On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 6:04 PM, James Kotcon
<jkotcon@wvu.edu> wrote:
I don't have direct data to compare with the polling discussed below,
but my gut feeling is that it is probably a pretty accurate description
of the 10-year trend here in WV.
Jim Kotcon
http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x803555653/Coal-association-says-image-campaign-working-in-W-Va
The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia
September 15, 2011
Coal association says image campaign working in W.Va.
By Bill Archer
For The Register-Herald
BRUSHFORK — The coal industry in West Virginia is doing a better job
of telling its story to the public, and Gary White, chairman of the
board of the West Virginia Coal Association, has the data to back it
up.
White, 61, of Logan, who served as the Media Appreciation Breakfast
speaker at the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce’s biennial
Bluefield Coal Show, was appointed president of International Resources
LLC in April. He said that in 2000, the coal industry was “faced with
a negative image” and “after much conversation” the coal
association decided to move forward to change that image.
According to White, the association assessed a “per ton fee” to its
membership and hired the Charleston-based public relations firm of
Charles Ryan & Associates. After that, White said the association had
serious discussions on the topic of making a concentrated effort “to
move the needle” on the gauge of public opinion.
In 2001, White said Ryan & Associates conducted a baseline poll to
determine the public’s perception of the coal industry and found that
only 45 percent of the 600 residents polled had a favorable opinion of
the coal industry.
>From 2001 until 2008, the coal industry’s “level of support” had
climbed to 61 percent, with an additional question concerning level of
trust that also received a 61 percent favorable response.
White said the coal association decided to undertake another study this
year to determine its 10-year position. R.L. Repass & Associates Inc.
recently conducted the study and determined that the state’s favorable
opinion of the coal industry has grown to 74 percent.
In addition to the favorable ranking, White told the audience that the
coal industry received an 82 percent favorable level of trust response.
He added that 82 percent of the residents surveyed believe the coal
industry is doing a better job in terms of its commitment to the
environment and said that 92 percent of the people surveyed believe
there can be a balance between coal mining and environmental
regulations.
When the coal association started examining its strengths, White said
that Warren Hylton said the association had an army to help us.
“Warren came up with the idea for the Friends of Coal,” White
said.
He noted that the Friends of Coal Bowl between West Virginia and
Marshall universities continues to serve as a centerpiece of that
organization. White added that the Kentucky Coal Association is doing
something similar with their University of Kentucky versus Louisville
in-state rivalry game.
In addition to the Friends of Coal Bowl, White said the highly
successful Friends of Coal Auto Show in Beckley that draws 30,000 people
annually is also an outgrowth of Hylton’s idea, and added that West
Virginia now has 1,000 Friends of Coal license plates.
“We got a later start than our friends in Kentucky on the license
plates,” White said. “They already have 43,000 Friends of Coal
license plates in Kentucky. When people see that, it makes a
difference.”
Along with Friends of Coal, White said that Arch Coal’s CEDAR (Coal
Education Development And Resource) program, as well as FACES
(Federation for American Coal Energy and Security) of Coal, makes its
presence known at public hearings. He also said organizations like Coal
Mining Our Future in Kentucky, and other initiatives including meeting
with local clergy, are making a difference.
He characterized the Environmental Protection Agency as “the most
egregious agency in the (Obama) administration” and urged the people
attending the coal show to keep working to promote better understanding
of the coal industry.
“We can’t just rest on the successes we’ve had in West
Virginia,” White said as he toured the 237 exhibitors participating
in the coal show. “I think we’ve helped the average person connect
the dots. We’ve helped people understand where their energy comes
from.”
He said that all of the initiatives are making a difference.
“We are moving the needle of public opinion in favor of the coal
industry,” he said.
Following the breakfast, the scene shifted to the National Guard
Armory/Civic Center for the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for the coal
show.
“We’re doing some positive things in the coal industry,” Bill
Reid said as White cut the ribbon to open the three-day event.
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