The 2012 Miners’ Celebration Conference at the Tamarack in Beckley, WV (www.tamarackwv.com) on October 4-5, 2012, is being hosted by Marshall University; the WV Coal Association; the WV Department of Energy, Office of Coalfield Community Development; the National Coal Heritage Area; Strategic Solutions, LLC; and the UMWA.

The past, present and future of the mining industry depends upon thousands of individuals in key roles who contribute significantly to each ton of coal produced – its “enterprise ecosystem”. It is because of them AND YOU that the mining industry is the success it is today. On October 4 and 5, 2012, we will celebrate the contributions that have been made, are being made and will be made to West Virginia’s mining enterprise ecosystem.

Although such an ecosystem is made up of hundreds of disciplines, a small subset of the ecosystem’s disciplines has been identified and nominations for ‘Because of You’ awards are requested for outstanding individuals or groups that have made and/or are making significant contributions in the following area of the mining enterprise ecosystem.

A nomination form and eligible ecosystem categories are provided on the following pages.

NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please include contact information for yourself as well as your nominee(s) and indicate the number and title of the category for which they are being nominated. Multiple nominations are allowed but are limited to one nomination per category. Please limit nomination statement and supporting documentation to no more than 3 pages per nominee. Nominations may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed as directed on the form. It is expected that Marshall University’s Department of Communications will videotape interviews with successful awardees for presentation in the Tamarack Theater on Friday, October 5th, as we honor the ‘Because of You’ award winners

IT’S YOUR FUTURE...REACH HIGHER

MetroNews, along with our sponsors is proud to announce the fourth annual West Virginia Scholar Program.

The West Virginia Scholar Program allows us the opportunity to help change the life of a West Virginia family forever.  If you are currently a junior in High School in West Virginia, over the next six weeks you will have an opportunity to shape your own future. By participating in the The West Virginia Scholar program, you could receive four years of tuition and fees at West Virginia Wesleyan College, one of our state’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning.

If you are a current high school junior dreaming of making your future the very brightest it can be, MetroNews makes you this promise: If you participate in the The West Virginia Scholar Program, we will give you the chance to win your dream. Please click on the Apply Now button and complete the application materials as directed. Everyone here at MetroNews wishes you the best of luck. You could be the 2012 MetroNews Energize West Virginia Scholar!

The Arch Coal Foundation honored 12 outstanding West Virginia classroom teachers today with Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Awards. It is the state's longest running, privately sponsored teacher recognition program.

Announcement of the teachers receiving a 2012 Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award was made by Mr Steven F Leer, Arch Coal chairman and chief executive officer. He was accompanied by West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee.

The Friends of Coal is once again joining with the West Virginia Radio Corporation and MetroNews to sponsor the WV Scholars Program. Friends of Coal will be the title sponsor of the scholarship program.  The program is a full, four-year scholarship covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board at West Virginia Wesleyan College. 

Valued at $125,000, the scholarship will be awarded to one lucky student from West Virginia who is currently a member of the junior class in high school.

You can apply for the scholarship by going to wvscholar.com

CHARLESTON – A Senate Resolution introduced by Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) would nullify the EPA’s Utility MACT rule, finalized this past December. Under Congressional rules, if the resolution gains 30 pledges of support from the Senate, it must be placed on the Senate Calendar for vote. With a simple majority vote by the full Senate, the resolution would overturn the MACT rule.

We urge West Virginia Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller to support the Inhofe Resolution. The EPA’s Utility MACT rule is the agency’s most expensive regulation ever for power plants. It imposes steep costs to the economy and endangers hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide, with many of them right here in West Virginia.