July 4, 2025 - Coal industry members are lauding a portion of the proposed budget reconciliation bill, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

One portion of the lengthy legislation looks to expand a tax credit to include “met” coal production and usage as a “critical mineral” used in advanced manufacturing.

This addition is receiving high praise from those with the West Virginia Coal Association.

“The inclusion of metallurgical coal as a critical mineral for advanced manufacturing within the President’s tax bill is a game changer for West Virginia and the tens of thousands of met miners and mine support jobs throughout our state.” Chris Hamilton, president of the association said. “We applaud Congress for including this provision in the bill and President Trump for his unwavering push for a rational, domestic energy policy that values coal.”

A release from the association says West Virginia met coal is relied upon for nearly 65% of coking coal used in domestic steel production in the United States.

“Without the met coal our miners produce right here in West Virginia our country would be forced to import this critical ingredient for making the steel that builds, defends, and supports America,” said Hamilton.

Recently the West Virginia coal industry has fell on hard times, with virtually every public coal company posting losses in the first quarter of this year. Roughly 700 miners are facing layoffs just this summer.

The plummeting price of met coal has been blamed for the losses by some companies.

According to economist Dr. John Deskins, West Virginia’s met coal benefits go far beyond the coal industry by helping to sustain over 500,000 steel related jobs across the U.S.

Time will tell what the impact of these credits will be if they remain in the final bill and if the bill is passed.

Other portions of the bill, including cuts to Medicaid, have caused concern in miners who have been recently laid off.

“My biggest worry is insurance, that’s the highest cost out there and it’s the hardest thing to get,” said Ricky Estes, a former Coal Mining Safety Representative.

President Trump signed a series of executive orders hoping to boost coal production this past August, the positive impact of that in West Virginia’s job market has yet to be felt.