With an announced $500 million commitment to expand the Beyond Carbon campaign, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg seeks to shut down every remaining coal-fired power plant in the country, slash natural gas plant capacity in half, and block any new gas plants, all within the next six years.

“As I said in 2019 when Bloomberg last reinvigorated his crusade, it’s an absolute attack on our state, our families, our livelihoods, and it directly impacts north of 50,000 people collectively here in West Virginia,” said Chris Hamilton, President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association. “It’s un-American that someone would use their wealth to destroy our nation and state’s industrial base, sending West Virginians to the unemployment line while at the same time jeopardizing electric reliability and security in America.”

By: Chris Hamilton President & CEO West Virginia Coal Association

In a recent column by MetroNews Talkline Host Hoppy Kercheval, he quotes Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce, as saying, “From 2017 to 2021…West Virginia generated $6.2 billion in private capital investment…The state generated $6.2 billion in 2022 alone. In one year, we did more than the previous years”.

Secretary Carmichael and the Department of Economic Development staff are to be commended for their tireless efforts to attract business to the state and their recent successes. It is our hope that all these economic development announcements come to fruition and create thousands of jobs for West Virginians throughout every corner of the state.

The West Virginia Coal Association, the state’s primary coal membership organization representing over 90 percent of state thermal coal production and 65 percent of metallurgical coal production, today praised Governor Jim Justice for featuring the startup of the Pleasants Power Station during his opening remarks at the WV Chamber Commerce Business Summit on Wednesday morning.  

During his remarks, Governor Justice announced the startup of the Pleasants Power Plant and raved about the significant contributions of coal and coal fired electric generation to the state, region, and country.

The West Virginia Coal Association, the state’s primary coal membership organization representing over 90 percent of state thermal coal production and 65 percent of metallurgical coal production, today announced the organization’s endorsements for the 2024 election cycle.

Chris Hamilton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “The 2024 state and federal election cycle is the most important in our industry’s history dating back before West Virginia become a state. Our industry is challenged like never before and our mere existence is threatened. We need political leaders who are willing to go the extra mile for our business and the 50,000 West Virginians who show up at a mine site or coal fired manufacturing facility every day. We will immediately go to work to boost our endorsed candidates' chances of prevailing in the Spring.” 

Hamilton announced the following endorsements: 

By: Chris Hamilton President & CEO West Virginia Coal Association

Throughout our states 160-year history, the coal industry has been a major driver behind West Virginia’s economy and billions of dollars of new investment will ensure that similar benefits are generated for the next 160 years.

Despite all the hype you hear about a zero-carbon economy and transitioning to renewable, or intermittent energy forms, West Virginia’s metallurgical and thermal coals will continue to drive our economy while remaining a stable component of our state and nation’s energy mix.