Intercepted: W.Va. coal’s master plan
W.Va. Coal Association lobbyist Chris Hamilton
This just landed in Coal Tattoo’s e-mail inbox:
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 2:06 PM
Subject: Mountaintop Mining Coalition Membership
To:     Mountaintop Mining Coalition Membership Â
 From: Chris Hamilton [VP, W.Va. Coal Association]
Date: March 27, 2009
 Subject: Update on Various Action Items
 In response to the intense activity in Washington and other states concerning mountaintop mining, the coalition is moving forward on several fronts which are delineated below.
First and foremost the coalition is attempting to arrange an immediate meeting with the CEQ and EPA to discuss the actions of the federal agencies over the past several weeks. Second, a multi-state congressional briefing on MTM is set for May 5-7 in Washington, DC, and follow up mine visits in Kentucky, Virginia and West Va are scheduled for May 20-21.
Additionally, we are planning to meet with the DGA and NGA and SLC through the help of Gov. Manchin and other public officials.
The coalition is also making progress on development of the following items:
·        Mountaintop Mining Powerpoint (under review)
·        White Paper (under review)
·        Blog (under construction)
·        Brochure (under construction)
·        Website (www.mtmcoalition.com)
·        Video (being produced).
Please contact T. Headley at the below address for a copy of these materials.
Regarding MTM legislation in West Virginia. SB 375 has passed the State Senate and will be considered by the House of Delegates next week. SB 375 reinvigorates the Coalfield Economic Development Office with greater focus on planning for post-mine land use and development. The legislation also recognizes road construction  and residential developments as alternative land uses and provides for renewable energy forms. This is the Governor’s bill and he has expressed a willingness to speak in favor of MTM sites with this legislation finalized.
SB 461 extending the compliance schedule for Selenium passed the Senate today and will be advanced to the House for its consideration next week. Senate concurrent resolution ____ (a copy of which is attached) discusses the benefits of coal, including mountaintop mining and its importance to the state. The Senate President and Lieutenant Governor is the chief sponsor of the bill and is planning to host a ceremony in the Senate Chamber to coincide with the introduction of the bill. This event is scheduled for 11 am, on Thursday April 2, 1009.  All Coalition members are encouraged to attend.
Lastly, as you know are actively monitoring regulatory developments and pending legislation in other states. Â In this regard we are working with other Coalitions and utilities and have requested an opportunity to be present before the legislative bodies as these issues begin to move to discuss their implications and ramifications. We have enclosed the attached op-ed response to negative articles written by media outlets in North Carolina, New York, Washington, Georgia and Tennessee and have additionally requested meetings with their editorial board.
As these items unfold over the next couple of weeks, we will keep you abreast of their status. In the meantime, if you have any questions of need additional information, please reply to this message or call one of us at 304-342-4153.
T.L. “Doc” Headley
MBA, MA, BA, AAMS
Communications Director
West Virginia Coal Association
304.342.4153
Email: theadley@wvcoal.com
8 comments
Way to go WV Coal Association!!!
Lawbreakers are not excused, because they contribute to the economy, whether it be in mining practise, or otherwise. Underground mining CAN be profitable; and its been proven in the past
The willingness by the coal industry to spend millions on these types of campaigns and the misleading ads on the tv and radio indicate to me that they are making huge profits by destroying our mountains. Those of us that live below these sites are being terrorized by blasting and dust. There is no excuse for that. Yet, they spend millions to try to continue the campaign to destroy the land and the people.
Yes, Coal Associatino keep touting how you want to change a federal EPA guideline on selenium by passing a state law.
Bo - I know you are strong on MTR, but we need your help on the selenium issue at MudLick and defeating SB 461.
The coal companies there have caused our stream to be on the brink of an environmental disaster. Unfortunately, the Coal industry got the Senate to go along, please help us defeat this bill in the House and make the coal companies fix our streams. We’re hopeful people like Carrie Webster will stand up to them and help us.
Mr. Ward thinks it may actually give the EPA an excuse to put the hammer down, but our community can’t wait for them to fight it out, we just want them to stop dumping toxic selenium in our streams.
Kate, I think the state senate is taking that bill up Thursday April the 2nd. Is that bill related to MTR as well?
I understand what you are saying, but Mr. Ward might be right about this being the one thing EPA can jump on.
Still we residents that suffer the impacts of the mining just want them to stop it. I just don’t see where we have anything left to compromise. What would a sit down compromise look like? Kinder, gentler blasting that damages our homes over a longer duration, it would take longer for our homes to fall apart, for our nerves to shatter or maybe the agencies would allow just 1/2 the coal waste injected or discharged that would end up in our wells so that the heavy metals takes longer to destroy our health? Or maybe just fill in half of the valley fill in our watersheds so that we just get flooded half as much. It is very frustrating when agencies don’t understand or chose to ignore the impacts that come with living near mining.
What the mountaintop removers are doing to our land, our water, and our homes is a shame to say the least. And now they are trying to defr end themselves by saying what they are doing is good for the people. If they have to get the coal, go underground and get it the way they used to mine it before Bush gave them a free hand to destroy our homes. Guys you and I know it’s all about money. “Get the coal the cheapest way possible, with as few workers as possible”..
Appalachia can’t stand anymore of this progress and prosperity, clean up the mess you’ve made before starting to make another one ! http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=138
Dark and dusty has been painted on the hills of eastern Kanawha County by the dust from blasting, 7 riverloadouts and overwhelming coal truck traffic. I hope that MTM will be stopped in it’s tracks
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