pls spread this around...

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Public News Service <wvns@newsservice.org>
Date: Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 4:07 AM
Subject: WVNS story: "Coal Bust" Projected for Southern WV
To: PaulWilson <pjgrunt@gmail.com>

"Coal Bust" Projected for Southern WV
Dan Heyman, Public News Service-WV
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/27169-1
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(06/27/12) CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Federal figures forecast a decline in the production of West Virginia coal headed to power plants - a decline expected to hit the state's southern counties especially hard.

The U.S. Department of Energy predicts much less West Virginia coal will be burned to make electricity during the next decade, according to Ted Boettner, executive director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. He says that's going to hit some parts of the state harder than others.

"Beginning to see a huge bust in coal production in southern West Virginia, which could see production cut by two-thirds over the next 10 years."

Boettner says the state's leadership needs to face reality - and that southern West Virginia particularly must do more to diversify.

"No matter what your views are on what's happening, today the reality is that we've got to start making plans for how West Virginia's going to create jobs and build a strong economy for our children and grandchildren."

The number of mining jobs actually has increased some during the past few years. Boettner says the next decade's employment picture is complicated, as some mines are likely to continue to hire.

"In the northern part of West Virginia, we're actually going to see a slight increase in coal production. That's the same area where we're seeing a boom in natural gas. So, we're really seeing two states, unfolding in different ways."

He believes West Virginia should start putting money aside in a mineral trust fund to prepare for the future.

"Local and state economies cannot rely indefinitely on finite natural resources for jobs and tax revenues. That's why it's so important for the state to consider creating a permanent trust fund."

The coal industry has sharply attacked the Environmental Protection Agency for toughening air pollution rules. But Boettner says much of the expected decline will be the result of competition from cheap natural gas and the fact that the coal that's easiest to get has been mined out.

More information is online at blog.wvpolicy.org.

Click here to view this story on the Public News Service RSS site and access an audio version of this and other stories: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/27169-1

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Paul Wilson
Sierra Club
504 Jefferson Ave
Charles Town, WV 25414-1130
Phone: 304-725-4360
Cell: 304-279-1361

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