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.
“Data centers don’t run on intermittent power,” Hamilton said. “They need energy that’s always on—and that’s coal.”
He also spoke in support of HB 2014, legislation aimed at reinforcing the Legislature’s authority over how federal funds are spent in the state. Hamilton linked the bill to broader concerns over energy infrastructure investments, urging policymakers to ensure those decisions are made transparently and in line with West Virginia’s long-term energy strategy.
His remarks were well-received by attendees, sparking questions on energy diversification, carbon policy, and the state’s role in national power reliability.