Embracing New Direction

To The Editor:
 
There is a refreshing change moving through our wonderful state, from the panhandles to the southern coalfields and everywhere in between.  Last week’s election has left us with real optimism and a true sense of Mountaineer Spirit.

At the West Virginia Business & Industry Council, where representatives from 26 different industries work on issues to move West Virginia forward, and all across the state, we have high hopes and even higher expectations for those who will be leading West Virginia starting in January.

The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary was founded in 2007 as a nonprofit organization to inform those about the importance of coal and to support coal miners and their families. Because of the dedicated support and positive feedback from families and individuals, the Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary has grown into a nationwide organization of thousands of members. The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary has worked to become active participants in charity events; avid supporters of our miners, military and law enforcement; supporters of local conservation projects; providers of the Coal in the Classroom project and numerous other day to day activities in our community and beyond. All of this is possible because of our members who volunteer their time and efforts to raise money for coal awareness. Membership is FREE, and all are welcome to join the Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary. Join these hardworking, fun-loving individuals today to learn more about the energy that fuels your life and to make a positive contribution to your society.

SHOP ONLINE STORE, THE ONLY AUTHORIZED SOURCE FOR FRIENDS OF COAL MERCHANDISE.  

www.friendsofcoalladies.com<http://www.friendsofcoalladies.com

Jackson Kelly PLLC was once again named “Law Firm of the Year” in the Mining Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers for 2015

Anna Dailey was named new Charleston Managing Partner for Dinsmore & Shohl’s.

Whether scorched birds are a major issue at the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System inCalifornia is a matter of dispute. But the “power tower” solar plant and its owners -- NRG Energy, Google and BrightSource Energy -- might have an even more fundamental problem on their hands: generating adequate electricity.

The Mojave Desert plant, built with the aid of a $1.6 billion federal loan guarantee, kicked off commercial operation at the tail end of December 2013, and for the eight-month period from January through August, its three units generated 254,263 megawatt-hours of electricity, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. That’s roughly one-quarter of the annual 1 million-plus megawatt-hours that had been anticipated.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency projects that the price of natural gas will more than double by 2035 measured in constant 2012 dollars. Meanwhile, the same survey projects that steam coal prices will increase by less than 15 percent. 

The chart at right was included in the EIA’s Annual Energy Report. Following are key sections of that report.