Press Release from The West Virginia Coal Association:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Coal Association is cheering President-Elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 General Election.
“This election outcome is more than West Virginia’s coal industry could have hoped for,” said Coal Association President Bill Raney. “Not only will Congress stay in the leadership hands of those who understand coal’s importance to the American economy, but we finally will have a chief executive who hears us and cares about us in West Virginia.”
While coal production in West Virginia likely will not return to the record productions levels prior to the 2008, Raney said the industry outlook shows signs of improving.
“We’ve seen some modest increases in coal pricing, but the thought of seeing the completely ill-advised and unwarranted regulatory attacks from Washington go away gives us every reason to be hopeful about West Virginia’s coal industry,” Raney said. “We have a lot of miners and workers in supporting businesses who are out of work right now. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration and the 115th Congress to get our folks back to work.”
Raney says West Virginia coal production provides vital raw materials for America’s manufacturing base and electric grid security. Coal-fired power is the most affordable and reliable baseload material available, he said.
“Worldwide coal demand is projected to grow for at least the next few decades,” Raney said. “We look forward to working with Governor-elect Jim Justice and his new administration to capitalize on this opportunity for growth with a renewed focus on coal and energy issues in West Virginia.”
The West Virginia Coal Association represents more than 90 percent of the state’s underground and surface coal mine production. Its purpose is to have a unified voice representing the state’s coal industry as well as increase emphasis on coal as a reliable energy source to help the nation achieve energy independence. Visit www.wvcoal.com for more information.
