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Help Protect American Coal Jobs

What: Field Hearing on OSM-BLM Consolidation
When: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, (5-8 p.m.)
Where: Charleston, W.Va., West Virginia National Guard Armory, 1703 Coonskin Drive

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a field hearing in Charleston, W.Va. at the West Virginia National Guard Armoryon Wednesday Jan. 19 to solicit input on the proposed consolidation of OSM within BLM.

By The Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- A proposed longwall mining complex in north-central West Virginia could create as many as 520 jobs. 

CONSOL Energy says the Mason-Dixon Mining Complex it's planning near Wadestown in Monongalia County would indirectly support about 2,600 jobs. It's expected to produce coal for about 30 years.

The Dominion Post says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking public comments on the project's environmental impact Tuesday.

Permit records at the state Department of Environmental Protection show the northern boundary of the mine's refuse site could come within 100 feet of Oak Forest United Methodist Church and Oak Forest Cemetery. 

But Pastor Rose Saunders says her members are comfortable with Consol's plans. 

Consol officials say construction could begin in about two years, but the timing depends on market conditions.

The 2012 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature officially kicked off with the Governor’s annual State of the State Address to a joint session this past Wednesday at the State Capitol.

In his address, Governor Tomblin provided a broad outline of where we are as a state and where he intends to lead us this year. Tax reform, fiscal responsibility, investment in education and energy are the centerpieces of his agenda.

Governor Tomblin was also unequivocal with his support of West Virginia’s 63,000 coal mining families, promising to continue fighting an out-of-control federal bureaucracy.