HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 60
(By Delegates Kominar, Craig, White and Caputo)
Recognizing the importance of the coal mining industry in West
Virginia and requesting West Virginia's congressional
delegation to support the coal industry.
Whereas, The Legislature works tirelessly to improve the
quality of life for the citizens of the mountain state; and
Whereas, Coal mining has been, and continues to be, one of the
primary industries responsible for the economic success of West
Virginia and its citizens; and
Whereas, Before the national economic downturn, severance tax
collections from coal were at record levels contributing to a
budget surplus at the state and county levels; and
Whereas, All fifty-five counties continue to receive a local
share of coal severance dollars to support county, local and
municipal budgets; and
Whereas, County governments and county school systems
throughout the state rely on the taxes from coal companies and coal
miners to fund many valuable programs, including public education,
ambulance services and law enforcement; and
Whereas, Thousands of West Virginians are employed, either directly or indirectly, by the coal mining industry which generates
payrolls totaling over $2 billion; and
Whereas, The loss of any of West Virginia's coal mines and the
loss of any mining related employment ultimately results in
significant harm to all West Virginians; and
Whereas, Surface coal mining, including the practice of
mountaintop removal, currently represents forty-two percent of the
total coal production in West Virginia; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 375 provides for master land use plans to
be developed in all counties where surface mining takes place with
greater focus provided by the Coalfield Economic Development Office
on renewable and alternative fuel sources, highways and
residential; and
Whereas, Actions and inactions by federal regulatory agencies
which have had the effect of closing surface coal mines are more
frequent and result in the loss of hundreds of mining and other
jobs in West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby recognizes the importance of the
coal mining industry in West Virginia and requests West Virginia's
congressional delegation to support the coal industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature supports the continued
mining of coal in West Virginia, including surface mining by all
methods recognized by state and federal law, and is prepared to
cooperate with all federal agencies in an effort to resolve quickly
any outstanding issues which are preventing the mining of coal and
which are contributing to the loss of jobs in West Virginia; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature requests West
Virginia's congressional delegation to make every effort possible
to assist in securing the needed cooperation from federal agencies
to allow the continuation of the mining of coal and to protect the
jobs of coal miners and others who derive their employment from the
coal industry; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to the West Virginia
Coal Association.
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