May 25, 2016 - It's election time and candidates across the political spectrum are vying for the votes of the mining and energy industries.

The comments and promises of various candidates, as well as current market conditions and regulatory realities signal the vital role this election will play in determining the future of the American coal industry.

The ACC has been on the forefront of these issues, contending that energy producers must work together to fight back against the attacks on coal and other fossil fuels. Another part of the work that we must do, as an industry, is to ensure everyone we know and work with is registered to vote and aware of what each candidate intends to do, should he or she be elected.

Mine the VoteACC would like to encourage all of our member companies and other industry stakeholders to reach out to their employees and other partners with whom they work as the 2016 election cycle continues. We will provide election news and information from time to time for you to share. Today we are providing information about the National Mining Association's Mine the Vote program (www.minethevote.com). The Mine The Vote website gives information on the upcoming election and candidates. It also provides information on voter registration.

Each election you hear that "this is the most important election of our time." This time - with many of our member companies facing difficult financial conditions, layoffs, increased regulatory burdens, and challenging markets - that refrain is absolutely true.

If we are to preserve the role of coal in continuing to provide the nation with affordable, abundant, reliable, secure, and clean energy, we must make the coal industry's voice heard at the ballot box. The system works best when we all take part. 

For further information, please contact the American Coal Council office at 202-756-4540 or info@americancoalcouncil.org.