West Virginia Coal Association Applauds Senate’s 32–2 Passage of HB 4026, House Finance Action on Metallurgical Coal Tax Relief
The West Virginia Coal Association (WVCA) has applauded the West Virginia Senate for its overwhelming 32–2 floor vote in favor of House Bill 4026 — the West Virginia First Energy Act, and praised the House Finance Committee for advancing legislation reducing the severance tax burden on metallurgical coal.
WVCA President and CEO Chris Hamilton said the decisive margin underscores the Legislature’s strong and unified commitment to coal-fired power and coal production.
Chris Hamilton
Senate Delivers 32–2 Vote on HB 4026
Under the leadership of Randy Smith, the Senate passed HB 4026 by a commanding 32–2 vote, sending a powerful signal that West Virginia intends to maintain and strengthen its coal-fired generation fleet.
The West Virginia First Energy Act reinforces in-state coal generation in utility planning, supports higher utilization of existing coal plants, and strengthens fuel security provisions to ensure reliable baseload power.
“A 32–2 vote speaks volumes,” Hamilton said. “That kind of overwhelming support shows that protecting coal-fired generation is not a fringe issue — it is mainstream policy in West Virginia.”
Hamilton added:
“The Senate recognized what every West Virginian understands: coal keeps our lights on, powers our industries, and supports thousands of families. HB 4026 ensures those plants remain viable and competitive for decades to come.”
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Coal Prices Jump. It’s Benefitting After the Strikes on Iran.
The conflict in Iran has upended the global market for oil and natural gas. It is also having a big impact on coal markets, even though coal isn’t in the direct line of fire.
Coal prices measured in the Rotterdam market were up about 13% on Monday to $119.50 per ton, a 52-week high. Coal stocks also rose, with Peabody Energy up 6.6% and Core Natural Resources up 6.3%.
Coal is benefiting precisely because it isn’t directly affected in this conflict—unlike the other resources it competes against. Coal and natural gas are substitutes in electricity generation. When natural-gas prices get too expensive or natural gas supplies are threatened, utilities often turn to coal instead.
Natural gas markets have been severely curtailed by the conflict in Iran. Qatar, which ships about 20% of global liquefied natural gas, or LNG, had to shut down production after facilities were attacked. And ships full of LNG are currently blocked from traversing the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway from the Persian Gulf that allows Middle Eastern exporters to get their products to Asia.
Both Asia and Europe rely heavily on Middle Eastern LNG supplies, but Asia is particularly dependent on them. Pakistan, for instance, gets nearly 100% of its LNG from Qatar, according to Rystad Energy. Bangladesh and India also get the majority of their LNG from the Middle East.
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WVCA Mining Symposium Program and WV Coal Hall of Fame Announced
PRELIMINARY SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
DAY 1, TUESDAY, MARCH 31ST
MORNING SESSION
Michael Day, CEO, Eagle Summit Resources
Rich Nolan, President, National Mining Association
James Justice, United States Senator
Kris Warner, WV Secretary of State
Mountaineer Guardian Award Luncheon
Frank Foster, Director, Office of Miners’ Health, Safety & Training
AFTERNOON SESSION
WV Legislative Update
Randy Smith, WV Senate President
Involvement with Rolling Thunder Mine Rescue Operation
Tucker Palmatier, Cave Diving Group of the National Speleological Society
Perspective on domestic and global coal markets for both thermal and met coal
Fran Taglia, President, Wier International
John Deskins, Director, WVU Bureau of Business & Economic Research
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner
2026Coal Hall of Fame Inductees:
Charles Bearse
President/CEO, Blackhawk Mining
Michael Day
CEO, Eagle Summit Resources
Robert Moore
President/CEO, American Consolidated Natural Resources
Gary Hartsog
President, Alpha Engineering Services
Keith Hainer
President, Matrix Design Group
Bill Reid
Founder, President & CEO, Coal News, Inc., (CoalZoom)
DAY 2, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST
MORNING SESSION
Haley Bunn, WV Supreme Court, Chief Justice
JB McCuskey, WV Attorney General
Lanny E. Erdos, Director, Office of Surface Mining
WV DEP Update Panel
Jonathan Rorrer, Director, WV Division of Mining & Reclamation
Environmental Excellence Awards Luncheon
Harold Ward, Cabinet Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection
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Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke Visit Montana Tech, Dig Into the Future of Critical Minerals in Montana
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke visited Montana Tech University in Butte, MT, to tour the Lance College of Mines and Engineering advanced mineral labs, receive a briefing on the latest engineering technology the school has developed, and host a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders on the Trump Administration’s commitment to bringing mining jobs back to Montana.
“President Trump and Secretary Burgum have been in lock step with the entire Montana delegation fighting for Montana mining jobs against corrupt foreign influence and manipulation,” said Congressman Zinke. “On behalf of the Governor, Senators and Montana miners I thank the administration for implementing a 132% tariff on Russian mineral imports which will bring good paying jobs back to Montana. In Montana, we know better than anyone that there’s appropriate places to mine and not, the men and women mining the Stillwater, Silver Bow and other Montana mines do it right. They use the highest technology, have a strong reclamation and safety plan, and they hire brilliant Montana Tech grads. We need to be doing more mining in Montana, not less."
"Montana stands at the forefront of America's mining future, and today's visit underlines the Trump administration, Congressman Zinke and the entire Montana delegation's commitment to restoring American Mineral Dominance and advancing a bold, pro-worker agenda across the West," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "After years of burdensome restrictions under the Biden administration, that locked up our energy and mineral supply and drove up costs, President Donald J. Trump has launched a decisive resurgence in American energy and mining that is making life more affordable for Montana families - beginning with unleashing our vast domestic resources. At Interior, we will continue working hand-in-hand with our partners in Western states to restore America’s mining legacy by cutting red tape, streamlining permitting and ensuring critical minerals are produced here at home."
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Coal Answers the Natural Gas Bottleneck
American manufacturers are facing an energy crisis. Despite the U.S. being the world’s largest natural gas producer, manufacturers are increasingly being cutoff from natural gas supplies during periods of peak winter and summer demand. The critical challenge is a lack of pipeline capacity to meet the competing needs of power generation, heating and manufacturing. And unfortunately, the situation is deteriorating.
The rapid addition of gas demand from power plants, data centers, crypto currency and booming LNG exports is mounting far faster than the ability to meet those competing needs with natural gas alone. For manufacturers, gas unavailability is shuttering operations for days at a time and making the addition of new facilities impossible.
The Wall Street Journal recently painted an alarming picture:
“As frigid weather swept over the mid-Atlantic region late last month, Evonik Industries’ plant in Havre de Grace, Md., received notice from its local utility: Shut off the gas or risk huge financial penalties.
Workers at the Evonik plant were dispatched to close the gas supply valve into the factory, where the German chemical maker produces silica for toothpaste and food products.
Without gas for its manufacturing process, the plant ceased production. Emergency heaters were fired up so equipment didn’t freeze. Workers were assigned maintenance tasks until the gas could flow again. The outage lasted seven days.”
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