Virginia Friends of Coal
Friends of Coal is based on the simple premise that our state and country are full of people who understand and appreciate the value and the importance of the coal industry to the country and its people. It is a grass roots movement involving thousands of Americans and thousands of Virginians who consider coal to be of great importance to the economy of the country and the state.
These people have always been around. But they have never before been organized into a cohesive force capable of demonstrating just how many Virginians are directly and indirectly involved with the coal industry. Friends of Coal was also born out of a desire to correct the false impression that coal's time has passed in the United States and in Virginia.
In the 124 year history of the state's coal industry, something like 2.5 billion tons of coal have been extracted from the 7 counties which have coal reserves while mining up to over 40 million tons per year. The state's remaining mineable reserves could be as much as 27.7 billion. Of this resource, approximately 15.2 billion tons are unrestricted by land-use (or multiple-seam interaction if underground), less than 2% sulfur, less than 25% ash, greater than 12 inches thick if surface, and greater than 30 inches thick if underground. These "available" resources are split into 11.2 billion tons of underground resources and 4.0 billion tons of surface resources. (www.energy.vt.edu– Va. Energy Pattern & Trends)
Coal still supplies more than 50% of this country's growing electrical power demand, and Virginia is the nation's 10th largest coal producer. But even with the best coal miners in the world, with some of the best coal in the world and with a growing demand for energy, Virginia's coal industry is still plagued by challenging geological conditions and the uncertainties of the shifting marketplace.
As the industry streamlines and adapts to meet these challenges, it is increasingly important that the Friends of Coal unite to speak with one voice. It's up to Friends to clearly demonstrate that coal must be a major consideration in the establishment of public policy in the state and in the nation.
For more information, visit the Friends of Coal website at www.friendsofcoal.org or the Friends of Coal section on the Virginia Mining Associations website at virginiaminingassoc.com
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Friends of Coal feels Virginians understand and appreciate the importance of coal in our lives. Though coal reserves are isolated in only seven counties coal production plays a major role in the whole economy of Virginia and it is the lifeblood of Southwest Virginia’s economy. We encourage you to join thousands of others in our proactive cause. Become a collective voice to be heard. Multiply our efforts by recruiting family members, friends and neighbors. Together we can help Virginia and our area grow, providing jobs which keep our young people home.
STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY HOLD COMPANY MEMBERSHIP DRIVES
· As a company owner/manager, etc., if not already a member, be the example by joining first. · Memberships are free of charge.
· Using meeting(s), emails, memos, signs, etc., announce a membership drive.
Stress the obvious about the importance of Coal to the company, employees and the public.
· Provide membership forms; ask that they be filled out legibly, with email address if available. Feel free to make copies.
· Encourage employees to join and ask them to recruit family members, friends, neighbors and vendors. An employee, spouse and 2 children, represents 4 members.
· Set goals.
· Announce drive dates, perhaps 2 weeks in advance.
· Have results to be turned into a company official, owner or manager for accountability.
· Where it may apply have divisions, i.e.
· Employee who signs up the most
· Department head, whose employees sign up the most
· Offer recognition for best results.
· Friends of Coal can provide promotional items such as stickers for hardhats, windows, and autos, and caps.
· Encourage new employees to sign up as members
Mail results, or call to be picked up.
Friends of Coal
C/O Virginia Mining Association
18 Seventh St., Suite 206
Norton, VA 24273
(276) 679-4211
virginiaminingassoc.com
|
|