Dear Mr. President,  

On behalf of the 60,000 West Virginians who show up at a coal mine and coal-fired power plant every day, we say Thank You! 

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments about coal mining and for taking the necessary steps to undo the job-killing, anti-coal measures enacted by your predecessor and the multitude of federal agencies that regulate virtually every aspect of coal production and consumption. With your vision and leadership, we can rebuild and sustain this great industry for all the right reasons: national security, grid stability, rebuilding American industrial might and putting more Americans to work topower our rejuvenated economy.  

As you are aware, West Virginia produces some of the highest-quality thermal coal found anywhere in the world. West Virginia’s “best in class” metallurgical coal is used for steel making and infrastructure build-out here at home and around the globe.  Our state leads the nation in exporting high-quality coal to forty-eight foreign destinations, contributing to your goal of establishing world peace by providing American energy to allies and balancing global trade. 

As the nation’s second-largest coal-producing state and the largest producer of metallurgical coal our political leadership shares your vision for coal. Governor Morrisey, Senators Capito and Justice, Congressional Representatives Miller and Moore, and West Virginia Senate President Smith and West Virginia House Speaker Hanshaw all anxiously await the opportunity to partner with you, and your energy team. We desire to work with you to upgrade and fine-tune our coal-fired plants which are so extremely important to baseload power supplies in our state and region. 

Our request: we would like to set up a meeting with you and your energy team, our coal industry and political leadership at your earliest opportunity to formulate and strengthen a partnership to combine our energy resources and expertise to take full advantage of advancing our shared goals.  

We want to partner with you to Make America and West Virginia Great Again!  

Mr. President, we believe we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity under your Presidency to boost this great American industry and hope you will make time to meet with us soon. 

Sincerely Yours,    

Chris Hamilton, President 
West Virginia Coal Association 

Cc:       WV Governor Patrick Morrisey 

            US Senator Shelley Moore Capito 

            US Senator Jim Justice 

            US Congresswoman Carol Miller 

            US Congressman Riley Moore 

            WV Senate President Randy Smith 

            WV House Speaker Roger Hanshaw 

The Environmental Protection Agency was in Charleston Wednesday claiming the Trump administration wants to cut red tape and permitting costs.

Defining what makes up the Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, impacts who calls the shots on making sure our water is clean and safe.

The EPA was on the losing end of a 2023 Supreme Court case and is now redefining where it is in charge and where states are. Critical wording involves the exact meaning of permanent, defining exactly what a continuous surface connection to wetlands means, and exactly what a ditch is.

Dear Governor Morrisey:

Thank you for including us in the development and passage of HB 2014 “Power Generation and Consumption Act". Full implementation of this legislation will serve to solidify West Virginia's place as the nation’s "Energy State".

With coal being the centerpiece of the initial phase of this legislative act, we are eager to work with you and your staff towards shoring up our in-state coal assets so they can provide higher volumes of base load power supplies to serve growing power demands, including new data centers that are incentivized in HB 2014. 

As the President and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the West Virginia Legislature and Governor Patrick Morrisey for their bold leadership in passing HB2014, the Microgrid bill, during the recently concluded 2025 legislative regular session.

This landmark legislation is a game-changer for our state, securing the future of our coal industry while paving the way for unprecedented economic growth. HB2014 is not just a bill; it’s a blueprint for prosperity that honors our heritage and embraces innovation. Let me explain why this legislation is vital for the coal industry, our communities, and West Virginia’s economic renaissance.

For generations, coal has been the lifeblood of West Virginia, powering homes, fueling industries, and sustaining families across our state. Yet, our industry has faced relentless challenges—federal regulations, market shifts, and a push for alternative energy have threatened the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking West Virginians.

Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, addressed members of the Charleston Rotary Club during their April 28 meeting in Charleston, delivering a direct message on the future of coal, the rise of data centers, and the significance of House Bill 2014.
Hamilton discussed the enduring role of coal in powering the state’s economy and electric grid, noting that coal remains not only reliable but essential in meeting industrial and residential energy demands. He emphasized that West Virginia’s coal-fired power plants are critical for energy-intensive industries, including emerging data centers, which require massive, uninterrupted power loads.