WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia, the largest producer of metallurgical coal in the nation, is set to benefit from a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that expands a tax credit to include “met” coal production and usage as a “critical mineral” used in advanced manufacturing.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “The inclusion of metallurgical coal as a critical mineral for advanced manufacturing within the Presidents tax bill is a game changer for West Virginia and the tens of thousands of met miners and mine support jobs throughout our state. We applaud Congress for including this provision in the bill and President Trump for his unwavering push for a rational, domestic energy policy that values coal.”
“Without the met coal our miners produce right here in West Virginia our country would be forced to import this critical ingredient for making the steel that builds, defends, and supports America.”
Hamilton emphasized that West Virginia is the nation’s leading met coal producer, accounting for 55% of all the coking coal mined in the United States. West Virginia met coal is relied upon for nearly 65% of coking coal used in domestic steel production in the United States. According to state Commerce officials, metallurgical coal is also West Virginia’s leading state export commodity which is delivered to over 45 destinations around the globe. West Virginia accounts for 60% of all U.S. export metallurgical coal.
According to Dr. John Deskins, the states leading economist, West Virginia’s met coal benefits go far beyond the coal industry by helping to sustain over 5oo,ooo steel related jobs across the U.S.
Hamilton said this comes in the nick of time as met coal production faces unprecedented challenges with China dumping excessive amounts of cheap steel across Europe and trade wars intensifying throughout the free world.
