The Legislature made quick work of approving corrections to the minimum wage bill that had been passed during the Regular Session, but was subsequently vetoed by the Governor because of problems with federal exemptions and other items, which were corrected in this passed version.  Several appropriation bills were also passed to address specific funding concerns that had been identified in the previously approved budget. 

In addition, the Legislative leadership announced dates for the 2014 and January 2015 Interim Meetings, in Charleston.  June 16-18, no meetings in July or August, September 8-10, October 20-22, November 17-19, December 15-17 and January 11-13, 2015.  The 2015 Regular Session will begin on Wednesday, January 14th. 

According to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly production report, year-to-date U.S. metallurgical exports through March 2014 were down 7.2% as compared to the same period last year (16.9mt v. 18.2mt) and steam coal exports were off by 19% (10.8mt v. 13.4mt). Coal imports were up by 71.4% for the same year-to-date period (2.5mt v. 1.4mt). West Virginia’s 2014 year-to-date production, through 5/17, was down 0.8% statewide when compared to the same period in 2013 (44.9mt v. 45.3mt), with northern WV production down 0.7% (16.4mt v. 16.6mt) and southern WV was off 0.9% (28.5mt v. 28.7mt). U.S. year-to-date production through 5/17 was down 0.4% (370mt v. 371.3mt). There were 114,881 railroad cars loaded last week in the United States.

Earlier this week: Congressman David McKinley’s amendment was approved to the National Defense Authorization Act that will prevent the Department of Defense from spending any money to implement the Obama Administration’s climate change agenda.  Congressman McKinley said, “We should be focusing on our national security, not an ideological crusade!”

In preparation for EPA’s expected release of their proposed rule that sets the first-ever carbon emission standards for the country’s existing power plants on Monday,  June 2nd, the Association’s Ad Hoc GHG Group has been preparing background information and possible responses.   The Group will meet again this Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Charleston Civic Center.  The difficulty, however, has been the lack of information on what the final requirements of the rule will be, although rumors are circulating as to what they might specifically include?    A 25% reduction is being rumored, but the concern is what base year will be used, which, of course, will make a huge difference.  In addition, variations of other rumors are floating about relative to “inside the fence” considerations and whether EPA will provide appropriate flexibility to the States that will be consistent with the Clean Air Act?   We will provide additional information as it becomes available and can be verified. 

CHARLESTON, WV (May 9, 2014) – Claiming the U.S. EPA has completely ignored the tremendous impacts a new proposal will have on coal mining-dependent states and low income populations, the State of West Virginia and representatives from the West Virginia Coal Association and business community today announced the filing of formal comments opposing EPA’s new source performance standards rule for CO2 emissions from new coal-fired power plants.  

The news conference was held during the spring meeting of the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, Society of Professional Mining Engineers (SME) and West Virginia Coal Association, being held at the Embassy Suites Hotel.