August 13, 2026 - Below is a message from the West Virginia Coal Association:

According to all accounts, the Association's Annual Membership meeting was ultra successful in bringing the industry together in support and appreciation of President Trump's efforts to make West Virginia coal great again.  

Allow us to thank our great line up of speakers and everyone who attended our Annual Membership meeting at the Greenbrier Resort. Special thanks to all our sponsors for their generous contributions and Encova Insurance for underwriting the cost of our Friday night dinner.

Based on all the feedback, everyone had a great time and the selection of talented speakers and topics over the three days was well-timed and outstanding.  Kudos to our member company CEOs and industry leaders Jimmy Brock, Mike Day, Andy Eidson, Amand Hale, Jim Laurita, Perry Longacre, Rob Moore and Justin Thompson who took time from their busy schedules to participate.

Curt Coccodrilli, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Energy, detailed the efforts of the Trump Administration to secure coal’s place in the national energy mix. Coccodrilli also highlighted two reports issued by the recently reconstituted National Coal Council and the Administration’s commitment to fully implement the recommendations of both reports.  EPA Region III Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey highlighted the Trump Administration’s environmental policy objectives, including revisions to punitive regulations and restoring deference to state regulatory programs.  Leslie Drake of U.S. Commercial Service described the services and assistance available through federal channels for West Virginia coal producers to market their coal around the globe. 

Remarks by US Senator Justice and Congresswoman Miller were on point and both informative and energizing.  Our national partners, i.e. National Mining Association leaders Jerry Mullins and Tawney Bridgeford, apprised meeting attendees of recent developments in national policy, legal, and polling data related to coal and the mining industry. 

Harold Ward (DEP), Jonathan Rorrer (DEP), Nick Preservatti (Energy), and Frank Foster (Mine Safety Office) offered timely insights into their programs and challenges facing the industry.  Senate President Randy Smith and House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, joined with Senators Chris Rose, Brian Helton, Robbie Morris and Scott Fuller providing commentary on the Legislatures interest to help coal in every way possible and that body’s role in guiding the regulatory processes and policies of the state.

The camaraderie and enthusiasm shared by those in attendance provided a great deal of optimism and ambition throughout the weekend.  

The Association has recently reinvigorated its Friends of Coal program to provide direct access to miners and family members with the ability to speak out on behalf of coal and embrace the candidacy of elected officials who support the industry. Please make an effort to circulate the various FOC materials to members of your team. Be sure to mention the new FOC App and the simple process they can use to download it and begin using it as a tool to participate in the political process.

Regarding our PAC, our Board of Directors noted the importance of the Associations collective political activity and the impact we've had over the years on state legislative elections and the legislature. Obviously, the two go hand and hand and success on Election Day typically results in legislative success. 

We are in the process of rebuilding our PAC balances now so we can focus on state elections this fall. All production members are challenged to raise $5,000 for West Virginians For Coal by October 1st and all Associate members are asked to contribute $1,000 by October. We hope everyone responds favorably to this challenge. 

Our Coal Victory PAC is an Independent Expenditure that expends funds independently of individual candidate campaigns to assist candidates of choice in their election bids. The Coal Victory PAC can receive unlimited corporate funds. 

If you are interested in having an Association staff attend a company function to discuss our PAC along with state politics, please give one of us a call.  We welcome and truly enjoy the opportunity to visit your operations, meet with you, your management teams, and your workforce to have frank discussions of policy, politics and regulatory issues.   

Politics driven by political agendas play too big of a role in our business for everyone not to be involved. Frankly, if everyone contributes a little it'll keep some from giving a lot.

Our political challenges are more serious than ever, and the Association and its members have a job to do!

Thank you for your support and for what you do for our great industry.