Jim & colleagues

I agree. The “Obama’s the problem” has no basis of fact, as the proposed added environmental regulations to control power plant GHG emissions are still in the proposal phase and have had no impact...yet!

Gas is a more competitive fuel to generate power...pure and simple.

The point I have been harping upon in my letters and op-eds is that the real cost of coal when health and environmental costs are added is what is leading jurisdictions all around the world to transition away from coal.

There’s one I wrote but have not “published” yet, just circulated to friends. which I will forward separately, which was precipitated by an article on the growth of solar industry.

What do you think of that approach?

Allan

From: James Kotcon

Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2015 8:10 AM

To: Bill Price ; David W. Sturm ; Liz Wiles ; Mark Kresowik ; David Muhly ; Bridget Lee ; Seth Long ; Sean Sarah ; DanielChiotos

Cc: WV Chapter Energy Committee

Subject: [EC] Coal mines closing

Murray Energy and Alpha announce over 1600 mining job layoffs in West Virginia. The story highlights the blaming:

"Murray Energy cited “the vastly increased use of natural gas in the Ohio Valley to generate electricity,” the “ongoing destruction of the United States coal industry by President Barack Obama,” and — for the West Virginia workforce cuts — the state’s “excessive coal severance tax.”

But Murray's move comes two months after he invested $1.4 billion to buy Illinois coal reserves. So while he is investing in the competition, he blames Obama and WV's excessive coal severance taxes. The WV Legislature (under new Republican leadership) is currently reviewing our tax structure, and many legislators seem likely to buy into Murray's blaming of Obama and severance taxes, without considering Murray's efforts to shift resources from West Virginia to Illinois.

I think we need to highlight this in a response as soon as possible. The two major issues that the Legislature is studying are taxes and roads. A recent roads report suggested several ways to raise money for road repairs, but does not appear to address overweight trucks, or fuel taxes. I think an OP/ED connecting the two issues with the Murray efforts to drain ever more resources from our states to competitors might be well received.

Whaddya Tink?

Full story is at:

http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20150522/GZ01/150529712

Jim Kotcon

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