The combination of the anti-coal policies of the Obama Administration and the EPA along with the lingering impacts of a worldwide economic downturn and a mild winter continue to pushU.S. coal production lower, while West Virginia production remains flat.

According to NMA, coal production is off nationally by 1.4 percent year-over-year for the 52 weeks ending March 17 – with just 1.07 billion tons produced. In West Virginia, production remains down 1.1 percent from this time last year – with state mines producing 134.1 million tons compared to 136.7 million tons a year ago.

Looking long-term, monthly raw steel production in the U.S.continues to trend upward slightly, up approximately 6.9 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, electricity output in the U.S is off 1.5 percent.

Adjutant General James Hoyer, commanding general of the West Virginia National Guard, is this month’s guest on The Coal Seam, the Association’s monthly television show. Hoyer joined host Chris Hamilton to discuss the development of Joint Base West Virginia and the partnership with the coal industry in developing unique training opportunities to better prepare our soldiers and airmen for service around the world.

The show will begin airing next week on your local cable system and on the Library Television Network. Check your local listings for air times.

The show is also available on the West Virginia Library Commission website http://www.librarycommission.wv.gov/programs/ltn/videoserver/Pages/coalseam.aspx.

Alpha Natural Resources CEO Kevin Crutchfield will be featured at the UC forum on Tuesday, March 27^th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Martin Consulting, LLC increasing sesrvices to the mining industry.  Tim A. Martin, who serves on our Health & Safety Committee has rejoined his firm as its president and plans to expand their business plan to focus on coal and metal/nonmetal mine health and safety issues.

The Friends of Coal manned a booth at the West Virginia Manufacturer’s Expo in Charleston this week, providing information, literature and other items to Expo visitors as part of its on-going outreach effort.

More than 1,000 people attended the Expo over two days at the Charleston Civic Center. The FOC distributed more than 500 copies of Coal Facts as well as our annual State Journal insert, stickers and information sheets.

The West Virginia Coal Association played host over the past two weeks to two more university groups taking part in Wheeling Jesuit’s coalfield tours program. The groups were fromLoyola University and Ohio University. Students heard presentations on the economic importance of coal to West Virginia, the process of mining and mine reclamation as well as post-mine land uses. Additional groups are being scheduled.