By Chris Hamilton 

February 9, 2023 - “The challenges facing America’s coal industry are well documented and undeniably more serious than ever before,” said Chris Hamilton, President, West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA). “Add the growing political strength of natural gas interests in West Virginia, who are pushing to deregulate the state’s electric power system and eventually replace coal-fired electric generation, the stakes become even more threatening to our industry.”

Chris Hamilton 

Hamilton recently announced a major 3-pronged effort to save West Virginia’s coal fleet and coal mining jobs.

“We plan to reenergize our resources and grass roots efforts to elevate our game and the overall effect of our business. Our plan is comprised of three (3) separate but interconnected Phases beginning with Phases One and Two, which can be done with few added costs and resources,” he said.

Phase One involves stimulating Coal’s Grassroots Campaign by inspiring coal’s core supporters to take appropriate actions and to speak out against unfavorable or anti-coal developments. Over the years, WVCA has administered Twitter and multi-state Facebook accounts, which reach hundreds of thousands of people across multiple states. The Association plans to stimulate these social media programs by asking its followers to respond by taking specific actions through these social media platforms, email data base and communications with its membership. 

“We must amplify our voice in a more targeted and action-oriented fashion,” explained Hamilton. “In the weeks to come, we are asking WVCA member companies, and other coal related organizations, to assist in this important endeavor by echoing our “calls to action” and to initiate similar programs internally within their company structure.”

It is vital that all of the industry's regional organizations participate through their elected officers and membership rolls. WVCA is reaching out to the state’s two major utilities to acquire their buy in and involvement as well.  

The impact of businesses, assets and economic inputs throughout the state connected to both steam coal and met coal must make their voices heard.  In this regard, WVCA is asking state mining companies, coal contractors and related ancillary businesses, comprising the broader coal economy, to immediately draft a letter to Legislative Representatives and the Congressional Delegation to refresh their memory of the impact that these companies have on the local area and state. This Phase is designed to summarize and emphasize coal’s collective impact on West Virginia. A draft letter for use can be found here.

WVCA has used the attached map of West Virginia showing the location of coal operations, coal contracting firms and coal-fired coal plants to demonstrate the coal community’s impact on state jobs and revenues. This map has been extremely well received and has evolved into the Association using the hashtag #50,000+ STRONG! WV Coal. Together with the illustration attached, the map has garnered a lot of attention.  The use of this information is encouraged in personal contacts with legislators, as well as community and civic groups.

Several of the coal industry's most influential adversaries have significant coal or coal plant assets within their districts. It is essential that they hear from companies in their districts and a letter including each company’s impact in terms of employees, taxes, contractors and vendors can serve effectively reduce their opposition to coal.  

Phase Two of this effort involves growing the Association so that its voice and overall effect can be expanded. WVCA currently represent producing companies accounting for 80% of the state’s production with only two of the major producers in the state who are not members of the Association. WVCA also includes approximately 100 companies as associate members (see list attached). 

“Please help us recruit new members to join or rejoin the West Virginia Coal Association,” appealed Hamilton. “Please scan the membership list to see if any vendors or contractors that provide services to your company are on it and make an effort to recommend any company not on the list to join.” Attached is a letter and membership application to forward to any prospective new member. These items are also on the Associations website at www.wvcoal.com .  

Phase Three of the communications plan involves paid media. WVCA currently administers a relatively modest PR budget, which primarily focuses on sponsoring statewide radio messaging on Metro News. The WVCA Board of Directors recently considered this item and tasked Association staff to develop ideas for discussion at a future meeting. Several professional groups have been contacted and are preparing formal proposals for the Board’s consideration. More information will be presented on this topic and a broader discussion will be announced in the near future.  

In addition to the communications program, WVCA intends to grow its Political Action Committee and efforts in this field.  Clearly, there needs to be greater participation and resources on the politics and public policy side of the coal business. No other industry is influenced more by government policies than coal and consequently, no other business carries as much uncertainty in the future than the coal industry. Political action has become more important than ever, and everyone connected with coal needs to step up and become more involved in this aspect of the business! Efforts are being made to enhance the WVCA PAC so it can play a more important part in election cycles and increase the participation in this critical area of the industry.

Coal mining and coal electric power generates $261 billion in total economic activity in the U.S. and supports 381,000 jobs. The WVCA is determined to maximize efforts to save West Virginia’s coal-fired electric power generation as well as to stimulate the met coal industry and is calling for all its members to play their part in this very major effort. Additional specific actions and requests for member companies are being drawn up. There will also be more alerts, email blasts, Facebook posts and traditional letters and communications to Friends of Coal. In the meantime, any ideas are encouraged to be submitted to improve the outreach and communications program or the political action activities. There is no time to be lost!