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The Environmental Protection Agency was in Charleston Wednesday claiming the Trump administration wants to cut red tape and permitting costs.
Defining what makes up the Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, impacts who calls the shots on making sure our water is clean and safe.
The EPA was on the losing end of a 2023 Supreme Court case and is now redefining where it is in charge and where states are. Critical wording involves the exact meaning of permanent, defining exactly what a continuous surface connection to wetlands means, and exactly what a ditch is.
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As the President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Patrick Morrisey for their bold leadership in passing HB2014, the Microgrid bill, during the recently concluded 2025 legislative regular session.
This landmark legislation is a game-changer for our state, securing the future of our coal industry while paving the way for unprecedented economic growth. HB2014 is not just a bill; it’s a blueprint for prosperity that honors our heritage and embraces innovation. Let me explain why this legislation is vital for the coal industry, our communities, and West Virginia’s economic renaissance.
For generations, coal has been the lifeblood of West Virginia, powering homes, fueling industries, and sustaining families across our state. Yet, our industry has faced relentless challenges—federal regulations, market shifts, and a push for alternative energy have threatened the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking West Virginians.
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Dear Governor Morrisey:
Thank you for including us in the development and passage of HB 2014 “Power Generation and Consumption Act". Full implementation of this legislation will serve to solidify West Virginia's place as the nation’s "Energy State".
With coal being the centerpiece of the initial phase of this legislative act, we are eager to work with you and your staff towards shoring up our in-state coal assets so they can provide higher volumes of base load power supplies to serve growing power demands, including new data centers that are incentivized in HB 2014.
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Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, addressed members of the Charleston Rotary Club during their April 28 meeting in Charleston, delivering a direct message on the future of coal, the rise of data centers, and the significance of House Bill 2014.
Hamilton discussed the enduring role of coal in powering the state’s economy and electric grid, noting that coal remains not only reliable but essential in meeting industrial and residential energy demands. He emphasized that West Virginia’s coal-fired power plants are critical for energy-intensive industries, including emerging data centers, which require massive, uninterrupted power loads.
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A proposed $1 million per ship fee on Chinese manufactured transport ships, will have serious repercussions affecting coal exports around the world.
In the waning days of the Biden Administration, five national labor unions filed a petition with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 requesting an investigation into the acts, policies, and practices of China in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.. Section 301 allows the United States to respond to unreasonable or discriminatory foreign government practices that burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Arguing that the “American commercial shipbuilding industry is a shell of its former self,” the petition stated that the number of commercial shipyards in the United States had significantly decreased, jobs had been lost, and U.S. amounted to only a fraction of one percent of the world’s commercial vessels. The petition alleged that China, as the world’s largest shipbuilding nation, has “seized market share, suppressed prices, and created a worldwide network of ports and logistics infrastructure that threaten to discriminate against U.S. ships and shipping companies, disrupt supply chains, and undermine vital national security interests.” As of 2025, Chinese manufacturers accounted for more than 50 percent of the world's transport ship builds.
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The West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame, a joint initiative between the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute and the West Virginia Coal Association and housed at the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in Morgantown, inducted its newest class of honorees during a ceremony April 15th. The event was held at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center in Charleston.
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During West Virginia Mining Symposium, which took place April 15-16 in Charleston, the West Virginia Coal Association recognized and celebrated “Exemplary Mine Safety & Environmental Excellence” achievements of mining industry operations across the state.
“West Virginia’s coal industry continues to show its resilience and commitment to excellence across the board,” West Virginia Coal Association President Chris Hamilton said. “It’s always a proud day for us when we can recognize those who excel in safety and reclamation, showing that the best and brightest in the industry are right here in West Virginia.”
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training co-sponsor this special mining awards program.
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WVCA' President Chris Hamilton provided the keynote address during the Institute’s Annual Scholarship Dinner at the Country Club in Chapmanville WV.
Hamilton talked about the industry having a once in a lifetime opportunity and how important the southern coal fields are to the overall health of the state.
Hamilton congratulated scholarship winners from Logan Mingo and Boone Counties.
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Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Coal Association today expressed its strong and overwhelming support for President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's plan to roll back dozens of Biden-era regulations in a move towards revitalizing the coal industry, stabilizing grid reliability, and promoting economic growth in West Virginia and across the nation.
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