WVCA' President Chris Hamilton provided the keynote address during the Institute’s Annual Scholarship Dinner at the Country Club in Chapmanville WV.   

Hamilton talked about the industry having a once in a lifetime opportunity and how important the southern coal fields are to the overall health of the state.  

Hamilton congratulated scholarship winners from Logan Mingo and Boone Counties. 

Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Coal Association today expressed its strong and overwhelming support for President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's plan to roll back dozens of Biden-era regulations in a move towards revitalizing the coal industry, stabilizing grid reliability, and promoting economic growth in West Virginia and across the nation. 

West Virginia - the heart of America’s coal country - has found its ideal political leadership in incoming President Donald Trump, Governor Patrick Morrisey, Senators Capito and Justice and Congressional Representatives Miller and Moore.  Add in our state legislative leadership of Hanshaw and Smith, their legislative colleagues and members of the Board of Public Works, together, they represent a bright new dawn for our state, one where the coal industry isn’t just surviving but thriving. They bring a bold vision, unwavering commitment, and proven leadership that promises to elevate West Virginia's economy and protect its way of life. 

There is a sudden, unexpected and massive rise in electricity demand occurring across the country due to a variety of factors converging before us.

Large power-gobbling data centers necessary to support our nation’s ever-increasing digital activities and the evolution of artificial intelligence technologies are a primary factor.

Our growing economy, the rise in remote work, personal technology reliance, and electric vehicle usage are also contributing to this demand.

This is great news for states like West Virginia, which generate more electricity than it consumes and has the capability and capacity to accommodate the expected growth in demand.

Not only is West Virginia blessed with indigenous coal supplies, but we also check the box for available land mass and plentiful water supplies necessary for power development.

A newly released white paper by Energy Ventures Analysis (EVA), prepared for America’s Power, demonstrates the essential role that coal-based power generation plays in keeping West Virginia’s electricity rates stable and affordable. The analysis found that coal dependency has helped maintain lower rates over the past two decades, providing stability unmatched by many other states.

“States like West Virginia, where coal-fired generation is a primary energy source, benefit from some of the country’s most affordable electricity,” said Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America’s Power. “Forcing a shift away from coal often leads to price hikes, which can significantly impact household budgets and the broader economy.”

West Virginia, where coal accounts for 88% of electricity generation, boasts electricity rates nearly 20% below the national average and the second-lowest among states east of the Mississippi. The state’s rates have consistently declined since 2016, attributed to its coal reliance, proximity to reserves, and regulated market structure.

Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, emphasized, “Coal’s reliability in West Virginia keeps electricity affordable, a crucial factor as costs rise in other sectors.”

The EVA report also noted that states moving away from coal in favor of natural gas and renewables have faced higher electricity costs and greater price volatility. Bloodworth cautioned, “Policies that close coal plants threaten reliable, affordable electricity access, as increased costs for utilities ultimately affect consumers.”

For more information, please visit www.AmericasPower.org