February 13, 2024 - Over the weekend, the West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) embarked upon a strategy to enhance the chances of passing its core legislative priorities -- HB 4722 & HB 5522.  Together, these bills form the basis and financial incentives for the state's coal industry to build out the next generation of coal production and maintain in-state coal consumption.  

This week, we are concentrating our efforts on the House side where proposed legislation must be passed by the fiftieth day of the Legislative session or February 28th.  The idea is to build momentum and broad base support for these bills before they are advanced to the Senate where we have experienced opposition. 

We ask that all member companies weigh in on this issue by first communicating your support for these bills to your respective legislative delegation and by encouraging your employees to communicate their support through our “Friends of Coal” data base to key legislative leaders.

We circulated a letter to all members of the House of Delegates yesterday and made this a priority at yesterday’s Coal Caucus meeting where we had a majority of GOP Legislators present.

Recall, HB 4722 was previously passed by the House Technology and Infrastructure Committee and HB 5522 is before House Energy and Manufacturing today. 

We have several meetings and dinners planned this week to strategize with House members and should the House pass these measures, we plan to host a major press event with House leaders and the Legislative Coal Caucus along with radio ads and social media blasts thanking House members for their coal support! 

We are in the process of populating a message on our website and social media platforms in support of HB 4722 and HB 5522.  

Should our legislation pass the House, we will direct all targeted communications i.e., FOC letters, social media messaging and radio ads towards Senate Legislators.  Additionally, at that stage in the session we plan to unleash robo calls to Senate offices and geo fence the Capital for repeated messaging in support of the legislation. 

If you have any questions or need additional information, please phone 304-342-4153 or e-mail jgibeaut@wvcoal.com. 

Chris Hamilton,

President & CEO
WV Coal Association

200 Association Dr. Ste 160

Charleston WV 25311

304-342-4153

jgibeaut@wvcoal.com