July 25, 2024 - The Pennsylvania House Republican Committee hosted a hearing today on the positive impacts of coal in an unusual venue.

According to the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, several members testified at today’s hearing at CONSOL Energy’s Pennsylvania Mining Complex in Greene County—1,100 feet underground.

This marks the State’s first underground hearing, according to the Coal Alliance.

The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance stressed the future importance of coal and that it gets a “bad rep.”

Last month, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development finalized an independent report on the coal industry’s impact on Pennsylvania’s economy. The report stated that the industry contributes to almost $1 billion in labor income in Pennsylvania.

Rachel Gleason, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance executive director, said the industry employs thousands of people around the State and is a necessary contributor to the country’s infrastructure and national security.

She highlighted coal’s role in providing power as “unmatched by any other fuel source in affordability, flexibility, reliability, resiliency, and security.” She added that coal is readily available onsite in an emergency, citing when coal-fired electric generation supported PJM’s grid during winter storm Elliot two years ago.

Additionally, Gleason said coal’s ability to produce steel is critical to national security and defense and that the only way to make new steel is by cooking coal mined in Western Pennsylvania. Coal is also used in fertilizer, water filtration, and other products that help drive up the economy.

Matt Mackowiak, CONSOL’s Manager of Government Affairs, said the global demand for coal hit record highs in 2023 at over 8 billion metric tons, and demand is set to rise over the next several years. CONSOL’s total revenues and other income in 2023 were 2.6 billion dollars.

He added that they mined 26 million tons of coal at their Pennsylvania mining complex alone, paid 20 million in taxes to the State, paid out $105 million in salaries and benefits to PA Employees, and currently employ over 2000 people. They are the number one employer in Greene County, contributing significantly to the economy.

The Coal industry’s immense economic influence in Pennsylvania and the United States is notable, but critics worry about its impact on the climate. Miners argue that coal is necessary when alternative energy sources are not working.

Watch the whole hearing here.