CHARLESTON, W.Va. ─ In response to comments by President Joe Biden over the weekend stating that “we’re going to be shutting [coal] plants down all across America” America’s Coal Associations issues the following response:
President Biden's insistence that coal plants and coal miners be shuttered serves as an affront to the 381,000 hard working men and woman across America who work in some capacity with coal mining.
Aside from the callousness, the President’s remarks reflect recklessness and total ignorance of coal's value to our nation’s independence, defense and security.
Mining is among our country’s most honorable professions, contributing significantly to our industrial job base and to local, regional, and national economies. Our miners are an essential part of our nation’s fabric with many of their spouses working as teachers, nurses, Sunday School teachers and every imaginable profession throughout our society.
Our industry fully supports clean air and a clean environment. We take great pride in our environmental compliance record and overall stewardship of the land. Our mining operations are among the world’s best and our industry’s record in the US is superior to similar mining complexes around the world. The technological advancements employed at our mines and electric manufacturing facilities are second to none.
Our nation’s infrastructure and national defense systems depend on coal as does the secured delivery of household and industrial electrical supplies. Continuous base load electric generation that only coal provides keeps the electric grid secured and ensures our country’s energy independence.
Coal is what built our country into the world superpower it is, and coal will continue to be a strong economic driver for years to come. Frankly, our miners deserve more from their government and their President! God Bless our “Freedom miners” and families.
America’s Coal Associations are supportive of an all-of-the-above energy strategy but believes the United States should not trade one energy job for another or unnecessarily shorten the life of these foundational contributors to our economy and industrial job base.
For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.
The following State Coal Associations and Groups have signed on to the above response:
- Emily Arthun, Executive Director, American Coal Council
- Randy Eminger, Executive Director, Energy Policy Network
- Nick Williams, President, Illinois Coal Association
- Tucker Davis, President, Kentucky Coal Association
- Mike Cope, President Ohio Coal Association
- Rachel Gleason, President, Pennsylvania Coal Alliance
- Matt Bell, President Reliable Energy, Inc. (Indiana)
- Judy Colgan, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Mining Institute
- Chuck Laine, President, Tennessee Mining Association
- Ches Blevins, President, Texas Mining and Reclamation Association
- Travis Deti, Executive Director, Wyoming Mining Association
- Chris Hamilton, President, West Virginia Coal Association