Pennsylvania bituminous coal companies, workers and their families, and industry suppliers and manufacturers have announced the formation of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance (FORCE).

Former State Senator John Pippy will serve as CEO of the newly-formed alliance. “I am excited to lead the Pennsylavania Coal Alliance.  We are advocting for more than 40,000 coal companies, workers and families, and suppliers – but the reach of the industry and our Alliance is much broader than that,” said Pippy.

George Ellis, who served as President of the now-defunct Pennsylvania Coal Association, will stay on as the President of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, and will serve as the Alliance’s primary lobbyist.

The July episode of the Coal Seam television show is now airing on your local public access channels. WV Coal Association President Bill Raney was this month’s guest and discussed the current status of the coal industry in our state.

SCHEDULE:  The Coal Seam is broadcast across the state on your local cable systems. Check for times and days at http://www.librarycommission.wv.gov/programs/ltn/Documents/Library%20Television%20Network%20Schedule%202012.pdf.

STREAMING VIDEO:  The Coal Seam is available in streaming video at http://www.librarycommission.wv.gov/programs/ltn/videoserver/Pages/coalseam.aspx.

Host Chris Hamilton tapes the show at the State Library Commission television studios once a month, exploring topics of importance to our coal miners, their families and their communities.

By Julia Roberts Goad, Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON — Economic development in Mingo Countyis moving forward, with the development of a $4 billion coal-to-liquids plant,a new high school, and a golf course and a new highway, as the result of postmine land use and private-public partnerships.

The Daily News recently spoke with the Mingo County RedevelopmentAuthority (MCRA) about one of those projects, the King Coal Highway, a four-lane highwaywith partially controlled access between Williamson and Bluefield.

The KCH will run through McDowell, Mercer, Mingo,Wyoming and Wayne Countiesalong currently existing U.S. Route 52. The highway will ultimately coverapproximately 90 miles of southern West  Virginia, opening it up to faster, safertransportation.

Among other changes to WV’s mine safety laws, HB 4351 directs the Board of Miner Training Education and Certification to conduct a review of all applicable training requirements for miner specialty certifications and make recommendations to the Legislature by December 31, 2012.

The Board has partnered with the WVU Mining Extension Service to assist in its review and have jointly developed a proposal to guide this review going forward. A copy of this proposal has been forwarded to our members for review.

A major goal of this effort is to identify ways to improve the quality of state sponsored programs as well as a means or process to maintain the programs in a current state. Mine foreman, assistant mine foreman and apprentice miner programs will be given top priority.

It is envisioned that the Board and WVU will host several focus meetings to receive input and comment from the general mining community. You will be notified when these focus meetings are scheduled and encouraged to participate. If you need more information or have any questions please give WVCA Senior Vice President Chris Hamilton a call at 304.342.4153.

The Friends of Coal Ladies’ Auxiliary was formed in July 2007, to promote coal and its role in our state and national energy policies. The group is comprised of volunteers without any direct economic ties to coal companies who desire to enhance the image of coal by educating the public and raising awareness of the benefits of coal.

Since inception, they have met monthly and actively strived to increase membership to work in this united cause. They have been successful in establishing additional chapters, as well as, a junior chapter in order to cover a larger geographical area and age group.