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West Virginia Coal Association Endorses Manchin for U.S. Senate Seat

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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 villainize 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 situations 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.
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Bluefield Coal Symposium

The West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal were on hand at the just-completed Bluefield Coal Symposium. The focus of this year’s event was on mine safety and health. WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton spoke about the “Impact of West Virginia Coal.”  He was joined by a host of other speakers including Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health (MSHA) Joe Main, ICG CEO Ben Hatfield, ANR CEO Kevin Crutchfield and Gary White, president and CEO of IRP and Chairman of the West Virginia Coal Association. This year’s agenda also featured a series of workshops and sessions focused on mine safety issues. Entertainment was provided by country music artist Stella Parton.
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MSHA Announces Emergency Temporary Rock Dush Standard

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that on Sept. 23 the Federal Register is expected to publish an emergency temporary standard that revises the existing federal standard on maintenance of incombustible content of rock dust.  The determination to create an ETS was based on MSHA’s review of accident investigation reports of mine explosions in intake air courses that involved coal dust, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s report “Recommendations for a New Rock Dusting Standard to Prevent Coal Dust Explosions in Intake Airways,” which can be viewed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2825.htm. 
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Fly Ash Hearings

EPA is holding a series of eight public hearings on the agency’s proposals to regulate the disposal and management of coal fly ash from coal-fired power plants. EPA’s proposal is the first-ever national effort to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants.  One of the remaining hearings will be in Louisville, KY on September 28th. 
            
The hearing in Louisville will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m. with a break at noon and 5 p.m. The hearing will continue past 9 p.m. if necessary. Walk-in requests to speak will be accommodated as time permits. Written comments will be accepted at the hearing. The agency will consider the public’s comments in its final decision.
 
The need for national management criteria and regulation was emphasized by the December 2008 spill of coal ash from a surface impoundment near Kingston, TN. The proposal will ensure for the first time that protective controls, such as liners and ground water monitoring, are in place at new landfills to protect groundwater and human health. Existing surface impoundments will also require liners, with strong incentives to close these impoundments and transition to safer landfills which store coal ash in dry form. The proposed regulations will ensure stronger oversight of the structural integrity of impoundments and promote environmentally safe and desirable forms of recycling coal ash, known as beneficial uses.
 
EPA has proposed two main management approaches, one of which phases out surface impoundments and moves all coal ash to landfills; the other allows coal ash to be disposed in surface impoundments, but with stricter safety criteria. 
 
More information about the proposed regulation: http://www.epa.gov/coalashrule. To view the chart comparing the two approaches: http://www.epa.gov/coalashrule/ccr-table.htm.
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Friends of Coal Continue Outreach Efforts Into Fall

The Friends of Coal’s outreach campaign continues with next week’s 2010 Central West Virginia Business and Coal Forum in Summersville.  The event will begin at 5:30 at the Summersville Arena and Convention Center. The focus of the event will be the opportunities and challenges facing the coal mining in Appalachia. Speakers will include Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association and representatives of several of the major coal companies and organizations in the region. The event will be keynoted by Lt. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, president of the West Virginia State Senate, who will speak about the legislative perspective on coal mining. The event will be followed by a reception from 8:00-9:00 p.m.  It is sponsored by the West Virginia Coal Association, the Friends of Coal and the Coalition for Mountaintop Mining.
 
If you would like to schedule the Friends of Coal for a presentation or event, please call 304.342.4153.