• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Candidate Profile
Lootpress
  • News
    • All
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

    118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

    Capito Tours CityNet to Discuss Broadband Operations, Deployment

    Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

    Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

    Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

    Fayette County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

    Ahead of July 4th Celebrations, GHSP Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

    DMV Driver Test Site in Fairmont Moving to New Middletown Commons Location

    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

      Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

      Senatore Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV)

      Ranking Member Capito Statement on Supreme Court Decision on West Virginia v. EPA

      W.Va. AG says EPA Supreme Court Ruling is a Great Win for West Virginia, Nation

      Supreme Court limits EPA in curbing power plant emissions

      Biden says he supports changing Senate filibuster rules to protect abortion rights

      Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

      Buttigieg launches $1B pilot to build racial equity in roads

      Instagram and Facebook remove posts offering abortion pills

      Jackson to be sworn in as Breyer retires from Supreme Court

    • Politics

      Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

      Senatore Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV)

      Ranking Member Capito Statement on Supreme Court Decision on West Virginia v. EPA

      Mullens Municipal election results certified following recount

      Biden pitches Democrats on Biden for president in 2024

      Biden says he supports changing Senate filibuster rules to protect abortion rights

      Jackson to be sworn in as Breyer retires from Supreme Court

      Most say nation on wrong track, including Dems: AP-NORC poll

      Justices limit 2020 ruling on tribal lands in Oklahoma

      McConnell vows to be ‘picky’ with Biden nominees if GOP wins Senate

    • State

      118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

      Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

      Ahead of July 4th Celebrations, GHSP Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

      DMV Driver Test Site in Fairmont Moving to New Middletown Commons Location

      Capito, Manchin Announce Funding for Workers Harmed by Foreign Trade

      West Virginia American Water Files 2023 Infrastructure Replacement Plan and Distribution System Improvement Charge

      Gov. Justice orders all U.S. and State flags to be flown at half-staff immediately and through July 4 in honor of Woody Williams

      Gov. Justice debuts Capitol Circle as newest route of West Virginia’s Mountain Rides program

      UPDATE: Missing man found dead

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Boone County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Summers County
    • Tazewell County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Miners Baseball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
    • Scenic Route Podcasts
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Featured
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Local
    • National
    • North Carolina News
    • Politics
    • State
    • Top Stories
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News

    Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

    118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

    Capito Tours CityNet to Discuss Broadband Operations, Deployment

    Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

    Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

    Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

    Fayette County Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

    Ahead of July 4th Celebrations, GHSP Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

    DMV Driver Test Site in Fairmont Moving to New Middletown Commons Location

    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National

      Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

      Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

      Senatore Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV)

      Ranking Member Capito Statement on Supreme Court Decision on West Virginia v. EPA

      W.Va. AG says EPA Supreme Court Ruling is a Great Win for West Virginia, Nation

      Supreme Court limits EPA in curbing power plant emissions

      Biden says he supports changing Senate filibuster rules to protect abortion rights

      Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

      Buttigieg launches $1B pilot to build racial equity in roads

      Instagram and Facebook remove posts offering abortion pills

      Jackson to be sworn in as Breyer retires from Supreme Court

    • Politics

      Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court

      Senatore Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV)

      Ranking Member Capito Statement on Supreme Court Decision on West Virginia v. EPA

      Mullens Municipal election results certified following recount

      Biden pitches Democrats on Biden for president in 2024

      Biden says he supports changing Senate filibuster rules to protect abortion rights

      Jackson to be sworn in as Breyer retires from Supreme Court

      Most say nation on wrong track, including Dems: AP-NORC poll

      Justices limit 2020 ruling on tribal lands in Oklahoma

      McConnell vows to be ‘picky’ with Biden nominees if GOP wins Senate

    • State

      118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

      Gov. Justice announces Woody Williams as first inductee into the new West Virginia Military Hall of Fame

      Ahead of July 4th Celebrations, GHSP Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

      DMV Driver Test Site in Fairmont Moving to New Middletown Commons Location

      Capito, Manchin Announce Funding for Workers Harmed by Foreign Trade

      West Virginia American Water Files 2023 Infrastructure Replacement Plan and Distribution System Improvement Charge

      Gov. Justice orders all U.S. and State flags to be flown at half-staff immediately and through July 4 in honor of Woody Williams

      Gov. Justice debuts Capitol Circle as newest route of West Virginia’s Mountain Rides program

      UPDATE: Missing man found dead

    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Boone County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Summers County
    • Tazewell County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Miners Baseball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
    • Scenic Route Podcasts
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Lootpress
No Result
View All Result

West Virginia Coal – Back To The Future

Tyler Barker by Tyler Barker
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 1:56 pm
0

The recent announcement that Mylan, now Viatris, will shutter their Morgantown manufacturing facility and eliminate 1,500 jobs in the process leaves us all with an inexplicable empty feeling and sense of hopelessness. It serves as a brutal realization that longstanding state businesses can be ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ due to factors not abundantly clear to us.

If State leadership had advance warning or insight into the reasons for Viatris’ decision, could they have convinced them to continue operations?  While it appears not, this decision serves as a wakeup call.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Similarly, as we work to diversify our economy and recruit new industries to locate in West Virginia, we must be cognizant of the whims of the marketplace and its impact on new business ventures. Do these prospective ventures have the staying power to ride out a market downturn or the enticement of a merger or, more generally, the lure of greener pastures somewhere else?

I recognize that Governor Justice, the Department of Commerce, and local economic development professionals have had many recent successes and work extremely hard to grow West Virginia’s economy.  That same level of diligence must also extend to doing everything imaginable to preserve and retain existing state businesses.

Governor Justice and our legislative leaders have done a great deal for the coal industry in recent years. However, we have also seen a growing sentiment within our state to attract new, “high tech” businesses to come here while not doing everything imaginable to preserve coal, coal mining and coal-based electric manufacturing.

Coal industry employment in West Virginia currently surpasses the soon-to-close Viatris facility by a factor of ten.  Our eight coal-fired electric “manufacturing” facilities employ thousands and contribute billions to the state economy.

Even in its current reduced profile, coal and coal-based electric manufacturing facilities account for thirteen percent of our states’ total economic output.  This equates to a whopping one in every six dollars generated within our state. This is substantial and is much too important to take for granted.

We must do everything imaginable to preserve this gigantic economic enterprise.

In many ways, the coal industry finds itself “Back To The Future”.  This industry helped build our state and country over the past 150-plus years and through modernization and the implementation of the latest innovative technologies we continue to play a significant role today.

Coal mining and coal-based electric manufacturing facilities are state-of-the-art operations that have been transformed by the same technological forces that are changing our daily lives. Although we combat the perception daily, the fact is that today’s coal industry is a futuristic workplace. The women and men who design the mines, operate the machinery, manage the power plants, and facilitate the transmission of electricity onto the power grid are among the most technically trained professionals of any industry.

These individuals, tens of thousands strong, live in most every community across the state. They might be your neighbor, little league coach, or even your pastor. Their children make up a large segment of our public schools and state universities and their spouses may be a teacher, medical professional, or Sunday school teacher.

The mining industry faces many challenges. Natural gas continues to grow as a source fuel for electric generation, replacing coal in many states that heretofore received shipments of West Virginia coal.  While we are adapting to market conditions and continue to innovate, the shifting sands of public policy on the national level pose a far greater threat.

President-Elect Biden’s campaign rhetoric and current choices to lead key federal environmental and regulatory posts signal stormy seas ahead for fossil fuel-based industries. We need the ongoing and continued support of state leaders and the public if we hope to push back against such extreme policies and remain viable and productive.

For the record, the coal industry fully embraces new and innovative businesses coming into our state and we welcome diversification. We recognize renewable energy has a role to play. However, we do not believe we should trade one energy job for another, particularly if the replacement model is unreliable, costs more for consumers, and compensates workers less.

There is no question, we must diversify our economy.  We must also do what is necessary to keep our coal industry as vibrant as it can be in today’s marketplace.

The coal workforce, whether they mine coal, generate electricity, or provide the services and goods necessary to support the industry, is critical to our tax base, communities, and economy.

The coal industry has supported West Virginia and its citizens since before we were a State, and with your help, we plan to be a vibrant part of our future.

ShareTweetSend
Tyler Barker

Tyler Barker

Don't Miss

Editorials

Investments in Local Food Vital to Fending off Food Shortages

3 days ago
Editorials

Russian Aggression Reminds Us of Need for Technological Edge

1 week ago
Editorials

OP ED: Red Flag Laws Don’t Work

1 week ago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top Stories This Week

  • Blueberry Hill announces summer schedule

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • More than Movies: Oak Hill’s Starlight Drive-In Brings the Past to the Present

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two arrested after sexually abusing child and grooming her to become a surrogate mother

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rudy Giuliani was slapped inside supermarket

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • UPDATE: Victim’s identified in deadly plane crash in Logan County, WV

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent News

Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

July 1, 2022

118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

July 1, 2022

Capito Tours CityNet to Discuss Broadband Operations, Deployment

July 1, 2022

Lootpress brings you the latest news in Southern West Virginia and around.

Follow Us

Recent News

Arkansas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Crime

July 1, 2022

118 Free Smoke Alarms Installed in 60 Huntington Homes

July 1, 2022
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Candidate Profile

© 2021 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Breaking
    • Crime
    • Local
    • National
    • Politics
    • State
    • Virginia News
    • Weather News
  • County News
    • Boone County
    • Greenbrier County
    • Fayette County
    • Kanawha County
    • Logan County
    • McDowell County
    • Mercer County
    • Mingo County
    • Monroe County
    • Nicholas County
    • Putnam County
    • Raleigh County
    • Summers County
    • Tazewell County
    • Wyoming County
  • Sports
    • 2021 Prep Football Tab
    • 2021 Prep Football Playoffs
    • Local Sports
    • College Sports
    • Boys Basketball
    • Girls Basketball
    • Miners Baseball
    • Prep Baseball
    • Prep Softball
    • Prep Football
    • Prep Soccer
    • Prep Track and Field
    • Prep Volleyball
    • Golf
    • WVU Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Visit Southern WV Tourism
    • Scenic Route Podcasts
  • Editorials
  • About Us
    • Contact Us

© 2021 Lootpress - Your News, Now! Lootpress.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist