The Friends of Coal is continuing its outreach efforts on several fronts into the fall. In addition to a full schedule of conferences and events planned for the fall, the organization is hosting various groups of college students interested in learning about the industry.
Earlier this week, the Friends of Coal spoke with a group of students from the University of Charleston and a group of Wheeling Jesuit students will be in visiting on October 21.
In addition, Friends of Coal was represented this past weekend at the annual Rocket Boys Festival in Coalwood. More than 3,000 people were on-hand for the event held in the hometown of the Rocket Boys, made famous in the movie “October Sky.”
Later this month, the Friends of Coal will be taking part in a conference hosted by the West Virginia State Board of Education intended to begin development of a secondary schools curriculum to prepare high school students for careers in the energy and mining sector. The conference will be held in Fairmont.
And the Friends of Coal will be attending the annual meeting of Create West Virginia in Wheeling later this month. Create West Virginia is an extension of the Vision Shared organization, founded by the late-Gov. Cecil Underwood to lead the economic development and diversification efforts of the state.
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Yesterday, Senator Jay Rockefeller said "With the Senate heading into recess and a lame duck session on the horizon, one of the remaining items that this Congress must consider is my bill to suspend EPA regulation of greenhouse gases for two years. As I have said repeatedly, the Majority Leader has committed to allowing a vote on my bill this year and I believe we have more and more momentum to get it passed in the Senate.
"Even in the face of the President's veto threat, we must send a clear message that Congress - not an unelected regulatory agency - must set our national energy policy. Together we must make sure that in this very fragile economic recovery, our manufacturing and energy sectors are able to grow and generate jobs. We can address emissions and secure a future for the U.S. coal industry, but we need the time to get it right and to move clean coal technology forward.
"This bill is one of my top priorities and it is needed as soon as possible to reduce the uncertainty facing so many American industries at a time when we need them to invest in our economy and create jobs. EPA is set to begin regulating on January 2, so we cannot let up on our fight to move this issue forward."
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The West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal joined with the Summersville Chamber of Commerce to host the 2nd Annual Coal Symposium Tuesday in Summersville.
More than 300 people attended the event, which featured speakers from coal companies operating in the area. The theme of the evening was the economic importance and impact of coal on the region and state.
Headlining the event was Senate President and Lt. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Tomblin spoke of the importance of having coal as the foundation of the state’s economy. He said it was largely because of the dependability and strength of the coal industry that the state has been able to maintain a strong financial position despite the economic downturn across the country.
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The deadline to register to vote is quickly approaching. The last day to register to vote in Kentucky is October 4th, and in Virginia and West Virginia on October 12th. It is easy to register to vote. Check out the process in your area www.minethevote.org. This is a vital election for the future of our nation, our state and our industry. The Friends of Coal encourages everyone to vote in November.
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CHARLESTON – The Board of Directors of the West Virginia Coal Association today endorses Governor Joe Manchin for the United States Senate. We do so for the following reasons:
For the past six years, and particularly the past two, the coal industry has not had a more aggressive and knowledgeable advocate in the public arena.
-- Considered “too conservative” by some and “too liberal” by others, Governor Manchin offers a common-sense approach to the issues facing our nation – something we desperately need during the current economic crisis.
-- At a time when many are worried about the “hyper-partisanship” of Washington, Gov. Manchin can provide a bridge across the aisle. We believe he will be the independent voice we need – someone who focuses on what works and not some political agenda.
-- He has provided strong and sound economic leadership to our state. Together with the coal industry and the leadership of the West Virginia State Legislature, Governor Manchin has given our state a stable, sound fiscal policy and has guided our state through the current economic recession while being only one of four states that have maintained a balanced budget.
-- Governor Manchin does what he believes is right for the people of West Virginia and doesn’t allow partisan politics to color his judgment. He has “stood up” to his own party leadership when he thought it was wrong. He has told President Obama several times, in face-to-face meetings, that he and his friends in Congress are wrong to villianize coal. The Governor has championed our coal mining jobs and has worked tirelessly to break the EPA permit gridlock so that our mining operations can keep West Virginians working.
-- Governor Manchin opposes any form of Cap & Trade legislation that threatens the jobs that our coal mining families depend on for their livelihoods. He believes in the sanctity of the secret ballot and believes it must be preserved in labor situation as well as the public sphere.
-- Governor Manchin believes all forms of coal mining are critical to meeting our nation’s long-term energy needs as our nation’s economy regains its footing. He would work to pass the bill proposed by Sen. Rockefeller that would prohibit EPA making law and enforcing by regulation what the Obama Administration can’t get passed in legislation. He would extend that prohibition permanently from the two years proposed by the current bill.
-- As senator, Governor Manchin would enter office already recognized as an energy expert. During his service as governor and as chairman of the Democratic Governor’s Association, the National Governor’s Association and the Southern States Energy Board, he has persuasively and effectively championed the role of coal in our nation’s energy future.
Above all, Governor Manchin is a proud West Virginian, committed to building a future for our state and our nation. He fully understands how important the continued mining of West Virginia coal is to the security and well-being of America. We are pleased to offer our endorsement of Governor Joe Manchin for the United States Senate.