natural resources fall 2010

2 • October, 2010 • Natural Resources Natural Resources • October, 2010 • 59


6 Coal miners rally against Obama administration

10 Rand Paul speaks at coal appreciation day

12 ICG Letter to News-Express Editor

14 Buses depart Pikeville for Washington coal rally

17 Wright Concrete receives Excellence Entrepreneurship Award

20 Paul tours plant to tout coal

24 Rep. Keith Hall stands up for miners at “Bring Them Home Safe!” event

32 Mine rescue competition

34 Mine Safety agency has new rule after W. Va. blast

36 2010 Commissioner’s award of excellence

40 Energy and Environment Cabinet prepares for Annual Governor’s Conference

42 Old-Style coal plants expanding

45 Mingo renewable energy projects receive funding

46 U. S. mining official to tour Mingo post-mine land uses

49 Arch Coal 2Q profit surges on global sales

50 Mining environmental engineers:Bearse bets on future in coal

52 DEP names panel to help guide W. Va. gas drilling

54 Mining activists demand WVU, Nike pull uniform ad

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By Frederic J. FrommerAssociated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundredsof coal miners rallied on CapitolHill Wednesday against the Obamaadministration’s attempts to rein inmountaintop removal mining,accusing the EnvironmentalProtection Agency of trying to wipeout the coal industry.“This administration is trying toshut down coal and fire all of you,”claimed Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky.,adding that the EPA was practicing“strangulation by regulation.”

The industry-backed group Facesof Coal said it paid for most of thetravel and lodging expenses for thecoal miners, who came from WestVirginia, Virginia, Kentucky,Pennsylvania and Ohio. Speakersincluded politicians from both par-ties and country music singer Stella

Parton.Later, country music performer

Big Kenny told a smaller, rivalrally of opponents of mountaintopremoval that the coal industry doesnot speak for all of Appalachia.

In mountaintop removal mining,forests are clear-cut, explosivesblast apart the rock, and machinesscoop out the exposed coal. Theearth left behind is dumped intovalleys, covering intermittentstreams. Coal operators say it’s themost efficient way to reach somereserves, and that it supports tens ofthousands of jobs and provides coalfor electricity. Opponents say it pol-lutes water, defaces majesticscenery and obliterates the quietcountry environment.

The coal industry has filed a law-suit against the EPA’s new policywhich tightened water quality stan-dards for valley fills at surface coal

mines in West Virginia, Kentucky,Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia andTennessee. EPA Administrator LisaJackson has said the goal is a stan-dard so strict that few, if any, per-mits would be issued for valleyfills.Ralliers wore blue Faces of Coal T-shirts, and some sported hard hats.They hoisted signs that said, “CoalKeeps the Lights on,” and “CoalMiners ‘Dig’ Their Jobs.”

When an opening prayer wasgiven, it included thanks to God fornatural resources such as coal.“They’re trying to take our jobs,”yelled Haven King, a 65-year-oldretired coal miner from Hazard, Ky.“We have to stand up.”West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, aDemocrat, said that the EPA isblocking jobs.“West Virginia will fight back andevery coal state must fight back,”

he said.The state’s senior senator,

Democrat Jay Rockefeller, said thatthe EPA’s Jackson “doesn’t under-stand the sensitivities economicallyof what unemployment means. Herjob is relatively simple: cleaneverything up, keep it clean, don’tdo anything to disturb perfection.Well, you can’t do coal and do thatat the same time. God didn’t makecoal to be an easy thing to workwith.”

EPA spokesman Brendan Gilfillanresponded: “This administrator has

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Above: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Senate Minority Leader MitchMcConnell of Ky., addresses min-

ing supporters from theAppalachian states during a rally

Wednesday, Sept. 15 near theCapitol in Washington.

event will focus on what it con-siders unfair regulations and theneed for jobs.

WVU senior Joe Gorman saidNike and the school shouldhonor underground miners“without glorifying the moun-taintop removal that’s destroy-ing West Virginia’s heritage andthe mountains that make us theMountaineers.”

“The ad says, ‘It’s just the waythings are done in WestVirginia,’” Gorman said, “butminers and residents of thesouthern coalfields have beenfighting strip mining and moun-taintop removal since before Iwas born, and that’s somethingto be proud of, too.”———Online:Nike ad: http://bit.ly/9XIUv9Appalachia Rising:www.appalachiarising.orgFaces of Coal: http://www.face-sofcoal.org/index.php

Continued from Page 54


been clear in rejecting the falsesuggestion that any of the stepsEPA is taking actually threatento weaken the economy orincrease unemployment.”

Next January, the EPA plans tostart regulating greenhouse gasemissions that are blamed forglobal warming, another causeof alarm for the coal miners.Rockefeller has sponsored legis-lation to suspend that for twoyears.Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., urgedsupport for Rockefeller’s meas-ure.

“We are not going to let theEPA regulate coal out of busi-ness,” he said.Although the rally was billed asbipartisan and a number ofDemocrats spoke, there weresome partisan comments, espe-cially from Senate MinorityLeader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.He said that this administrationand current Congress are themost anti-coal in history.“Send them a message onNovember 2,” he yelled tocheers.

The rival rally was organizedby the Natural ResourcesDefense Council’s Music SavesMountains campaign, which fea-

tures singers and musicians whosupport the group’s anti-moun-taintop mining effort. Onlythree-dozen or so people showed

up, but this isn’t the main event:opponents expect thousands toattend their Appalachia Risingrally in D.C. on Sept. 27.

People here sported signs like,“Topless Mountains areObscene” and “Save a Mountain,Build a Windmill.”

AP Photo/J. Scott ApplewhiteFrom left, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., attend a rallywith coal mining supporters from the Appalachian states near the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 15.

By Vicki SmithAssociated Press Writer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP)— Activists trying to stop moun-taintop removal coal mining inAppalachia are furious over aNike Inc. promotional ad for anew West Virginia football uni-form designed in tribute to the 29victims of the Upper Big Branchmine explosion.

The problem is not the color ofthe gear — off-white that appearscoated in coal dust — or the num-ber 29 on the coal-black helmets.It’s the depiction of a mountaintopremoval mine behind the image ofa player, complete with flat, tree-less mountaintop, the sound of anexplosion and the image of fallingrock.

The ad appears to be a tacitendorsement of the controversialform of strip mining, activistsargued Thursday, and it should beyanked immediately.

WVU football is a uniting forcefor a small state that lacks a pro-fessional team, and DannyChiotos of Charleston, youthorganizer for the StudentEnvironmental Action Coalition,said for the Mountaineers toseemingly take a side with this adis upsetting people.

“I’m largely amused by it andkind of bewildered by it,” Chiotossaid. “They should come up witha better ad that actually promotesWVU football and the memory ofthe miners and mine safety.”

By depicting a surface mine thatalso resembles the open pit minesof western states like Wyoming,the ad also misses a key pointabout Upper Big Branch: TheMassey Energy Co. mine thatexploded April 5 was an under-ground operation.

The West Virginia athleticdepartment issued a brief state-ment Thursday, saying the intentwas to honor coal miners and theirheritage. The graphics weredesigned by Nike and reviewed byWVU officials.

“The intent was for the player onthe field to be surrounded by coaland not as an endorsement of anyone form of mining technology,”the statement said. “We are in dis-

cussions with Nike about thegraphic.”

Oregon-based Nike did notimmediately respond to telephoneand e-mail messages.The ad plunges both the schooland the world’s largest athleticshoe and clothing maker into oneof West Virginia’s most emotion-ally charged and political divisiveissues.

Mountaintop removal was thesole issue of a candidate who ranin last week’s special primary tofill the seat of late U.S. Sen.Robert C. Byrd, and both industryand environmentalists are lobby-ing the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency over the prac-tice.

The coal-themed Pro Combatgear will be worn for one gameonly this season, the Nov. 26Backyard Brawl at Pittsburgh.Naoma activist Bo Webb demand-

ed the immediate removal of thead and apologies to the people inthe southern coalfields who havebeen hurt by mountaintop mining.

“I am so angry. I love football,and I will not watch WVU again,”said Webb, who was inWashington, D.C., with otheractivists on Monday, urgingPresident Barack Obama’s admin-istration to outlaw mountaintopremoval. It was a prelude to amuch larger “Appalachia Rising”rally planned for Sept. 27.

“I hope the players understandthat they’re being used and riseup. I’d like them to say, ‘I’m notbeing pimped out by Nike and thestate of West Virginia and the coalindustry,” he said, “and I wouldlike to see WVU admit, ‘Wemade a huge mistake.’”Webb said it’s possible the ad wasdesigned by an artist who didn’trealize the implications of using

strip mine imagery, but he’s skep-tical of Oregon-based Nike.

“Maybe they’re naive, but Idoubt it,” he said. “I seriouslydoubt it.”

Mountaintop removal is donemainly in West Virginia, Virginia,Kentucky and Tennessee. Forestsare clear-cut, explosives blastapart the ridgetops, and massivemachines scoop the exposed coalfrom multiple seams. The debrisleft behind is dumped into valleys,covering streams with what arecalled valley fills.

Coal operators say it’s the mostefficient way to reach somereserves, but people who live nearthe mines say it’s too destructive,ruining their home values, theirenvironment and their health.

The industry, too, is planning arally in Washington. Its Sept. 15

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AP Photo/Nike, HOIn this image released by Nike on Tuesday, shows a Nike promotional ad showing the West Virginia University

college football uniform. Mountaintop removal mining activists are demanding Nike pull its promotional ad fora new West Virginia football uniform because it features a strip mine. The gear was designed in tribute to 29

men killed in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion. But activists,including Bob Webb, point out the mine wasan underground operation. They say the ad suggests WVU and Nike endorse the controversial form of strip

mining, and Webb wants apologies to the people harmed by such mines.

Continued on Page 55



MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP)— Six gas company representa-tives were named Thursday to anew nine-member task forcethat will help the Department ofEnvironmental Protection deter-mine how to better regulateWest Virginia's booming indus-try.DEP Secretary Randy Huffman,who provided the names to TheAssociated Press, also appointeda lobbyist for the West VirginiaEnvironmental Council, a coalindustry lawyer and an advocatefor landowners' rights.The DEP is reviewing oil andgas operations amid the growingrush to tap the natural gas sup-ply in the Marcellus shale field

that underlies West Virginia,Pennsylvania, Ohio and NewYork.Huffman is considering a two-tiered regulatory system — onefor conventional wells and onefor the kind of deep, horizontal-ly drilled wells that are requiredto reach the Marcellus reserves.The task force will try to findconsensus on some issues asDEP staff write the necessaryrules, regulations and legisla-tion.Huffman has said the number ofgas wells being permitted inWest Virginia is growing fasterthan his inspectors' ability tokeep pace. How to hire and paythe salaries of more inspectorsis among the issues to beworked out.The industry representatives on

the task force are:• Mike Brownell, director ofregulatory affairs for Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy Corp.and former chief of the waterresources management divisionat the Susquehanna River BasinCommission;• Joe Dawley, an attorney withEQT Corp. of Pittsburgh andformer general counsel to theWest Virginia DEP;• James Grey, president ofTriana Services Co. ofCharleston;• Denny Harton, former chiefexecutive of GasSearch Corp. ofParkersburg and a former presi-dent of the Independent Oil &Gas Association;• Ted Streit, vice president ofoperations for GaddyEngineering Co. of Charleston

and chairman of the WestVirginia Land & MineralOwners Association oil and gascommittee;• and Don Supcoe, secretaryand general counsel forColorado-based EnergyCorporation of America.Rounding out the committee areDave McMahon of the WestVirginia Surface Owners' RightsOrganization; Nick Preservati,an attorney with the WestVirginia Coal Association; andDon Garvin, legislative coordi-nator for the West VirginiaEnvironmental Council. Thecouncil represents more than 50groups around the state.Huffman hopes to brief Gov. JoeManchin on his plans inNovember, then offer proposalsto legislators in January.

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By Kendall Atkins LivickStaff Writer

Republican Senate nomineeRand Paul was among the mixof speakers at the second CoalAppreciation Day, held Saturday,Aug. 14 at the Knott CountySportsplex. Built on a formermountaintop removal site withcoal severance tax money, thiswas a highly appropriate loca-tion for the event.

As part of hiscampaign trail,Paul made the stopto Knott Countyon this day toshow thousands ofEasternKentuckians thathe understandstheir concerns ascitizens of a local-ity, in which theeconomy is fueledby coal.

“I’m of the opin-ion that coal is anincredibly important part ofKentucky, past, present andfuture,” he said.

Paul said that it is not only theminers, whose jobs are affectedby the coal industry.

“A lot of people try to down-play it and say, ‘oh it’s not thatmany jobs,’” he said. “But it’snot just the jobs out here.”

Paul said what many peopledon’t realize is just how manybusiness are interrelated with thecoal industry.“If you work in the Pizza Huthere, the coal miners come inthere and buy pizza,” he said.“We need to be, I think, proud ofthe coal industry.”

He said that there are also twoaluminum plants in Hendersonthat have chosen the area astheir location because of cheap

electricity, andif we get capand trade andtheir electricityprices go up,they will beforced to shutdown, resultingin the loss ofmore jobs.

Paul said heshares a lot ofcommon groundwith the peopleof EasternKentucky.

“I think peoplein the country side are independ-ent spirits,” he said. “They mayown a gun. I own a gun. Theymay not want to be told what todo all the time. I don’t likebeing told what to do all thetime, and they don’t think thatsomeone somewhere else thatthinks they’re smarter than them,

should tell them what to do.”That someone who thinks

they’re smarter he was referringto is President Obama.

“I think that’s the way I per-ceive our President,” Paul said.“He probably means well, but hethinks he knows better thanthose people living here, what todo. Part of our philosophies asRepublicans is, that we believeyou know what’s best for you,and you know what’s best foryour family.”

Paul made a point of statingthat his philosophy is not to saythat society should just runamuck, but rather that peopleshould be entitled to their owndecision making.

“There are certain rules,” hesaid. “You can’t harm peoplephysically, and you can’t do cer-tain things, but pretty much, wewant you to be left alone tomake decisions for you and yourfamily — where you go tochurch, where you work — andso, we’re more for keeping thegovernment out of your way.”

This is the kind of philosophythat has earned Paul criticism inthe past, regarding his take onmining regulations. He saidsome of the statements in themedia have portrayed a mischar-acterization of his position.

“All the headlines say, ‘RandPaul doesn’t believe in regula-tions.’ Well that’s just not true,”Paul said. “There are certain reg-ulations out there, and they do

help us. Obviously everybodywants the walls and the roofsupported in mines.”

He said the only issue he has iswhen authorities shut down amine because of a broken light,or something similar that is notdirectly related to safety precau-tion.

“Sure you should still fix thebroken tail light, so I’m notevent against that, but I’m justsaying let’s not just shut downcoal mines because you haveinfractions that don’t involvesafety,” he said.

Aside from wanting to set therecord straight, Paul said hecame to coal appreciation day,not only to show similaritiesbetween himself and the peopleof Eastern Kentucky as part ofhis campaign, but also becausehe simply likes the area and thefriendly people in it.

“I think they appreciate andrespect the fact that someonecares about this part of the stateand is willing to come out here,”he said. “Some of the bestfriends I’ve made in the cam-paign are like from Harlan andMiddlesborough and Hazard,and all over.”

Paul said he has been to thearea a lot recently and plans onmaking more trips.

Besides the speakers, CoalAppreciation day included freefood and festivities such asgames and a performance fromStella Parton.

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Paul speaking at a coal appreciation event in Knott County said thatObama “cares nothing about Kentucky and cares even less aboutKentucky coal.” The Kentucky candidate is strongly against a federallyenforced cap and trade scheme, which he has noted would punish thecoal industry and cause electricity prices to rise. AP Photo.

“We have a presidentwho is forcing the EPAdown our throats. Evenwithout changing therules, the EPA is stiflingthe permit process, andpeople (are) out of workhere because of the presi-dent and his policies.”

~ Rand Paul

News-Express photos by Jerry BoggsLocal legislators including state Representatives Leslie Combs(above)and state Senator Ray Jones took to the state at the Rally for Coal heldSaturday at the Knott County Sportsplex to express their support for thecoal industry and decry legislation they view as an attack on coal min-ing.

Bearse’s college friend, ZachGibson, who is in his samemajor and has known him sinceFreshman year, agreed thatBearse stands out in a way thatfew do.

“He’s got his mind set on whathe wants to do. Since I met himfreshman year, he’s known whathe wants to do and he still holdstrue to that,” Gibson said.

He said, part of the reasonBearse is ahead of the game, isthat his first internship was avery positive experience, and heknew immediately this was thejob for him.

“A lot of students are in thehere and now,” Gibson said.“Even with interning, every stu-dent just interns to find out whatthey want to do. I think hegained that before a lot of stu-dents do.”

Gibson said, Bearse’s workethic in school and plenty ofinternship experience, havegiven him an insight into theindustry, and he never hesitatesto take charge of leadershiproles during group projects.

“He can be laid back, but atthe same time, he’s very ambi-

tious to where he wants to getthings done and wants to getthings accomplished,” he said.”He has a good foundation forwhat he wants to do in life.” —which is to obtain a position inmanagement.

“He’s got the work ethic to oneday be president of a miningcomplex,” Gibson said.

Friends of Bearse said thiswork ethic most likely haseverything to do with hisupbringing.Gibson said he thinks hisfriend’s ambition and drivecome from his dad.

Gullett agreed, saying, “I thinkhe’s picked up a lot of Charlie’sgood skills. I think that’s reallymade Chas what he is today. Ithink it speaks highly of his dadthe way Chas has turned out.”

His dad said while he neverforced the industry on Chas, heis glad they have yet anothercommon interest to share.“I have never pushed him to goin a specific direction, but ratherencouraged his interests,” hesaid. “We gave him the opportu-nity to choose any career. Hechose mining because he likes

it, and he can make a career ofit right here at home. My pridein him stems from who he is,not the direction he's chosen;but it's great having him in thebusiness, because it's anotherthing we can do together.”Both father and son are excitedabout the idea of working forthe same company. Chas said hehas a great time thinking aboutwhere this career could takehim.

“Every day that goes by, itseems like I get more and morepassionate,” he said.

His dad is happy and proudthat his son earned this opportu-nity in the first place.

“Chas and I are lucky to beworking for a company thatunderstands the value of devel-oping talent. I started withMassey in 1983, doing the samethings he's doing now,” he said.“Today we have about 25 engi-neering intern students inMassey. These are great oppor-tunities for our young men andwomen, right here at home, inan industry with great impor-tance to our country.”

Bearse said he is concentrating

on building a skillset now inschool, that will benefit himlong-term in his career. Thoughhe said he wants to prepare him-self to hit the ground runningwhen he graduates, those whoknow him think he’s already hitthe ground running — so hard,in fact, that he ended up under-ground — and that’s exactlywhere he wants to be.

According to the University ofKentucky website, students inthe mining engineering programwho choose to co-p with miningcompanies, will have theirchoices of many training oppor-tunities, which include on-the-job training and a steadyincome. A student in this type ofprogram will usually graduate ina minimum of five years, alter-nating school with periods ofworking in the industry, duringspring, summer and fall academ-ic semesters. For more informa-tion about University ofKentucky’s mining engineeringprogram, visithttp://www.engr.uky.edu/mng/.


By Kendall AtkinsStaff Writer

While most college students arefloating along, changing majorsand not having a clue what theywant to do for the rest of theirlives, Charles L. Bearse IV ofUniversity of Kentucky, is righton the ball. Charles, whose friendsand family refer to him as “Chas,”is well on his way to a successfulmine engineering career.

Son of Charles L. Bearse III andKaren Bearse, and sister of AnneBearse, Chas said he wants tolearn as much as possible abouthis future industry while in col-lege, so that he can hit the groundrunning when he gets out. Healready has a great start. As anintern at Massey Energy —through which he has a scholar-ship toward his education, contin-gent on the plan that he will workfor the company when he gradu-ates — he already has a future jobwaiting on him.

How can he be so certain thatthis is what he wants to do? Itsjust something he said is in hisblood.“I’m I guess kind oflike a third genera-tion engineer,”Bearse said.

His grandfatherstudied Engineeringat BrownUniversity, and hisfather did the sameat Michigan Tech,where he concen-trated specifically inmining. He is nowthe President ofSidney Coal Company, which ispart of Massey. The fourth Bearseman said he wants to follow in hisfather’s footsteps, and of this, hehas been sure for a while now. Hestarted developing those engineer-ing skills at an early age.

“Chas has always liked mechani-cal things and wheels,” his fatherCharles said. “In high school heraced motocross. The first year, aswe worked on the bike each week,I showed him how to maintain it.After that, he did it all himself.”

But it wasn’t until high school,that Bearse knew exactly what hewanted to do with these skills —the same thing his father before

him had done.“I’d never really put any thought

into it until my senior year of highschool,” he said. “I knew as soonas I set foot underground, thatthat’s what I wanted to do.”

“Chas started working under-ground a few days after he turned18,” his father said. “He spent thatsummer on the working end of ashovel, which for him was likegetting paid to go to the gym.”

Charles said his son was a certi-fied miner before his Freshmanyear of college. That next sum-mer, he was eager to get backunderground, but his dad wantedto make sure he understood thatthis industry was hard work.Bearse said he understands thelevel of work involved, but forhim, it is well worth it.

“It’s hard work, that you canactually physically see whatyou’re doing every day. It’s some-thing to be proud of,” he said.And as for the recent criticism

and attacks on mining? Bearsesaid never once has he heard any-thing about mining that made himquestion his decision to go into

this industry.“There’s no way

I’ve been discour-aged,” he said. “Ifanything, it’sencouraged me tostudy as much as Ican while I’m hereand not take it forgranted.”

He said he reallybelieves in what thisindustry stands forand really feels thatthe work of mining

improves life for everyone in thisarea.

He noted that the state ofKentucky has the 4th lowest costof electricity, saying, “It definitelyhas it’s benefits for the state ofKentucky. It’s proven that there’s250 years worth of reserves left.We’re doing our job to mine coalsafe and to do it productively.”

Bearse said he will not let naysayers affect his attitude towardthe job that he loves, noting thatsome people just don’t take thetime to think about it.

“The majority of people don’tthink about where their electricitycomes from,” he said. “They don’t

think about the men who workunderground every day and puttheir hard work into it so that wecan get that coal.”

He said one of his favoriteaspects of the industry, is the bondof comradery that the men formwith one another.

“You think about the amount oftime that they spend with eachother,” he said. “There’s nobodyelse under there. It’s just them. Itreally is like a family. You watchout for one another.”

He said there is also a sharedsense of pride in the work thatthey do on a daily basis.

“You can ask just about any coalminer out there if they’re proud ofwhat they’re doing, and they’lltell you they’re absolutely proudof what they do,” he said. “It’s notjust a job. It’s a profession.”

That pride and ambition was evi-dent to Bearse’s internshipemployers at Massey.

“The past two summers, any-thing I’ve asked him to do, he’staken seriousy,” said Troy Gullett,surface mine engineer of LoganCounty. “He’s not afraid of workby any means. He’s a real goodcommunicator. He’ll make a greatmanager in the coal companysomeday.”

Gullett said he, himself recentlygraduated from college, and hebelieves Bearse has qualities ofmaturity and wisdom beyond hisyears that are rare to find. He saidit is unusual to see a college stu-dent who is so driven and set onwhat he wants to do with the restof his life.

“I graduated in 2008, and I’ll saythat Chas is one of few,” he said.

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Charles ‘Chas’ Bearse is a mining engineering student at the Universityof Kentucky.

“You can ask just aboutany coal miner outthere if they’re proud ofwhat they’re doing, andthey’ll tell you they’reabsolutely proud ofwhat they do,” he said.“It’s not just a job. It’sa profession.

–– Chas Bearse


By Jim SuhrAP Business Writer

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Arch CoalInc. said Friday it reversed loss-es from a year ago during thesecond quarter, handily beatingWall Street’s expectations on thestrength of global markets and anearly 40 percent jump in sales.

The St. Louis miner, one of theworld’s biggest coal producers,said it expected an even strongershowing for the remainder of theyear, and raised the lower end ofits adjusted annual earningsguidance by a dime, excludingnon-cash charges.

“Coal markets have improvedconsiderably since this time lastyear but remain well below thelevels of the bull market of2008,” said Steven Leer, Arch’schairman and chief executive.

Leer said global markets forhigher-margin metallurgical coal— the kind used in making steel— remain tight while conditionsfor thermal coal that fuels powerplants “have strengthened mean-ingfully,” with those utilities —notably those served by Arch’swestern U.S. operations —drawing down their stockpiles.

Arch fuels about 8 percent ofall U.S. electrical generation.

“Looking ahead, we expect tocontinue managing through anyongoing operational challengesand deliver even stronger resultsin the year’s second half,” Leersaid.

Leer said during a conferencecall that Arch is upbeat aboutcoal’s prospects at least in thenear term, citing favorableweather patterns — chiefly lin-gering summer heat that coulddrive up use of air conditioners— and an improving U.S. econ-omy and growth of the globalappetite for coal.

“We have positioned Arch tocapitalize well on such trends,”Leer said.

Arch said it now expectsadjusted earnings for the year of$1.10 — up from its $1 forecastin April — to $1.40 per share,excluding non-cash charges. InJanuary, the company said itexpected 50 cents to $1 pershare.

Arch shares rose $1.24, or 5.5percent, to $23.74 in afternoontrading.

Arch posted net income of$66.2 million, or 41 cents per

share, during the April-through-June period. A year ago, Archlost $15.1 million, or 11 centsper share, on the weight of a 20percent drop in sales, productioncutbacks and weak prices forcompeting natural gas.Revenue rose to $764.3 millionversus $554.6 million a yearago.

Analysts polled by ThomsonReuters expected, on average, 25cents per share on revenue of$765.4 million.

Arch said the average salesprice of coal per ton was 6 per-cent higher than a year ago,though operating costs inched up2 percent per ton. Arch said itaveraged $18.86 for each of the38.1 million tons of coal it soldin the second quarter, better pro-duction than the 27.4 millionlast year when black ore fetched$19.43 a ton.

Arch left its production outlookfor the year unchanged, stillexpecting 147 million to 155million tons, excluding coalbought from third parties.

Over the first half of this year,Arch said it has earned $64.5million, or 40 cents per share, on$1.48 billion in revenue, upfrom $15.4 million, or 11 centsper share, on $1.24 billion insales during the same time ayear ago.

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Arch Coal Mountain Laurel mining operation

Dear Editor:

A number of career politicians in the coal states find themselves in tight races for the right to continue serving theirconstituents in Congress after November 2nd this year. Their support of cap-and-trade and the EPA’s de facto moratoriumon coal mining permits in Appalachia have all been subject to close scrutiny. Candidates whose past actions underminetheir protestations that they are “friends of coal” and support coal industry jobs are being called upon to explain them-selves clearly.

These politicians and the national media are focused on the discontent of the electorate, and upon election-year politics.Many of these politicians in the tight coal-state races appear mystified that their seemingly secure positions are undersiege. Perhaps the fact that they are confounded is a sign that they are tone-deaf to the crystal-clear message of their con-stituents.

The discontented voter sentiment in the coal states should be quite understandable to our elected officials. You see, con-gressmen in tight races, like Reps. Chandler, Rahall and Boucher, fear for their jobs. Thousands of us in the mining indus-try fear for our jobs under the Obama-Reid-Pelosi triumvirate. Those who fear for their livelihood will become quite vocaland active in self-defense, which can place politicians who don’t fight for their constituents’ jobs in serious jeopardy.

Perhaps the bigger source of discontent, however, is the disingenuous and sometimes outright deceptive platitudes andjustifications offered by our leadership. The electorate, when properly informed and attentive, is capable of seeing past theribbons and bows to the essence of legislative initiatives. The nation is crying out for leaders who stand up like JimmyStewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; unfortunately, our leaders more resemble Dancing with the Stars, tap-dancingtheir way past their constituents’ direct inquiries.

One does not have to even search for examples; they lie about like autumn leaves. I’ll name a few. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV3) has noted his role in the passage of the initial Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act in 1977 as evidence forhis support of the coal mining industry. While jobs in his district are under daily attack, given his role in enacting the ini-tial surface mining laws, one could reasonably expect him to stand up and say to the EPA: “Surface mining is allowedunder the Act; valley fills are allowed under the Act and are required for each mining operation—surface and deep; yourapproach is inconsistent with what we in Congress contemplated and you are killing Appalachian jobs and our nation’sbaseload power industry.” Instead, from Rep. Rahall, we hear silence…or the comment that “the EPA is simply doing itsjob.”

Union leaders, who are essentially politicians, remain blind apologists for the Obama administration, much to the cha-grin, I am sure, of their membership. Recently, Phil Smith of the UMWA had the temerity to say that there is not an Obama-driven “war on coal,” and that “the many legal rulings that have come out regarding mining are driving much of what theEPA and others are doing.” Huh? When campaigning, President Obama openly threatened to bankrupt the coal industry.No court ruling has mandated that EPA should assert itself wholly and completely into the mine permitting process thathad been delegated by Congress to the states and the Army Corps of Engineers, thus subsuming the balance of powercarefully crafted by the legislative branch of government.

Other elected officials who either voted for cap-and-trade or sat on the sidelines during this important battle, try to jus-tify their votes as “keeping a seat at the table.” They fall back on unrealistic estimates to try to confuse and undercut thefact that, if enacted, cap-and-trade would, as the President threatened, crush the coal industry and dramatically raise thecost of electricity to those of us in the Appalachian states and the heartland of this country. No matter what our politiciansmay espouse, you can’t kill a bedrock industry without killing jobs.

The message is clear: those of us in the coal industry must fight for our jobs, just as career politicians fight for theirs.Those in office can keep those jobs by listening and standing up with courage and frankness to fight for their constituents’livelihoods with the same tenacity as they defend their own seat of power.

Very truly yours,Roger L. NicholsonSenior Vice President, Secretary and General CounselInternational Coal Group, Inc.

ROGER L. NICHOLSONSenior Vice President, General

Counseland Secretary

(304) 760-2616 Direct(815) 642-4368 Fax

[email protected]


By Russ CassadyStaff Writer

Though their reasons for goingwere different, the dozens ofpeople gathered at theLandmark Inn on Tuesdaymorning shared a common goal:Supporting the coal industry.

They are among thousandsexpected to converge onWashington D.C., on Wednesdayto attend a “Rally for AmericanCoal Jobs,” an effort being ledby the FACES of Coal organiza-tion.

More than a dozen buses werelined up at the LandmarkTuesday morning, waiting tocarry Eastern Kentuckians toattend the rally.

Some of those preparing toleave for the nation’s capitalTuesday depend directly on thecoal industry.

Linda Potter, the wife of aforeman for TECO Coal sub-sidiary Premier Elkhorn Coal,said the industry is not onlyimportant to her, but to the com-munity as a whole.

“This is a coal mining area,our livelihoods here in EasternKentucky depend on coal,” shesaid. “Every job here ... dependson coal.”

By traveling to Washington,she said, she hopes to changethe minds of the decision-mak-ers.

“We would like the govern-ment to see we’re not really abackwoods area,” she said. “Welive in the hills by choice. Wehave educated people. We’re nota metropolis, but we haveamenities that they have.

“And we’d like to keep thatand grow,” she said.

Some making the trip to therally, like Gary Weddington,who owns the Johns Creek-based car wash equipment com-pany, Weddington Sales andService, depend on the industryto keep their non-coal business-es alive.Weddington said he was travel-ing to Washington to show sup-port for an industry that has animpact on all other local indus-tries.

“The people that work for coalspend their money with us,” hesaid. “The jobs that coal createsfilters down to us.

“I hope they can wake up someof bureaucrats in Washingtonand make them see that coal isimportant to our nation,”Weddington said. “I thinkthey’ll see the numbers and thatthe people do really care andthat we want to keep our jobsand our way of life.”

Julie Wilson, with CoalOperators and Associates, saidthe rally would afford thosegathered a chance to show theimportance of coal to the nation.

“Our only way of living iscoal,” Wilson said. “And therest of America doesn’t realizethey, also, are dependent oncoal. They don’t know theirclothes, their food, their jewelry,everything, comes from somesort of energy.”

State Rep. Leslie Combs saidin a statement Tuesday that shewould be attending the rally tohelp make a stand for the coalindustry at a time when coal

advocates claim that federal reg-ulations are endangering theirbusiness.

“If we don’t stand up for our-selves, we have no one to blame

if all of these changes take awaya life we have known for gener-ations,” she said. “The endresult is fewer jobs and moreexpensive electricity.”

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News-Express photo by Russ CassadyCoal industry supporters prepare to get on one of more than a dozen buses which were set to carry them toWashington D.C. to join up with thousands to hold a “Rally for American Coal Jobs,” event in the nation’scapital.

News-Express photo by Russ CassadyCoal industry supporters sold T-shirts to those preparing Tuesday morn-ing to travel to Washington D.C. for a “Rally for American Coal Jobs,”set to be held Wednesday.


By Audrey Carter-LeeStaff Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. —Mingo County’s innovative useof post-mine land for economicdevelopment and diversitycould have some bearing onfuture mining regulations.

For years, the county’s LandUse Master Plan has been usedas a model for other counties inthe state of West Virginia toemulate.

In 2009, the West VirginiaLegislature adopted a post-mineland use bill, making it manda-tory for county economic devel-opment authorities to establishmaster land use plans.

Under these plans, lands thatare near transportation infra-structure, such as four-lanehighways, are targeted for resi-dential, commercial and indus-trial development, while othermined lands may be used foralternate energy production.

Next week Joe Pizarchik,director of the U.S. Departmentof the Interior Office of SurfaceMining, will tour some ofMingo County’s post-mine landsites. The tour will include an11-mile section of the KingCoal Highway, the AirTransportation Park, TwistedGun Golf Course and the WoodProducts Industrial Park. Hejoins a growing list of cabinetmembers who have traveledfrom the nation’s capital toMingo County for the same pur-pose.

Following the tour, Pizarchikwill participate in a meetingwith local leaders at the LarryJoe Harless Community Centerin Gilbert, W.Va.

West Virginia Gov. JoeManchin extended the writteninvitation for the director tocome so he could learn aboutthe state’s approach to post-mine land use. The governoralso wants Pizarchik to meetwith the Mingo CountyRedevelopment Authority to seehow the board is using post-mined lands as one of its princi-pal tools in economic develop-ment and diversity.Manchin said he wants

Pizarchik to see first-hand someof the RedevelopmentAuthority’s outstanding results.

“I believe this experience willbe very informative in makingthe policy judgments that youface as director of the Office ofSurface Mining Reclamationand Enforcement,” Manchinwrote.The governor further explainedthat because much of WestVirginia’s coal producingregions have steep, rugged ter-rain that makes economic diver-sification difficult because ofthe lack of flat land for devel-opment.

“We have identified the sur-face mining process as a waywe can provide this resource atno cost to the taxpayers, so thatthese areas can have a viableeconomic future after the mine-able coal is gone,” Manchinsaid.

Manchin also expressed con-cern about portions of the direc-tor’s regulatory agenda that pro-poses to restrict variances forpost-mine land use for commer-cial, residential and industrialdevelopment and to requirereforestation of lands that werepreviously forested.

“Control of land uses and landuse planning is a state and localmatter that can most effectivelybe handled at that level insteadof being directed fromWashington,” Manchin wrote.

Many proponents of coalbelieve the industry is underattack and county officials hopeto educate the director on whatcan be done once the coal ismined out.

Randall Harris, project manag-er for the MCRA, said theybelieve the people inWashington, D.C., who aremaking decisions about surfacemining are doing so withoutbeing fully informed.

During Thursday’s monthlyRedevelopment Authority meet-ing, Tom Clarke, director ofWest Virginia Mining andReclamation, explained that ifPizarchik makes the decision togo ahead with proposed regula-tory changes, he would do soafter seeing the full picture.

Clarke agreed that some of thechanges could impact the use ofpost-mine land for economicdevelopment.

“We need to positively tellMingo County’s story, to showhim the economic benefitsdespite the topographical chal-lenges we face,” Clarke said.“He needs to see this is reallyhappening.”

Mike Whitt, executive directorof the MCRA, said Pizarchikhas been told that the countysites have been left flat andundeveloped.

“He’s looking at changingsome of the regulations onreclamation mining projects andwe want him to look at realprojects, that create real jobs,that benefit the citizens of thearea,” Whitt said. “He’s hearingfrom opponents of coal thatnothing is happening and that’snot true.”

MCRA board chairman TerrySammons said it’s wrong thatproperty that can be used foreconomic development is notbeing used for that purpose.

“There are people that are try-ing to put variables in place tokeep things from moving for-ward,” Sammons said. “We are

the ones who are affected. Thisis a very critical juncture for allof us.”

Sammons said it’s crucial totry and determine what policieswill be enacted on a federallevel.Board member Steve Kominarsaid he’s all for responsiblemining, but he’s also for aresponsible future.

“Twenty-five years ago theopportunity for advancement forthe next generation was notthere, “ Kominar said. “This isa citizen-driven effort.”

Jeff Wood, energy develop-ment specialist for the Office ofCoalfield CommunityDevelopment, said he believesthe state is in compliance withpolicies about which the federalgovernment has expressed con-cerns.

Two representatives of U.S.Congress Nick Joe Rahall, (D-W.Va.) were also in attendanceafter touring various post-minesites.

Both expressed amazement atwhat had been done.

Whitt told the group that noneof the constructed sites wouldhave been possible without pub-lic/private partnerships.

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Photo submitted. King Coal Highway



WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — TwoMingo County renewable ener-gy projects have been approvedfor funding by the AppalachianRegional Commission (ARC).These are among six WestVirginia projects which willshare $239,008 in funding bythe ARC.

Renewable energy comes fromnatural resources such as sun-light, wind, rain, tides, andgeothermal heat that are natu-rally replenished.

One project calls for theplacement of solar panels on theTwisted Gun Golf Course club-house. This will demonstratethe potential for photovoltaicpower systems to convert sun-light directly into electricity onlands left open to the sky. Theinstallation of a 2.5 kilowatt PVsystem at Twisted Gun willenable the course to generatesome, if not all of its daily elec-trical energy demand, exchang-ing daytime excess power forfuture energy needs.

The Mingo County golf coursewas one of the first post mineland use projects in Appalachia.Its success is being widely usedas an example of what can bedone to improve communitieswhen mining is completed. The 4H Camp Energy CropPlanting Project will involveplacing a selection of treeseedlings on 38.5 acres of theslope portions of a site which isbeing reclaimed as a regionalyouth camp.

At maturity, the seedlings willbe selectively harvested to sup-ply feedstock to one of thewood energy plants being con-structed in the region, as well asproviding income to support theoperation of the youth camp.The plantings will run some2,100 feet from a wildlife groveon the southeast section of thesite to a second wildlife groveon the northeastern portion,thus positioning the resultingforest for easy future harvestand providing a wildlife con-

nector.Randall Harris, projects man-

ager for the Mingo CountyRedevelopment Authority, saidthis program is an excellent fitbecause it allows the county toleverage its natural resourcesinto value-added activities.

“We are very thankful to havebeen awarded these two grants,”said Harris who wrote the grantapplication. “It allows us to fur-ther demonstrate that post mineland use contributes directly toeconomic development purpos-es, and it demonstrates ourinterest in complementing tradi-tional energy sources withrenewable energy production.”

A principal economic develop-ment concern in West Virginiais the development of value-added activities to complementexisting industries, as well asthe encouragement of high-tech-nology business endeavors.

Surface mining impacts 16West Virginia counties, 14 ofwhich are designated as dis-tressed or at risk by the ARC.After mining, local communi-ties are left with developableland, but often that land doesnot lend itself to re-use whichcan maintain mining employ-ment levels or increase thenumber of local jobs. Renewalenergy production may be aproductive re-use for theselands, and officials hope thegrant program will provide animpetus for coal operators andlandowners to explore suchoptions, which have greatpotential for the creation of“green” collar jobs.

Statics show that in 2008,about 19 percent of global finalenergy consumption came fromrenewables, with 13 percentcoming from traditional bio-mass, which is mainly used forheating, and 3.2 percent fromhydroelectricity.

New renewables (small hydro,modern biomass, wind, solar,geothermal, and biofuels)accounted for another 2.7 per-cent and are growing very rap-idly..

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By Sharon DodsonThe Center for RuralDevelopment

SOMERSET — The region’stop business leaders and entrepre-neurs who play a vital role ingrowing the economy in Southernand Eastern Kentucky were hon-ored Sept. 13 at the 2010Excellence in EntrepreneurshipAwards (EIEA) program hosted atThe Center for RuralDevelopment in Somerset.Among those taking top honors

were a pair of Pike County broth-ers who built one of the region’smost successful companies.Shannon and Kendall Wright,owners of Wright Concrete andConstruction were named top for-profit business. It was the thirdtime they had been a finalist forthe award.

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal”Rogers (KY-05), special guestspeaker, helped recognize all ofthe EIEA finalists and celebratedthe accomplishments of the win-

ning award recipients in each ofthe four business categories.

“It is no secret small businessescreate most of the new jobs in thiscountry,” Rogers told businessleaders and entrepreneurs at theEIEA luncheon. “You are not onlyproviding those new jobs. You arealso providing a spark in yourcommunity that will lead others tobigger things.

“I am here to encourage you andthank you for the good work thatyou do,” he added. “This banquetis all about rewarding some veryspecial people who have gone theextra mile and make a real differ-ence in their community.”

The 2010 EIEA award winnersand finalists in their respectivecategories are as follows:

• For-Profit Business: ShannonWright and Kendall Wright, own-ers, Wright Concrete andConstruction, Inc., Dorton, Ky.Finalists: Tommy and GwenMitchell, owners, Rocky Top Log

Furniture, and William P. Hardy,director of planning, Carhartt,Inc., Irvine, Ky.

• For-Profit Small Business:Kaye Bowman, Stacey Wilson, andDavid Bowman, owners,Community Medical Services,Columbia, Ky.

Finalists: Frances D. Snowden,owner, Ravenna Florist andGreenhouse, Ravenna, Ky., andTimothy Howard and DavidHoward, co-owners, HowardEngineering and Geology, Inc.,Harlan, Ky.

• Start-Up Business: AmberStone, owner, Body of StoneFitness, London, Ky.Finalists: Nick Noble, president andco-founder, The Fortress Group,Inc., dba Park Mammoth Resort,Park City, Ky., and Sandra G.Dingus, owner, president, andCEO, Drug Testing Centers of

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Brothers Shannon and KendallWright, third and fifth from left,owners of Wright Concrete andConstruction, Inc. in Dorton, arethe recipients of the 2010Excellence in EntrepreneurshipAward (EIEA) in the For-ProfitBusiness category. Presentingthem with the award are, JerryRickett, at far left, president andCEO of Kentucky HighlandsInvestment Corp.; Dr. RobertRogow, second from left, dean ofEastern Kentucky University’s(EKU) College of Business andTechnology; U.S. CongressmanHarold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05),fourth from left; and LonnieLawson, at far right, president andCEO of The Center for RuralDevelopment. The award winnerswere announced Sept. 13 at theEIEA luncheon held at The Centerin Somerset. The program is spon-sored by EKU’s College ofBusiness and Technology,Kentucky Highlands InvestmentCorp., and The Center.



By Matthew BrownAssociated Press Writer

WYODAK, Wyo. (AP) —Utilities across the country arebuilding dozens of old-style coalplants that will cement the indus-try’s standing as the largest indus-trial source of climate-changinggases for years to come.An Associated Press examination

of U.S. Department of Energyrecords and information providedby utilities and trade groups showsthat more than 30 traditional coalplants have been built since 2008or are under construction.

The construction wave stretchesfrom Arizona to Illinois and SouthCarolina to Washington, andcomes despite growing publicwariness over the high environ-mental and social costs of fossilfuels, demonstrated by tragic minedisasters in West Virginia, the Gulfoil spill and wars in the MiddleEast.

The expansion, the industry’slargest in two decades, representsan acknowledgment that highlytouted “clean coal” technology isstill a long ways from becoming areality and underscores a renewedconfidence among utilities thatproposals to regulate carbon emis-sions will fail. The Senate lastmonth scrapped the leading bill tocurb carbon emissions followingopposition from Republicans andcoal-state Democrats.

“Building a coal-fired powerplant today is betting that we arenot going to put a serious financialcost on emitting carbon dioxide,”said Severin Borenstein, directorof the Energy Institute at theUniversity of California-Berkeley.“That may be true, but unless mostof the scientists are way off themark, that’s pretty bad public poli-cy.”

Federal officials have long strug-gled to balance coal’s hidden costsagainst its more conspicuous rolein providing half the nation’s elec-tricity.

Hoping for a technological solu-tion, the Obama administrationdevoted $3.4 billion in stimulusspending to foster “clean-coal”plants that can capture and storegreenhouse gases. Yet newinvestments in traditional coalplants total at least 10 times thatamount — more than $35 billion.

Utilities say they are clinging tocoal because its abundance makes

it cheaper than natural gas ornuclear power and more reliablethan intermittent power sourcessuch as wind and solar. Still, theprice of coal plants is rising andconsumers in some areas servedby the new facilities will see theirelectricity bill rise by up to 30 per-cent.

Industry representatives say thoseincreases would be even steeper ifutilities switched to more expen-sive fuels or were forced to adoptemission-reduction measures.Approval of the plants has come

from state and federal agenciesthat do not factor in emissions ofcarbon dioxide, considered theleading culprit behind globalwarming. Scientists and environ-mentalists have tried to stop thecoal rush with some success, turn-ing back dozens of plants throughlawsuits and other legal chal-lenges.As a result, current construction

is far more modest than projecteda few years ago when 151 newplants were forecast by federalregulators. But analysts say theprojects that prevailed are morethan enough to ensure coal’s con-tinued dominance in the powerindustry for years to come.

Sixteen large plants have fired upsince 2008 and 16 more are underconstruction, according to recordsexamined by the AP.Combined, they will produce anestimated 17,900 megawatts ofelectricity, sufficient to power upto 15.6 million homes — roughlythe number of homes in Californiaand Arizona combined.

They also will generate about125 million tons of greenhousegases annually, according to emis-sions figures from utilities and theCenter for Global Development.That’s the equivalent of putting 22million additional automobiles onthe road.

The new plants do not capturecarbon dioxide. That’s despite thestimulus spending and an addition-al $687 million spent by theDepartment of Energy on cleancoal programs.

DOE spokesman John Grasseracknowledged the new plants rep-resent a missed chance to rein incarbon emissions. But he saidmore opportunities would arise aselectricity consumption increases.

Experts say the widespread appli-cation of carbon-neutralizing tech-nologies for coal plants remains at

least 15 to 20 years away.“This is not something that’s

going to happen tomorrow,”Grasser said. “You have to do therequired research and develop-ment and take steps along theway.”

Producing clean coal powerappears straightforward: Separatethe carbon dioxide before it goesup the smokestack, then store itunderground in geological forma-tions.

Experimental trials have beensuccessful but putting the conceptinto commercial practice has beenstymied by high costs and the dif-ficulty of isolating carbon dioxidefrom other gases.

“We are pushing the envelope asfar as what’s possible,” said JonLaCour, manager for the 115-megawatt Wygen III coal plant,which came online in northeasternWyoming this spring. “We haveno way of capturing carbon.”

Inside the plant, a ton of coal perminute rumbles off conveyor beltsfrom the nearby WyoDak mine.

Hulking steel pulverizers crushthe fuel to the consistency of babypowder, fans blow it into a giantfurnace and the coal goes up inflames that can top 1,700 degreesFahrenheit, producing steam togenerate electricity.

WyGen is more efficient thanearlier plants, burning about 20percent less coal. Yet the processitself has changed little since

Thomas Edison built the firstplant in 1882 in Manhattan.And while dramatic advanceshave been made at the back end ofcoal plants — where Wygen’soperator, Black Hills Power,removes most of the nitrogenoxides, sulfur dioxide and otheracid-rain pollutants — efforts tocurb greenhouse gases havelagged.

Black Hills spent $80 millionon pollution controls for WyGen,bumping up its price tag to $247million. Like most of the newfleet of plants, space was left atWyGen for the future installationof carbon-capture equipment.

As climate change emerged as aglobal dilemma in recent years,the coal industry at timesappeared on the ropes.

Environmentalists trumpeted100 plants dropped or delayed.Regulators imposed tighter emis-sion limits for acid rain pollu-tants and reined in destructivemining practices. And the reces-sion dampened consumerdemand for power, promptingsome utilities to scrap expansionplans.

But coal has not gone away.“The reason coal burns in this

country is not because anyonelikes the smog. It’s the cost,”said Daniel Scott, a coal industryanalyst with Dahlman Rose &Company in New York.

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AP Photo/Charlie Riedel


By Dylan LovanAssociated Press Writer

ROBARDS (AP) — KentuckySenate candidate Rand Paul visit-ed a power plant Wednesday totout the importance of coal to thestate’s low energy rates.

Paul said recent climate legisla-tion that would place a fee oncarbon emissions from coal-firedpower plants, sometimes referredto as cap-and-trade, would killindustry in Kentucky.

The Bowling Green Republicanvisited a plant complex owned bythe Big Rivers ElectricCorporation in HendersonCounty. He said nearby alu-minum plants that employ about1,600 people wouldn’t be locatedin Kentucky if not for the state’scheap electric power.

“All these people lose their jobswith cap-and-trade,” Paul said.

Electric consumers in Kentuckypay some of the lowest rates inthe nation, and the state drawsabout 92 percent of its electricpower from burning coal.

The climate legislation passedthe House but Democrats in theSenate were forced to shelveplans last month because of alack of Republican support. Paulsaid the legislation, which soughtto cut carbon emissions frompower plants, could make acomeback if Republicans loseseats in the Senate.

Paul’s Democratic opponent,Attorney General Jack Conway,released a statement Wednesdaycriticizing Paul for calling coal “avery dirty form of energy” earlierthis year.

Paul acknowledged making thestatement, and said there are“cleaner” forms of energy cre-ation, but added that coal-richKentucky should utilize its avail-able resources.

Paul said Conway has reversedhis position in order to opposecap-and-trade legislation.Conway said in a statement he is“opposed to any and all cap-and-trade legislation, which unfairlypunishes coal states likeKentucky.”

The plan that failed in theSenate would have chargedpower plants, manufacturers andother large polluters for theirheat-trapping carbon emissions,which contribute to global warm-ing.

The House voted 219-212 lastyear for a plan featuring econom-ic incentives to reduce carbon

emissions from power plants,vehicles and other sources.

Republicans slammed the bill asan energy tax and jobs killer,arguing that the costs would bepassed on to consumers in theform of higher electricity billsand fuel costs that would leadmanufacturers to take their facto-ries overseas.

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AP Photo/The Gleaner, Darrin PhegleyRand Paul, center-right, candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks to mem-

bers of the media outside the Big Rivers Electric power plant.


Annual event set for Oct. 20-21 inLouisville

FRANKFORT — The KentuckyEnergy and Environment Cabinet(EEC) is working diligently toprepare a dynamic agenda for the34th Governor’s Conference onthe Environment. The conferencetakes place Oct. 20-21, 2010 at theLouisville Downtown Marriott.

“In today’s world, energy andenvironmental issues have directconnections with not only ourstate’s economy, but with theglobal economy,” said EECSecretary Len Peters. “We havegreat opportunities and seriouschallenges with the logical associ-ation of these issues. With theconference, we want to advance adialogue among government, busi-ness, community and academialeaders that address how we canmove forward to become an ener-gy leader while protecting ourenvironment and promoting eco-nomic development.”

Confirmed speakers include VicStaffieri, chief executive officerand president of E.On US; SteveBrown of the EnvironmentalCouncil on the States; and TheresaPugh of the American PublicPower Association.

Workshops topics include airquality regulations; coal miningand water quality issues; landpreservation and conservation;and BioEnergy, just to name afew.

The conference includes anexhibit hall for vendors wishing todisplay energy- and environmen-tal-related products. Conferenceregistration and exhibit boothreservations will begin Sept. 14,2010. To register or to reservebooth space, visit the cabinet’swebsite athttp://eec.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.

For additional conference infor-mation, contact Karen Wilson bye-mail at [email protected] call 502-564-3350.

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Frankfort — During mid-September, Rep. Keith Hall stoodwith Kentucky coal miners,Kentucky Coal Academy repre-sentatives, elected officials andthe state’s Energy andEnvironment Cabinet secretary toincrease awareness of coal minesafety throughout theCommonwealth.The Kentucky Coal Academy’stheme for their 2010 safety cam-paign is “Bring Them HomeSafe” which will be used in anaggressive media safety campaignincluding television and newspa-per articles and safety posters forevery Kentucky coal mine opera-tion.

“As a card carrying Kentuckyminer I am proud to stand up herewith my brothers to defend coalmining,” said Hall. “I takeoffense to people outside ofEastern Kentucky who criticizecoal mining but have no stake inthe industry. Coal mining feedsour families, sends our kids tocollege, pays our mortgages, andprovides us with health and retire-ment benefits. It is the majoremployer in Eastern Kentuckyand certainly in my district whichis the number one coal producingcounty in Kentucky.”National industry sources reportthat coal production has increased76 percent since 1970 while fatal

injuries have fallen by two-thirdsin the last 18 years. The rise inproduction and the decrease infatalities is evidence of the minetraining improvements, betterenforcement and compliance.“It’s real easy to sit in judgmentof others when you live in a bigurban city that has Ford MotorCompany, UPS, Toyota and oth-ers which employ tens of thou-sands of people,” continued Rep.Hall. “We don’t have the geo-graphical conditions or the capitalto entice large corporations to ourarea. Coal mining is our majoreconomic engine and we’re proudof the jobs and benefits it pro-vides.”

The month of September has beendeclared “Kentucky Coal MinerSafety Awareness Month” inKentucky. Besides the mediacampaign, Kentucky CoalAcademy officials will award“Coal Baron Certificates” to minesafety directors at receptionsplanned at KCA colleges through-out the month.“It’s nice to see our coal minersand operators rewarded for theirgood work,” said Rep. Hall.“These men and women put theirlives on the line every day so wecan enjoy cheap electricity andit’s time we applauded their goodwork.”

RReepp.. KKeeiitthh HHaallll ssttaannddss uupp ffoorr mmiinneerrss aatt““BBrriinngg TThheemm HHoommee SSaaffee!!”” eevveenntt

Submitted PhotoRep. Keith Hall speaks at Kentucky Coal Academy event. To his right is Sen. Brandon Smith and members of the Kentucky Coal Academy.



Often ignored in the battleover the future of mountaintopremoval mining, the work coalcompanies do to reclaim theland after it is mined was in thespotlight recently in Pikeville.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, a localbusiness was praised and award-ed for their work on a PikeCounty mine site. Commissionerof the Department for NaturalResources, Carl Campbell pre-sented a local father and sonduo with the 2010Commissioner’s Award ofExcellence in Reclamation at asmall ceremony that took placeat the Division of MineReclamation and Enforcement inPikeville. Campbell said he isproud of this effort and wasthrilled to be there to present theaward.

“It means a lot to me, becauseyou read every day in the pressabout the negative aspects ofmining,” he said.Hank and Luke Salyer ofLABCO, LLC, received thisaward for their reclamationwork on a surface facility nearElkhorn City.

“Our company is a very smallfamily company, and we seekout companies that have beenmined before previously, andthen we generally do what theycall a remining reclamationproject,” Hank said. “So weactually go on old property, andthen we take what coal had beenleft on that property and doreclamation work.”

One of these tasks is whatearned the Salyers this award.The landowner working withLABCO, LLC, wishes to turnwhat was once mining land, intoa “fish and wildlife habitat,”specifically for bats.

LABCO, LLC is working onplanting grasses — orchard-grass, timothy and redtop grass-es — as well as several legumesspecies, in order to create andmaintain a vegetative cover. Inaddition, the company has

incorporated in the reclamationplan, tree species with exfoliat-ing bark, which will protect theIndiana Bat and other wildlife.

This project would be quite anundertaking for any company,but for a small company likethat of the Salyers, this kind ofaccomplishment is impressive tosay the least.

“There’s probably not three offour companies our size thateven do this kind of stuff,because it’s just so overwhelm-ing,” Hank said. “The miningindustry, it’s changed a little bitover the past few years in thatyou have several agencies todeal with. You have a lot ofmail, a lot of paperwork and alot of forms to keep up with andreports to fill out.”

Hank said he credits his son,Luke with dealing with the heapof deskwork and red tape of thisproject, while he himself wasresponsible for the preliminarypart of the permit.

Both father and son said theyattribute part of the success ofthis project to the fact that thisis a family business, and theyshare a strong bond. Becausethey spend so much time togeth-er in and out of work, business

endeavor discussions often fol-low them on family vacationsand other leisure adventures.

“Probably the smartest thingI’ve ever done is working withmy family, and probably thedumbest thing I’ve ever done isworking with my family,” Lukesaid, laughing.

Joking aside, Campbell saidthis company has set the bar forother mining businesses in thisarea by sending the messagethat mining can, and should beenvironmentally positive.

“They set the example in theregion that they represent,” hesaid of the company.Campbell said this kind ofexample is especially importantin an area such as this, where somuch of the economy dependson mining practices.

“The mining jobs really impactso many businesses besides justthe coal miners themselves,” hesaid. “It’s every mom and poplittle grocery store, and every-body that sells gas, and it reallyimpacts a whole lot of people.It’s really important to EastKentucky and Kentucky as awhole.”

In presenting the Salyers withthe award, Campbell told them

their innovative mining prac-tices have successfully mini-mized stream impact andbrought much of the site back toits approximate original contour.He added that wildlife inKentucky and Virginia will begreatly enhanced by the compa-ny’s efforts and predicted thatthis would be the first of manyawards the company wouldreceive.

“I grew up in a miningregion,” Campbell said. “I knowhow important mining is to thepeople of the region becausejobs and their livelihooddepends on it, so it’s reallyimportant to me to come out andgive the reclamation award —to do something positive for thecooperators — and I do it toofor some recognition for theregional inspectors.”

Eddie Kelly and GeneBlackburn, Division of MineReclamation and Enforcement(DMRE) inspectors from thePikeville Regional Office, nomi-nated the site because theybelieved the company’s work tobe exceptional and their com-mitment to the environmentstrong.

Luke said most of his workwith his father involves propertythat was mined back in the 50sand 60s, when the methods ofreclamation were not up to thestandards that they are today.

“After we get done with thatproperty, you can imagine howmuch better it looks, thinking ofthe quality of reclamation in1950, as opposed to what it is in2010,” he said.

Campbell said past recipientsof the Commissioner’s Awardhave told him the prestige of theaward, which was on publicrecord, gave them credibilitywith clients, resulting in betterbusiness.

The Salyers said they areproud of this honor and couldn’thave done it without the help ofthe others at the company. Theysaid this is only the beginning,and that they are already look-ing forward to future endeavors.

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News-Express photo by Kendall Atkins LivickHank Salyer and son Luke look over the plaque they’ve just been award-

ed, taking in this moment.


By Tim HuberAP Business Writer

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (AP) — The government announced an emer-gency rule in September that will require underground mines to domore to control explosive coal dust following the deadliest U.S.coal mine explosion in 40 years, the first major federal regulatorychange since the disaster.

Mine Safety and Health Administration director Joe Mainannounced the change at an industry conference in West Virginia’ssouthern coalfields. The change comes after growing evidence thatcoal dust played a role in the blast that killed 29 miners and serious-ly injured two others at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch mineApril 5.The explosion is the subject of ongoing civil and criminal investiga-tions.

The change will increase to 80 percent the amount of pulverizedstone or other inert material that mines must use to dilute coal dustin tunnels that bring fresh air underground. The standard had been65 percent since the mid-1920s. The dust content in tunnels thatreturn bad air to the outside already must contain 80 percent inertmaterials.

“It’s an old standard that’s been outdated,” Main told reporters.The change is based on federal research that shows decreasing theamount of coal dust in air intakes can help prevent explosions, Mainsaid.

Mines must comply by Oct. 7 in new areas and by Nov. 22 inexisting tunnels, Main said.The coal industry expressed immediate support for the change,

which is already a state requirement in West Virginia. Gov. JoeManchin issued an executive order adopting the 80 percent standardin mid-April.

“West Virginia producers are complying,” said Luke Popovich, aspokesman for the National Mining Association. “Many have car-ried it to their operations outside West Virginia.”

Popovich said the Washington, D.C.-based trade group hasreviewed the NIOSH study underpinning the rule and considers itsound science.

MSHA announced Friday that more than 1,400 of 1,803 samplescollected inside the Upper Big Branch mine by investigators showexcessive amounts of coal dust were present before the blast. Thefindings bolster MSHA’s preliminary findings issued 10 days afterthe explosion that a mix of methane and coal dust caused the explo-sion.

The Associated Press reported Sept. 12 that handwritten logsrecording inspections by Upper Big Branch employees showed eightconveyer belts had excessive amounts of coal dust 32 minutesbefore the explosion. Mine owner Massey Energy’s chief counsel,Shane Harvey, has conceded that miners would have been unable tocorrect that violation before the blast. But Harvey insists that themine was adequately dusted and the logs merely reflect reminders todust the mine.

“We continue to think UBB was well dusted,” Harvey said. And herepeated Massey’s contention that dust samples collected monthsafter the accident are baseless.

Harvey raised no immediate objection to the emergency rule.“We’ll analyze the regulation,” Harvey said. “We agree that rock

dusting is critically important in coal mines.”

MMiinnee ssaaffeettyy aaggeennccyy hhaass nneeww rruullee aafftteerr WW..VVaa.. bbllaasstt 34 • October, 2010 • Natural Resources Natural Resources • October, 2010 • 27

America, Paintsville, Ky.• Not-for-Profit Business: Dr.Ron Hustedde, director, KentuckyEntrepreneurial Coaches Institute,UK Department of Communityand Leadership, Lexington, Ky.Finalists: Dr. David Worthy,CEO, Grace Community HealthCenter, Inc., Gray, Ky., and KenRussell, Horse CaveDevelopment Corporation, HorseCave, Ky.

Award finalists were determinedby the economic success of theenterprise, contributions to thecommunity, and job creation andoperational achievement as meas-ured by innovative business prac-tices, superior safety achieve-ment, and superior technology.

EKU student Joe Eisenhauerand business advisor professorDr. Rita Davis, recipients of theExcellence in EntrepreneurshipCollegiate Business ConceptChallenge, and the first-placewinning team of The Center’s2010 Entrepreneurial LeadershipInstitute (ELI) Business Concept

competition on the high schoollevel also were honored at theawards program.

ELI team members AustinKirksey, Wayne County; PaigePrice and Hannah Lake, both ofPulaski County; South Whitt,Bath County; and CatherineCrawford of Laurel County, wererecognized for putting together aphysical fitness plan that address-es the growing problem of obesi-ty in the United States andKentucky. Each of the highschool students is eligible toreceive a Presidential Scholarshipto attend Eastern KentuckyUniversity in Richmond.

Deputy Commissioner WarrenNash of the KentuckyDepartment ofCommercialization andInnovation delivered the keynoteaddress, and Dr. Robert Rogow,dean of Eastern KentuckyUniversity’s College of Businessand Technology, served as emcee.

The EIEA program is sponsoredby EKU’s College of Businessand Technology, KentuckyHighlands Investment

Corporation, and The Center.Contributing partners for this

year’s program were AT&T, plat-inum sponsor; Forcht Group ofKentucky, gold sponsor; OutdoorVenture Corporation, silver spon-sor; and Somerset-Pulaski CountyChamber of Commerce, bronzesponsor. Friends Level Sponsorsincluded Eastern KentuckyUniversity, Masters of BusinessAdministration; AppalachianDevelopment Alliance, and theRichmond Chamber ofCommerce.

For more information on theEIEA program, visit The Center’sWeb site at www.centertech.comand clink on the EIEA link. Avideo library of previous EIEAaward finalists may be viewed onthe KEAN (KentuckyEntrepreneur AcceleratorNetwork) Web site atwww.kyean.org or through a linkon The Center’s Web site.

To be eligible for EIEA compe-tition, businesses must be locatedin one of the following 55Southern and Eastern Kentuckycounties: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd,

Boyle, Breathitt, Carter, Casey,Clark, Clay, Clinton,Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott,Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard,Green, Greenup, Harlan, Hart,Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson,Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence,Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis,Lincoln, McCreary, Madison,Magoffin, Martin, Menifee,Metcalfe, Monroe, Montgomery,Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike,Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle,Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Wayne,Whitley, or Wolfe.

The Center for RuralDevelopment — the Center ofExcellence for rural Kentuckyand the nation — provides eco-nomic and community develop-ment programs to residents in a42-county primary service area ofSouthern and Eastern Kentucky,and is home to several statewideand national technology-basedprograms. For more informationon programs available throughThe Center, visit www.cen-tertech.com. The Center is locat-ed in Somerset.

Hoskins said there is no chargeto enter KEMI’s competition andthe event is held each year tobring different rescue teamstogether at one location and givethe teams a chance to bond withone another.

“We want the teams to get toknow each other,” he said. “Atany given time, one of theseteams could be backing up any ofthese other teams.”

Hoskins said the responsibilityof mine rescue teams is so greatthat his company wanted to givethe teams a chance to sharpen andshowcase their skills.

“To put on the respirator, youhave to be the best of the best,” hesaid.And it’s the desire to be the best

that keeps competitors’ skillssharpened and keeps them want-ing to win.

“This is a serious matter,”Clutter said. “But we’re here towin it.”

Hoskins said no matter how

many safety measures are taken,coal mining is still a hazardousjob, and the situations simulatedin the competition give rescueteams another chance to preparefor the worst.

“You never want something likethis to happen,” he said. “Butyou’ve got to be prepared.”

News-Express photo by Chris AndersonTeam members from American Coal Company, in Illinois, work their way through the course at Bob Amos Park while teammates

consult charts and record data. Mine rescue teams from seven states took part in the competition.

News-Express photo by Chris Anderson

A Cumberland River CoalCompany rescue team member

holds an air quality gauge into theair while his team navigates the

course at the KEMI competition.Teams were faced with a number of

tasks while running the course,including testing air for levels ofmethane gas, carbon dioxide and

oxygen.

Continued From Page 17


By Chris AndersonStaff Writer

A mine rescue competition heldat Bob Amos Park in Pikeville thisweek brought out the competitivenature in the hundreds of partici-pants.But for at least one team captain,the competition has taken on awhole new meaning.

Leslie Clutter, a team captain forone of Alpha Natural Resources’seven safety teams which tookpart in the mine rescue competi-tion sponsored by KentuckyEmployers Mutual Insurancecompany, or KEMI, said the dis-aster at Massey Energy’s UpperBig Branch mine in Montcoal,W.Va. in April gave a whole newmeaning to such events.A veteran of several rescue com-

petitions, Cutter admitted thatprior to the disaster, he and histeammates didn’t take competi-tions quite as seriously.

“For me and my teammates,before UBB, it was just a biggame,” he said. “After that it wasdifferent. It’s serious.”

Clutter said his team was sent toMontcoal following the disaster toassist in the search and recoveryof the 29 miners who died in theworst coal mining disaster in thecountry in 40 years. His enjoy-ment of the competitions hasn’tchanged in the wake of the disas-ter, but his understanding andrespect for the events has.

“You hate to lose in these things,but that’s not what it’s all about,”he said.

Dozens of mine rescue teamsconverged on Bob Amos Park onTuesday to take part in the compe-tition. After being given a minedisaster scenario, teams navigateda rope obstacle course, whileavoiding various simulated haz-ards, in order to reach trapped orfallen miners.KEMI officials said teams had lit-tle more than an hour to completethe course and were observed andscored by Mine Safety and HealthAdministration (MSHA) officials.

Officials said 44 teams from

seven states took part in the three-day event, the third such competi-tion to be held in Pikeville.Competitors from Kentucky,Virginia, West Virginia,Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana andAlabama took part in the event.

The competition has grown sincethe first in 2008. Daven Hoskins,an official with KEMI, said 36teams took part in the competitionin 2009. He said 700-800 peoplewere expected to take attend thisyear’s competition, includingcompetitors and spectators.

Teams were “locked in” at thePikeville YMCA until it was theirturn to take a run at the course.They were then brought to one ofthe many courses set up on thefields at the park.

Hoskins said holding the compe-tition in Pikeville is an obviouschoice.

“This is the heart of coal coun-try,” he said. “For what coal hasmeant to Pikeville and whatPikeville has meant to coal, wewanted to have it here.”

AA ggaammee wwiitthh aa sseerriioouuss ssiiddeeMine rescue competition

News-Express photo by Chris AndersonA competition official consults members of a mine rescue team at the KEMI competition on Thursday. Teams were

judged and scored by Mine Safety and Health Administration officials while navigating the course.

News-Express photo by Chris AndersonCumberland River Coal Company team members perform equipmentchecks on one another during the KEMI competition. Mine rescue teamsperformed the same tasks they would in the event of an actual mine dis-aster, including checking teammate’s equipment, roping off hazardousareas and communicating with a command center.
