Now that the launch of the new “Mining in Society Merit Badge” has been successful, all of us in the mining industry are being encouraged to become involved with the new Boy Scouts of America merit badge, as merit badge counselors. The project was a joint venture between the BSA and SME.  A free SME webinar (April 30^th) will outline the badge and the process to become a counselor to help promote the program.  https://smenet.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=smenet&service=6

Click here to register for the “Mining in Society” Counselor Training on April 30. The session will be one hour.

The 2014 Joint Spring Meeting of the WV Coal Association, WV Coal Mining Institute and the CAS/SME will be held on May 7-9 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV.  The agenda and registration information can be obtained from the WVCA offices by e-mailing:  sdavison@wvcoal.com.  The Hall of Fame induction will be on Thursday evening.

Walter Energy’s Maple Coal Operations made a donation to the Upper Kanawha Valley Community Center to help support the center’s ongoing community outreach programs including providing meals to area residents and operating a local senior citizen center.

Maple Coal Operations has partnered with the Community Center for several years to provide food and has made other donations to help the Center continue its work serving the area.  Good Job, Maple Coal/Walter Energy!

GMS’s Midwest Manager, Dave Jones, has qualified to run in the Boston Marathon next Monday. Part of what some runners do is raise money for charity in conjunction with John Hancock (the race sponsors).  Dave decided to run for the homeless and tie that with the facts that without coal, energy costs rise and homelessness grows.  They told him that he could not do that because coal was not connected to homelessness and was too political.  Furthermore, Family Aid Boston, who operates the race, told him that he could not promote coal during the race and wear their “team” logo (which almost every runner does).  Because of the importance of this issue to Dave, he has decided to run wearing the coal issues on his clothes and a hard hat for the entire race and forgo wearing the Boston approved clothing.

On March 8, 2014 the WV Legislature passed SB 461 creating the West Virginia Future Fund (the “Fund”).  SB 461 was signed by the Governor on March 20, 2014 and takes effect on June 6, 2014 (90 days from passage).

The Fund is a special revenue account which is to be invested by the WV Investment Management Board.  The Legislature declared its intent to use the Fund as a means of conserving a portion of state revenue derived from the increased revenue proceeds received by the state as a result of mineral production, as well as other funding sources that may be designated in the future.