January 17, 2020 - “There are many fine professional groups and mining institutes serving the coal industry. Today, at the end of our second week of appeals, we are asking for help from America’s leading mining institutes to stand up and fight with us,“ said Bill Reid, Managing Editor, CoalZoom. “We are referring particularly to Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America, West Virginia Coal Mining Institute, KVMI, Tug Valley Mining Institute, Virginia Mining Institute, Kentucky Coal Mining Institute, Illinois Mining Institute, Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute. We are also including Friends of Coal, Kentucky Friends of Coal, Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary, and Friends of Coal West in this appeal.

Bill Reid

“Please join us and fight for our beloved coal industry and all the fine men and women in it before it disappears. As you all know, if what’s left of the US coal industry is to be saved, Obama’s EPA CO2 endangerment finding must be overturned quickly and we are appealing to you to help to fund our efforts to make it happen. Please help us raise $450,000 by January 31.”

In order to stop the complete destruction of coal, CoalZoom has teamed up with respected industry leader, Fred Palmer, and internationally renowned scientist, Dr. Craig Idso, in the campaign “Saving US Coal” with the single goal of overturning the CO2 endangerment finding.

We suggest that mining institutes proceed as follows:

1.    Appoint a coordinator in each institute to bring staff and members’ attention to the “Saving US Coal” campaign at CoalZoom.

2.    Hold a meeting to devise a plan.

3.    Encourage staff to take part and make a donation for coal.

4.    Include in newsletters and email the membership to ask for help.

5.    Consider making a contribution of 100% of each institute’s 2020 budget for donations for a one-time donation to “Saving US Coal”.

6.    Consider making an institute donation to match staff and membership donations.

The CoalZoom campaign was launched in November and already five videos have been produced. The legal filing is planned for February as donations come in. The progress with “Saving US Coal” and the videos can be seen here.

“Each mining institute has a simple choice to make,” said Reid. “Either sit and do nothing or stand and fight for our beloved coal industry that has helped make America great. We ask you to please stand up with us and join the fight by making a donation to “Saving US Coal” before January 31. A form can be found here for your use and it’s very easy to do. Please, please help now!

“Thank you!”