West Virginia’s Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety has promulgated a new mine safety rule designed to enhance safety while miners are working around or near surface impoundments.  The rule which takes effect next month, on August 17th, requires all dumping areas or fills to be constructed and maintained in a manner to ensure safe operation and stability and all individuals working in proximity to dumping or fill areas to be trained in the procedures and potential hazards existing in such areas.  Additionally, the rule contains provisions for life jackets, ring buoys and a skiff to be on site when individuals are working near or over water.  A copy of the rule is available through the Association office.

The West Virginia Coal Forum – an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry – in conjunction with the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, will host a forum to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the coal industry from 9 a.m. to noon on July 23^rd at the Quality Hotel & Conference Center in Bluefield.  Entitled “West Virginia Coal – 2015 & Beyond”, this series of educational and informational events will bring attention to the impact of U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan, state and federal environmental regulations and strategies for confronting these critical issues head on. 

On Tuesday, July 7^th, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey joined several state organizations to host a town hall meeting in Putnam County to discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule regulating local waterways and his Office’s legal challenge to it.  In addition to Attorney General Morrisey, several local business leaders and representatives from the West Virginia Coal Association and West Virginia Business & Industry Council (Jason Bostic), Associated Builders and Contractors of West Virginia, Contractors Association of West Virginia (Mike Clowser), West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, West Virginia Farm Bureau (Charles Wilfong) and West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (Corky DeMarco) discussed the potential effects this rule could have on local landowners.

The upcoming August 17 TVMI golf tournament is the main fund raiser for its scholarship fund and is in need of your support for next year’s scholarships.  At its May meeting, six 2015 scholarship recipients were named.  The top two $6,000 scholarships were awarded to Erika Coleman and Caroline Hatfield, both from Belfry High School.  Four $750 scholarships were awarded to Benjamin Fitch & Aaron Tackett from Sheldon Clark High School, Adriana Fleming from Logan High School and Olivia Ooten from Tug Valley High School.  For more information or registration for the golf tournament contact Andy Ashurst (aashurst@alphanr.com) or Georgene Robertson (grobertson@archcoal.com).

Coal production in the U.S. fell sharply for the week ending July 4. And the decline from last year steepened, with production off 16.6% from last year’s levels according to the latest report from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) for the week.