Chris Hamilton, senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association, testified on behalf of the Association at two public hearings held this week in Charleston by the US Dept of Labor’s MSHA on the agencies’ Pattern of Violation POV and “Examination of Work Areas” proposed rules.

Concerning the “Examination of Work Areas” proposal, Hamilton cited the improprieties of MSHA requiring state certified mine examiners who are presently required to cite hazardous conditions as part of their fire boss runs in underground coal mines, to additionally be responsible for enforcing federal law and citing federal violations.

WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton will serve as the keynote speaker at the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters’ summer meeting July 11-13 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston. The group will also tour the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and the Hobet operations in Boone County.  Hamilton will speak on the importance of coal and the progress of reclamation and reforestation of surfaced mined areas.

WVCA’s Annual Meeting at The Greenbrier is set for August 4^th – 6^th.  Registration has been e-mailed.  If you did not receive information on registering for the Annual Meeting please contact Sandi Davison (304) 342.4153 or sdavison@wvcoal.com.

A special casual weekend is being planned with our congressional delegation being invited to participate.  Saturday night will also be casual “Beach Party Night” with some of the original Beach Boys entertaining our group.

Also, The Greenbrier has instructed us that once our block of rooms is depleted, the price of rooms will return to their usual rates – so make your room reservations immediately.

The Friends of Coal continue their outreach efforts with the following events:

 - Developed a new 60-second Friends of Coal radio spot to thank West Virginia’s Congressional delegation for their work to end the EPA’s assault on West Virginia coal with their introduction of HR 2018.

 - Continued work on the State Journal direct message piece. The section now looks to be 40-48 pages and will feature news and profile pieces for industry issues and Association members.

 - Provided Friends of Coal yard signs at the request Arch Coal CAP posted throughout Boone County.  Worked with the CAP for media contacts, as well.

 - The Friends of Coal (Coal Friend) Facebook page topped 1,600 actual “Friends.” This page is not set up as a fan page but rather to facilitate two-way communication.

Wood County Delegate Dies Following Stroke

Wood County Republican Delegate Larry Border died Wednesday evening after suffering a massive stroke Tuesday evening.

Border, who turned 60 last Friday, was serving his 11th term in the House of Delegates, having won his first election in 1990.