The West Virginia Coal Association and Friends of Coal launched a web-based comments tool on the EPA’s NSPS standards last month.  To date, the tool has been used to send approximately 2,200 letters directly to EPA Administrator McCarthy asking that the EPA stop its job-killing agenda.  With a little less than two weeks to go before the comments period ends, we expect to reach 3,000 letters by the end of the period.  This response is in addition to and supplements the postcard campaign we have undertaken as well as the ACCCE and Count on Coal campaigns.  You can access the tool via this link: http://www.wvcoal.com/soundoff/.

On Wednesday, MSHA announced the release of a final rule to lower the current dust standard by 25%, from 2.0 milligrams per cubic meter of air to 1.5 milligrams in all underground and surface coal mines.  Immediately, a great deal of concern was expressed by the Association, NMA and several companies for the overwhelming economic burden these rules will place on the industry with questionable resulting benefit.  MSHA’s “cherry-picking” of data to support their position while disregarding legions of contrary findings and the immense progress that has been achieved over the past decade through cooperation between the companies, miners and agencies.  Personal protective measures were not included while mandating the use of equipment that is not yet refined or available in the quantities that will be required.  While these rules seem to be, yet another, attack on the industry in the Obama administration’s War on Coal, WVCA member, Murray Energy, filed an intention to sue MSHA over the arbitrary means used in developing these rules.   The full Association statement is included below.   

We have been informed by the Department of Motor Vehicles that a FOC motorcycle license plate has been approved and will be available for application shortly.  We will keep you posted on this exciting news.  This will be the FIRST specialty plate for motorcycles in WV.

The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting its first golf tournament on Friday, June 20^th at the White Oak Country Club, 1206 Summerlee Road, Oak Hill, WV.  For more information and/or registration information contact:  dcorcoran@beavercoal.com

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.