WV Mine Safety Rules Proposed

The West Virginia Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety is updating the body of administrative law governing underground, surface and surface areas of underground coal mining. The Board recently voted to propose the following sets of administrative rules for public comment.  

  • Title 36, Series 1 "Shaft and Slope Operation"
  • Title 36, Series 5 "Telephone Service or Communications Facility"
  • Title 36, Series 14 "Electrical Equipment in Mines; Required Examinations"
  • Title 36, Series 25 "Underground Equipment Requirements and Operation"
  • Title 36, Series 26 "Construction and Rehabilitation Operations in Underground Mines"
  • Title 48, Series 3 "Safety Training Programs for Perspective Surface Coal Miners"

The rules will be open for comment until January 31, 2021.  For more information, contact the Association office at 304-342-4153.

West Virginia In To 5 States for Electricity Exports

exports2019California was the largest net electricity importer of any state in 2019

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, State Electricity Profiles

Electricity routinely flows between the Lower 48 states and, to a lesser extent, between the United States and Canada and Mexico. Electricity generation exceeds electricity consumption in 25 states, and excess electricity is transmitted across state lines—almost 10% of U.S. electricity generation is traded among states. In 2019, California’s net electricity imports were the largest in the country at 70.8 million megawatthours (MWh), or 25% of the state’s total electricity supply. Pennsylvania’s electricity exports were the largest of any state in 2019, at 70.5 million MWh, or 24% of total supply.

California utilities partly own and import power from several power plants in Arizona and Utah. In addition, California’s electricity imports include hydroelectric power from the Pacific Northwest, largely across high-voltage transmission lines running from Oregon to the Los Angeles area.

Pennsylvania’s electricity generation was the third-largest in the nation, behind those of Texas and Florida. Natural gas-fired and nuclear power plants produced the majority of Pennsylvania’s in-state electricity in 2019, at 43% and 36%, respectively. Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation, after Illinois, in nuclear power generating capacity.

CONSOL Energy Inc. Aims To Design An Advanced Coal-Based Power Plant

CONSOL Energy Inc., whose underground coal mining complex in Pennsylvania is the largest in North America, is working to design a power plant and have it operating by 2027.

The innovative project would run on wet waste coal from CONSOL’s mining operation, capture its emissions and include the development of a deep underground carbon dioxide storage hub in southwestern Pennsylvania. Construction could begin by 2024.

“This is a phenomenal example of the innovation occurring in the mining industry,” said Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association.  “Using technology to maximize our resources, minimize waste and create sustainable, long-term benefit is the goal, and CONSOL is on the leading edge of that movement.” 

UK Company DST And WV’s Blue Rock Manufacturing To Bring New Manufacturing Facility, Up To 1,000 New Jobs

Governor Jim Justice recently announced that DST Innovations, a UK technology company headquartered in Wales, has chosen West Virginia as the home of its new American manufacturing base; agreeing on a contract with West Virginia-based company Blue Rock Manufacturing to establish a new facility for the development of its new energy cells.

The new facility will be the forefront of green technology, using existing organic material such as coal to create new clean energy storage solutions. The development is expected to create up to 1,000 new jobs in the manufacturing and technology sectors. The manufacturing base will be located in Morgantown, with a Phase 2 expansion planned for the Southern Coalfields region of the state.

Donate Today to FOC Ladies Auxiliary Christmas “Giving Hearts” Program

The Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary, established in 2007 to raise awareness about the benefits of coal and the individuals who mine it, is conducting their annual Christmas “Giving Hearts” program. 

As ambassadors of the coal industry, the Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary provides food, clothing, and toys to over 500 families.  Our state and country are experiencing unprecedented circumstances with the Covid-19 pandemic and widespread economic hardship.  The organization’s work in the community is essential and is a shining example of the good our industry does for our friends and neighbors in need. 

If you can make a donation to assist us in helping those in need, please contact Regina Fairchild at (304) 255-1457, extension 20.  All contributions are tax deductible. 

For more information, visit https://www.friendsofcoalladies.com/.