WHEELING, W.Va. -- As the coal industry continues to suffer in West Virginia, leaders in the industry are working to find some sort of solution.
On Tuesday, state and coal leaders met to talk about what's next and what can be done to help. They say many changes are resulting in unemployment, companies shutting down, and higher power rates for the public. “We have senior citizens and people on fixed income and yet we are getting ready to raise their electricity by 50 percent, and it just can't happen,” West Virginia Lt. Governor Bill Cole said.
The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
By CASEY JUNKINS
Staff Writer
WHEELING - Coal industry officials, academic researchers and community leaders will converge and collaborate this week regarding methods of curtailing the impact of President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan.
The West Virginia Coal Forum, an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry, will present "West Virginia Coal 2015 & Beyond." The event, which includes a free lunch and is open to the public, is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Oglebay Park's Wilson Lodge.
By BILL ARCHER Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — Speakers as well as persons attending the Coal Forum scheduled from 11 a.m., to 1 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center will have several coal industry related issues to discuss.
Senate President Bill Cole, R-Mercer, John Deskins, Ph.D., from the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research as well as members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation will provide their insights at the forum. In coal country, there is much to discuss.
Charleston, WV (August 3, 2015) – While the Obama Administration will formally adopt its Clean Power Plan today, West Virginia is already experiencing its impact via the decimation of coal and power generation industry employment, representatives with the West Virginia Coal Forum announced today.
Joel Watts, administrator for the West Virginia Coal Forum – a group representing both mine labor and management across the state – said, “This new rule, coupled with other recent emission-related regulations promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has forced the closure or planned closure of hundreds of power plants across the country. As coal-fired power plants close, the need for West Virginia coal to power them – and the thousands of miners who produce it – goes away.”
The West Virginia Coal Forum – an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry will host a forum to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the coal industry.
Media are encouraged to attend.
Entitled “West Virginia Coal – 2015 & Beyond”, this series of educational and informational events will bring attention to the impact of U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan, state and federal environmental regulations and strategies for confronting these critical issues head on.
Seating is limited and registration is required. There is no cost to attend the event.
Stakeholders in West Virginia’s mining economy – business leaders, association representatives, local legislators and policy leaders – are encouraged to attend.
For additional information, contact the West Virginia Coal Forum at (304) 957-2306.
Make plans to attend and reserve your seat. There is no fee to attend. Agenda and program information will be provided soon.