Hundreds converge on the State Capital for Coal Forum ahead of President’s visit

CHARLESTON, WV - Since President Barack Obama was due to speak in Charleston, West Virginia in the afternoon, mining industry officials, political leaders and pro-coal citizens took the opportunity to have their opinions heard the morning of Oct. 21.
 
They gathered for a Coal Forum Rally at the State Capitol grounds, beside the miner statue on the west side of the grounds, just a few hours before the scheduled arrival of the president.
 
Organizers said the rally was planned "to demonstrate disapproval with federal policies affecting West Virginia’s mining industry and the state residents it supports."

An Open Letter to President Obama: Answers must address the root of the drug problem

Bill Raney, President

West Virginia Coal Association

Thank you, President Obama, for coming to West Virginia to discuss the rampant drug problem faced by our state, our region and, indeed, our nation. 

Perhaps no place has been more affected by the scourge of drugs — both prescription and illegal — than West Virginia. And perhaps no place in West Virginia has been more affected than the coalfields.

I can honestly say I don’t think there is a family in this state that hasn’t been touched by this problem.

Whether it is the disabled coal miner who becomes addicted to pain medications or the teenager who gets hooked on illegal drugs or even the middle-aged professional who becomes dependent on alcohol or narcotics, substance abuse spares no one.

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Capito and Manchin Lead Bipartisan Effort to Roll Back Obama Administration's Job Killing

CHARLESTON – The U.S. Senate passed a pair of resolutions November 17th  that disapprove of the two primary components of the EPA’s job-killing “Clean Power Plan.” The bills were passed in large part through the bipartisan leadership of West Virginia Senators Capito and Manchin, who joined with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), in pushing the legislation through.

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Registration To Begin for the 2016 Symposium

CHARLESTON -- In the next two weeks, initial pre-registration information for the 2016 West Virginia Mining Symposium will be forwarded to all members and interested parties.  As usual, this 42nd Annual event will be held at the Charleston Civic Center and will feature environmental and safety workshops and a full agenda of national and state experts and leaders discussing issues and developments most pertinent to our industry, as well as the annual Environmental Achievement and Mountaineer Guardian Safety Awards.   The specific dates for the upcoming Symposium are Wednesday, January 27th – 29th.  Please be watching for this pre-registration information as we hope this will continue to be one of the largest gatherings of coal mining people in the country.

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WV DEP Submission of Water Quality Standards Rule

CHARLESTON --West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) officially submitted the Emergency Rule revisions to the state's water quality standards for aluminum and selenium to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. EPA has 60 days following receipt of a proposed state water quality standard revision to approve the change or 90 days to disapprove the proposed modification. On Sunday, the Legislative Rulemaking-Review Committee of the West Virginia Legislature approved the companion package for the Emergency Rule without modification.