HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 51
(By Delegate Kominar, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Thompson, and Delegates
Andes, Argento, Armstead, Ashley, Barker, Beach, Boggs, Border,
Butcher, Campbell, Cann, Caputo, Carmichael, Craig, Crosier,
Duke, Eldridge, Ellem, Ennis, Evans, Ferro, Frazier, Givens,
Guthrie, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Iaquinta, Ireland, Klempa,
Lane, Longstreth, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Marshall, Martin,
McGeehan, Michael, Miley, C. Miller, J. Miller, Moore, Morgan,
Moye, Overington, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Phillips, D.
Poling, M. Poling, Porter, Rodighiero, Romine, Ross, Rowan,
Schadler, Schoen, Shaver, Shott, Skaff, Sobonya, Staggers,
Stowers, Sumner, Susman, Varner, Walker, Walters, Webster, White
and Williams)
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 55 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, 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 House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates 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 House of Delegates 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 House of Delegates 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 copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Coal
Association and West Virginia's congressional delegation.