On Oct. 5, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) made a statement at the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee’s Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee in Logan. He focused on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) harmful regulations and how they’ve affected West Virginia’s economy. Manchin also stressed the importance of passing the Miner’s Protection Act as soon as possible in order to secure health care and retirement security for thousands of West Virginian families.
Manchin said, in part: “The coal economy of our state has been devastated. Cheap natural gas prices compounded by a regulatory onslaught from the EPA – an agency that has overstepped its authority time and time again – have put coal production in a downward spiral. We continue to experience persistently high unemployment rates. In this county and the surrounding area – traditionally our largest coal-producing region – we are consistently posting unemployment numbers in the double digits. As we look to diversify our economy, to find our workers new skills and opportunities, to attract investment in the state and to create good middle-class jobs, we must also continue to fight the EPA’s agenda to ensure that clean coal energy has a role in the nation’s and the world’s energy future.”
It’s no secret to any of us that West Virginia is facing severe economic challenges. The coal economy of our state has been devastated. Cheap natural gas prices compounded by a regulatory onslaught by the EPA – an agency that overstepped its authority time and time again – have put coal production in a downward spiral. We continue to experience persistently high unemployment rates. In this county and the surrounding area – traditionally our largest coal-producing region – we are consistently posting unemployment numbers in the double digits. Some of our southern counties are posting unemployment rates more than double the national average. For the month of August, Workforce West Virginia reported that, here in Logan County, the unemployment remains at about 10 percent.
• Mingo County 11.7 percent
• Clay County 9.1 percent
• Wyoming County 9.4 percent
• Boone County 8.4 percent
• McDowell County 12.9 percent
Since 2008, West Virginia has lost 13,000 coal jobs. The Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) reports that, in 2008, there were 2,129 coal mines and prep plants. In 2015, that number was 1,459. That’s a loss of 670. Countless companies have declared bankruptcy. And, “Workforce West Virginia” reports that between July 2015 and July 2016, WV lost 4,800 mining and logging jobs, 700 manufacturing jobs, and 1,700 in trade, transportation and utility jobs. The ripple effect of the near total loss of our state’s biggest energy industry is affecting the daily quality of West Virginian lives – whether it be fewer and fewer grocery stores, childcare options or health care services,” he said.
“West Virginia has helped powered the nation for decades. As we look to diversify our economy, to find our workers new skills and opportunities, to attract investment in the state and to create good middle-class jobs, we must also continue to fight the EPA’s agenda to ensure that clean coal energy has a role in the nation and the world’s energy future.”
