By Jenay Tate

March 23, 2018 - Along with announcing new jobs, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam Friday also told a crowded room at Clintwood's Dickenson Center for Education and Research that he had signed the metallurgical coal tax credits bill passed this session by the Virginia General Assembly.

Sponsored by Sen. Ben Chafin, R-Lebanon, and Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City, the measure had the support of the Southwest Delegation and the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance.

The bills represent a new approach to the coal tax credits, Chafin said in an announcement after the event, noting that the new coal tax credits will increase the competitiveness of Virginia metallurgical coal in the national and international markets.

After several years of gridlock on the issue, Chafin and Kilgore worked closely with Northam and his administration on the legislation. He commended the governor "for working with us across the aisle on this important legislation for Southwest Virginia.

"The coal industry is vital to the region and I have continued to fight for coal and our miners. The metallurgical coal tax credits help struggling mines remain open and will incentivize the opening of new mines, creating good paying jobs in the area.”

In the same announcement, Kilgore said he was pleased Northam recognizes the importance of the coal tax credit and the value of coal mining in Southwest Virginia’s economy. "This is a big win for Southwest Virginia and I am thankful for the cooperation with the Governor’s administration,” he said.

Metallurgical coal, used in the process of making steel, represents a significant portion of the coal mined in Southwest Virginia. Coal mining in Virginia has an economic impact across the state in the railroad industry and at the port of Virginia.

Jeff Taylor, chairman of the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance, expressed appreciation to the sponsors and supporters. “This legislation will greatly assist Virginia's metallurgical mining community, the rail roads and the ports," he said.

Del. Todd Pillion called the signing of the coal tax credits bill "welcome news for families and communities in Southwest Virginia." He thanked Northam for working "to support the hardworking people of our region and giving our economy a hand up by enacting this measure.”