers in industry to the unemployment line while destabilizing electric reliability and security in America.”
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With an announced $500 million commitment to expand the Beyond Carbon campaign, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg seeks to shut down every remaining coal-fired power plant in the country, slash natural gas plant capacity in half, and block any new gas plants, all within the next six years.
“As I said in 2019 when Bloomberg last reinvigorated his crusade, it’s an absolute attack on our state, our families, our livelihoods, and it directly impacts north of 50,000 people collectively here in West Virginia,” said Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association. “It’s un-American that someone would use their wealth to destroy our nation and state’s industrial base, sending West Virginians to the unemployment line while at the same time jeopardizing electric reliability and security in America.”
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By: Chris Hamilton President & CEO West Virginia Coal Association
In a recent column by MetroNews Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval, he quotes Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, as saying, “From 2017 to 2021…West Virginia generated $6.2 billion in private capital investment…The state generated $6.2 billion in 2022 alone. In one year, we did more than the previous years”.
Secretary Carmichael and the Department of Economic Development staff are to be commended for their tireless efforts to attract business to the state and their recent successes. It is our hope that all these economic development announcements come to fruition and create thousands of jobs for West Virginians throughout every corner of the state.
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The West Virginia Coal Association, the state’s primary coal membership organization representing over 90 percent of state thermal coal production and 65 percent of metallurgical coal production, today praised Governor Jim Justice for featuring the startup of the Pleasants Power Station during his opening remarks at the WV Chamber Commerce Business Summit on Wednesday morning.
During his remarks, Governor Justice announced the startup of the Pleasants Power Plant and raved about the significant contributions of coal and coal fired electric generation to the state, region, and country.
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The West Virginia Coal Association, the state’s primary coal membership organization representing over 90 percent of state thermal coal production and 65 percent of metallurgical coal production, today announced the organization’s endorsements for the 2024 election cycle.
Chris Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “The 2024 state and federal election cycle is the most important in our industry’s history dating back before West Virginia become a state. Our industry is challenged like never before and our mere existence is threatened. We need political leaders who are willing to go the extra mile for our business and the 50,000 West Virginians who show up at a mine site or coal fired manufacturing facility every day. We will immediately go to work to boost our endorsed candidates' chances of prevailing in the Spring.”
Hamilton announced the following endorsements:
- Coal Will Continue to Drive West Virginia’s Economy
- WV Coal Association Statement on Sen. Capito, Cong. Miller POPP Act Legislation
- WV Coal Association Statement on EPA’s Proposed Rule to Limit Carbon Emissions from Power Plants
- State Mining Companies, Operations Recognized for Excellence in Safety and Reclamation
- West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame Inducts 25th Class of Honorees
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