More than 80 coal miners packed a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) public hearing in support of changes to two West Virginia water quality standards. The crowd of miners, wearing their work clothes with reflective stripes, greatly outnumbered a handful of environmental group representatives.

DEP’s Division of Water and Waste Management has proposed changes to the way West Virginia calculates its standards for aluminum and selenium.  The proposed new rule would effectively bring the state’s standards into compliance with the rest of the nation.  

U.S. Coal Production Up Again Week Over Week 

Coal production in the U.S. rose sharply for the week ending July 18, compared to the previous week – continuing the positive trend of the past few weeks.  However production continues to fall short of last year according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) for the week.

The 2015 edition of Coal Facts, the West Virginia Coal Association’s annual statistical report, is now in production and will be ready for distribution within the next two weeks. The publication will feature updates on the status of the coal industry in the state, production, employment and distribution data, a review of state coal severance tax collections and distributions as well as county-by-county data.

Support Changes to WV’s Water Quality Standards that will Help Stabilize the Coal Industry

WHEN:  July 21, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m.

WHERE:  Coopers Rock Training Room at DEP headquarters in Kanawha City, Charleston.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has FINALLY proposed revisions to the state’s water quality standard for SELENIUM. 

The Greenbrier has reached maximum capacity for WVCA’s Annual Meeting on August 6 – 8, 2015.  If you’ve not already done so, we ask those who have rooms reserved for the meeting to please return your event registration forms, which are attached, to Sandi at the Association office as soon as possible so we can insure good counts for each of our events. The Saturday Brunch will be featuring a very special surprise guest so you want to incorporate that event into your family’s attendance plans. In addition to the fun-filled, family- focused three days we will have informative programs and special recognitions for our 100^th Anniversary, including our very own photographers being available for photos during the whole weekend.  Please call Sandi at the Association, 304-342-4153.