December 30, 2025 - The West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) submitted formal comments to the West Virginia Office of Energy this week, urging that coal remain a foundational element of the state’s Comprehensive Energy Plan.

The association transmitted its filing to Office of Energy Director Nicholas Preservati and highlighted coal’s role in grid resilience, baseload power, high-wage jobs and the tax revenues that support schools and infrastructure. WVCA President Chris Hamilton said the group stands ready to provide data and industry perspective as the plan is finalized.

“West Virginia’s coal industry has supplied reliable, low?cost energy that has powered American growth for generations,” the filing says. The association emphasizes coal’s continued importance to domestic manufacturing, reshoring supply chains, and global energy markets. WVCA also called for continued investment in modern coal technologies and plant upgrades so the state’s coal fleet can operate at optimum capacity for decades to come.

The submission notes recent policy moves at the federal and state level intended to stabilize the coal sector. It cited actions by the federal administration as well as state measures backed by Governor Patrick Morrisey and the Legislature, including House Bill 2014, a microgrid and data center bill designed to boost in?state coal generation and long-term grid reliability.

For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.