McKinley Addresses WV Mining Symposium

Chairman of the Congressional CoalCaucus David B. McKinley, P.E. (WV-1) addressed the West Virginia Coal Association's Annual Mining Symposium with a pre-recorded video. Congressman McKinley is currently on a delegation to India to meet with senior government officials to strengthen trade relations and promote West Virginia coal.

Congressman McKinley's remarks can be read below.

"I'm sorry I am unable to join you today. As Chairman of the Congressional Coal Caucus, I am back in India meeting with Prime Minister Modi and other senior officials and discussing their economic partnership with West Virginia.

"Fortunately, coal is still part of India's future. They have a voracious appetite for it. Were you aware India is the third largest market for West Virginia coal? We export more coal to India than any other state. So why am I focusing on coal exports?

"Because in the near-term increasing coal exports will have the quickest benefit to our industry. But we'll need long-term solutions as well. These long-term initiatives should ensure a strong market for thermal coal. This can be done by rolling back the regulatory barriers; incentivizing the construction of new efficient power plants; ramping up research on clean coal technologies; and harvesting rare earths found in selected West Virginia coal seams.

"Thankfully we now have an Administration in the White House with whom we can work.

"Remember, other than the coal state of Wyoming, West Virginia voters gave Trump his largest margin of victory. He spoke our language unlike Hillary and her supporters who pledged to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business.

"And now President Trump has begun an ambitious program to reverse the damage of the past 8 years. Recently, I spoke with President Trump and reminded him that West Virginia miners are counting on him. He looked me in the eye and told me he is ready to deliver.

"Vice President Pence gave me the same assurance when we met last week. Already, we're starting to see results. Last week I was at the White House as the President signed legislation overturning the stream protection rule. That rule would have decimated underground coal mining all across America.

"Their quick action was a down payment on this commitment to stop the hemorrhaging the coal industry has experienced. I am confident we will see more action in the coming months.

"Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today and thank you to the West Virginia Coal Association for your resilience throughout 8 years of a relentless war on coal.

"It's an honor to be a voice for coal in Washington."

Source