The West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal will be taking part in a pro-coal rally July 30th in Pittsburgh. Dubbed “Operation No Surrender,” the event will take place to coincide with the EPA’s Public Hearing on its Existing Source Performance Standards for coal-fired power plants that will be held on July 31st in Pittsburgh – the closest location to the West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio coalfields.

Transportation to the event will be provided at several bus pickup points around the region. Those interested in attending will be asked to pre-register. More details should be available early next week. Check your emails and our Facebook pages for more information.

To comply with the new respirable dust sampling requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s 2014 Final Dust Rule, a training class to certify persons in respirable dust sampling will be offered at the Coal Mine Safety and Health District 3 office at 9 a.m. on July 18, 2014.  A written and hands-on examination will be administered following the training. 

Only notes taken during the training class are permitted to be used during the written examination.  Reservations are recommended as the class size is limited to 40 persons, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  For reservations and other information contact the District 3 Health Section at (304) 225-6826.

Charleston Daily Mail
Friday, July 11, 2014

On June 2, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed one of the most onerous regulations in American history, which would mandate that states require existing coal-fired power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering 30 percent in just 15 years.

This proposed rule would have devastating consequences on America’s economy, and the West Virginia economy in particular.

The 21^st West Virginia Coal Festival is set for June 17 thru June 21 in downtown Madison.  This year’s event will feature top-notch entertainers, a parade, miner’s memorial service, mine equipment exhibits, fireworks, carnival, beauty pageant and many other events.

Entertainment line-up:  June 19, Matt Stillwell & 7 Bridges; June 20, Rick Huckaby & LITTLE TEXAS; and, June 21, Autumn Blair & Katie Ohh.

Friends of Coal will be front-and-center for the event. The FOC will staff an informational booth at the festival. Also, West Virginia Coal Association Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton will be the featured speaker for the opening night of the event.

Jack Owens and his "Days of Gold" tour with Kellie Pickler will headline this year's Friends of Coal Auto Fair, which is set for July 18 – 20^th at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex in Beckley.  The Fair will again feature the car show, carnival rides, food, vendors, live music, special performance and surprise guests with upwards of 50,000 people from all over the country attending.  Visit the website:  www.friendsofcoalautofair.com<http://www.friendsofcoalautofair.com> for ticket, sponsorship, schedule and general information on this three-day weekend event.