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-s...
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.
We're doomed.
-----Original Message----- From: ec-bounces@osenergy.org [mailto:ec-bounces@osenergy.org] On Behalf Of James Kotcon Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 6:04 PM To: HittMary Anne; ec@osenergy.org; Mark Kresowik Subject: [EC] Fwd: Coal association says image campaign working in W.Va
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-s...
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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Saw my first WV Friends of Coal license plate recently. Weirdly but appropriately, it's black.
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-s...
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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