Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Coal Forum and the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce will host a meeting to discuss the significance of the coal industry and coal exports to northcentral West Virginia, our state and the nation from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, WV. 

A variety of regional experts and policy leaders will speak at the event, to include: 

·  Congressman David McKinley, U.S. House of Representatives (Invited)

·  Richard Bajura, Director, National Research Center for Coal and Energy

·  Bill Raney, President, WV Coal Association

·  Jeff Herholdt, Director, WV Division of Energy

·  Chris Hamilton, Vice-President, WV Coal Association & Co-Chair, WV Coal Forum

·  Fred Tucker, UMWA, Co-Chair, WV Coal Forum

According to information released by the West Virginia Division of Commerce in February, West Virginia coal exports grew by 40 percent last year, increasing from $5.3 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2012.  West Virginia coal accounted for 49 percent of U.S. coal exports in 2012. The Coal Forum program will highlight our state’s leading role as an energy provider to the world, the benefits of the severance tax to northcentral West Virginia, and federal policies impacting the industry.

Seating is limited and reservations are required.  To make a reservation please email Joel Watts atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

There is no cost to attend the event. A buffet lunch will be served. 

Stakeholders in West Virginia’s mining economy – business leaders, association representatives, local legislators and policy leaders – are encouraged to attend.

The West Virginia Coal Forum is an organization representing both labor and management in the coal industry charged with working towards the betterment of the state’s coal industry.  For additional information, contact the West Virginia Coal Forum at (304) 957-2306, or visit the organization’s website at www.wvcoalforum.org.