COAL ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1

The PORTAL FEBRUARY 2013 Published by the West Virginia Coal Association and Friends of Coal

Newsletter to Highlight Coal Industry DATES TO REMEMBER  February 13 — WV Legislature The West Virginia Coal Association convenes 60-day session and the Friends of Coal have em-  March 6-8 — WV Coal Asso- barked on a new effort to create a ciation Mining Symposium strong, active and user-friendly net-  March 20-21 — WV Expo work for informational exchanges  Stay Tuned For Other Events and participation among the em- ployees, customers, vendors, family and friends of our members. WHO IS A The PORTAL will be your semi- of support at the federal level. Our FRIEND OF COAL? monthly resource for information on challenge is to keep that support West Virginia’s coal industry and strong, universal and rewarding. A “Friend of Coal” under- Friends of Coal activities. We en- stands the importance of coal courage you to share The Portal We must do everything possible to and the mining industry to make certain our state and federal leg- their lives, communities, state with your family, friends and and their nation. neighbors so they can learn more islators and leaders are making every about the benefits the coal industry effort to protect our peoples’ jobs, their Friends of Coal may … provides to West Virginia and the families and their way of life.  Be employed as a coal rest of the nation. miner or in the other jobs With your HELP we’ll get stronger, in with our coal companies; Friends of Coal long has enjoyed numbers and impact. We hope you find  Work for a business or support from many in state govern- information in The PORTAL useful and organization that supports ment. Today, that support is relevant, and we welcome your com- the industry; stronger than ever before and we ments and suggestions. Send feed-  Have family or friends who are working hard to grow that kind back to: [email protected]. work in the industry;  Recognize the critical fund- ing the industry provides through taxes that benefit When Did the ‘Friends of Coal’ Effort Begin? local communities, counties and the state; The “Friends of Coal” ginia, Ohio, Pennsyl- Friends of Coal has initiative was created 10 vania, North Carolina, grown to include a thriv-  See the benefits from con- tributions and support given years ago by people who Wyoming, Tennessee ing Ladies Auxiliary, to groups, churches and wanted to show their and others. sponsored events like projects in their communi- support and raise aware- the Friends of Coal ties; ness of the economic, Just recently, the Rocky Bowl, and other citizen  Realize coal provides philanthropic and social Mountain Coal Mining groups. America with a domestically benefits of the coal in- Institute agreed to ad- produced, low cost, reliable dustry to West Virginia vance Friends of Coal Everyone behind these source of energy to power and the . principles in their mem- efforts is working to de- all our lives; ber states. fend the jobs of our  Simply be proud of the rich Friends of Coal has working coal miners and heritage that coal has had grown to include nearly Today, you can see the their families with the in building America and 50,000 proud supporters blue and black Friends simple message: keeping her safe; or, across the country and of Coal “swoosh” logo  Know there is no substitute the world. FoC has state on vehicles from coast “Coal mining is vital to for coal in today’s world organizations in West to coast, from Alaska to West Virginia and to and we must mine it to Virginia, Kentucky, Vir- Florida. our nation.” maintain our lifestyles. Get the Friends of Mandatory Drug Testing Program Begins Coal License Plate The state of West Virginia has implemented manda- WV-OMHST DIRECTOR tory drug testing for all coal mining operations and mine contractors beginning Jan. 1, 2013. Gov. has All miners and contractor employees assigned to appointed Eugene White as safety sensitive work will be subjected to pre- Director of the WV Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Are you a Friend of Coal? employment, random and post-accident tests for unlawful or performance-inhibiting drugs. This pro- Training. White has been with Visit www.friendsofcoal.org and gram also includes prescription drugs taken inappro- OMHST since 2001, most re- download the application or contact priately or without a valid prescription. Miners who cently as Deputy Director un- Sandi at the WV Coal Association test positive risk losing their miners’ certificate. der C.A. Phillips, who retired in by calling (304) 342-4153, or via late 2012. email at [email protected], for more information on how to apply. The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training is in the process of finalizing the admin- The Friends of Coal congratu- istrative rules and protocols for the program. All mine lates Mr. White and looks for- operators and mine contractors are required to have ward to working with him as Connect Online with drug testing programs, and all employees in “safety the new OMHST director. Friends of Coal sensitive positions” are required to have either a state-issued miners certificate or the newly available “safety sensitive” certifica- You can find out what’s happening tion card. The new “safety sensitive” certification cards became available Jan. in the industry and join in the con- 22, 2013. For more information, contact your employer or the W.Va. Office of versation. “Friend us” on Facebook, Miners' Health, Safety and Training at (304) 558-1425. “follow us” on Twitter and view great pictures on Flickr. Tomblin, State Officers Sworn In Jan. 14 Visit the following links to tune in, turn on and chime in: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and West Virginia’s other constitutionally elected offi- cers were sworn in during an inauguration ceremony Jan. 14 on the front steps Facebook of the Capitol. Officers include Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, Attorney www.facebook.com/friendsofcoal General Patrick Morrisey, Supreme Court Justices Robin Jean Davis and Allen Loughry, Treasure John Perdue and Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick. Website: www.friendsofcoal.org During his inaugural address, Gov. Tomblin recognized outgoing U.S. Sen. , D-WVa., who announced his retirement at the end of his term in Twitter https://twitter.com/ 2014 after more than 50 years of public service. FriendsofCoalWV The Friends of Coal offers hearty congratulations to all our state and federal Flickr elected officials and looks forward to working with them in 2013. We also thank http://www.flickr.com/photos/ Sen. Rockefeller for his decades of dedicated service to West Virginians. friendsofcoal State Leaders Speak Out to Support Mining DID YOU KNOW... The PORTAL Will Bring You Quotations to Showcase Our Friends in High Places  Coal was discovered in 1742 by John Sen. Rep. Peter Salley in what is now Boone County, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin W.Va. “As I’ve “Coal means “West  West Virginia has 117 named coal always community Virginia is seams; 65 seams are considered minable.  In 2011, coal was produced from 55 said, you to the Moun- blessed to different WV coal seams. can live tain State, have a  Coal is present in 53 of West Virginia's 55 with coal or and I am strong, counties. Only Jefferson and Hardy Coun- you can live happy to diverse ties have no coal.  Annually, 30 West Virginia counties pro- without coal – but you can deliver this bucket [of coal] energy sector ... and I will duce coal. live a whole lot better with it to the President to remind continue to protect and in-  McDowell County has produced more than without it.” him that we will keep fighting crease the production of coal than any other county in West Virginia. to keep coal in the mix.” coal in West Virginia.” --11/28/2012 --12/21/2012 --01/14/2013 Manchin press release Capito press release Tomblin Inaugural Address