According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly production report, for the week ending 12/14/13, U.S. metallurgical exports through October 2013 were down 6.2% as compared to the same period last year (55.7million tons v. 59.4 million tons) and steam coal exports were off by 8.5% (43.4 million tons v. 47.4 million tons). Imported coal was also down 4.5% for this period (7.3 million tons v. 7.6 million tons).   West Virginia’s 2013 year-to-date production, through 12/14, was down 2.2% statewide when compared to the same period in 2012 (113.2 million tons v. 115.7 million tons), with northern WV production up 1.9% (40.5 million tons v. 39.7 million tons) and southern WV off 4.4% (72.7 million tons v. 76 million tons). U.S. year-to-date production through 12/7 was down 1.9% (957.1 million tons v. 975.5 million tons).

Earlier this week, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review the EPA’s retroactive veto of Mingo Logan Coal Company’s permit in Logan County.  Twenty-six other states’ Attorneys General joined in the brief thanks to the coordinating efforts of AG Morrisey.  A related story is attached to this Coal Bits.

West Virginia’s energy industry movers and shakers were on hand Tuesday, December 17, for the annual Governor’s Energy Summit in Charleston.

West Virginia’s primary energy resource – coal – took center stage for the event, held at the Charleston Marriott Town Center.

Bob Murray, founder and president of Murray Energy, which recently completed the acquisition of the majority of Consol Energy’s coal mining properties in the state, was on hand to give the keynote address.

West Virginia University announced today that Sarah Smith, Alpha Natural Resources’ Director of Government and External Affairs in West Virginia, has been named Associate Vice President for State and Corporate Relations, a new position, beginning in January.   Sarah has been active with the Association as the alternate representative for First Vice Chairman Kevin Crutchfield and as Chairwoman of the Association’s Public Relations Committee.  We appreciate her support and assistance and wish her the very best in her new challenges.

The 41^st Annual Coal Mining Symposium is set for January 29 – 31^st, 2014 at the Charleston Civic Center.  Exhibit and Sponsorship information was sent to everyone the end of last week and responses have been numerous.  The general registration will be sent later today by e-mail and will also be available on-line at www.wvcoal.com

A block of sleeping rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express (directly across from the Civic Center) at a rate of $99.00 per night.  To reserve your room please call the Holiday Inn Express directly at304.345.0600 and let them know you want to be in the block of WVCA rooms.