For Immediate Release
Contact:
Carol Raulston
(202) 463-2610
Luke Popovich
(202) 463-2620
The following statement was released today by National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn in response to formation of a bi-partisan coal caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives:
“On behalf of everyone in the coal community, I want to thank Reps. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tim Holden (D-Pa.), Dennis Rehberg (R-Mont.); John Salazar (D-Colo.) and John Shimkus (R-Ill.) for their leadership in establishing the House Coal Caucus. The National Mining Association (NMA) looks forward to working with them and their colleagues as they focus attention on the vital role coal plays in providing affordable energy and good jobs for America.
“With 240-years of supply, coal continues to be the backbone of our economy—providing half the nation’s electricity at prices that keep American businesses competitive in a global economy and help American households in these tough economic times.
“We share the caucus’ pride in the more than 130,000 people working today in U.S. coal mining. Not only are these good jobs that help support communities throughout the country, they are safe jobs—having achieved two consecutive record years in mine safety.
“Working together we can do more. New technologies, such as advanced clean coal and carbon capture and storage, diversified coal utilization and new safety and environmental initiatives underway throughout the coal community can help us usher in 21st Century mining in the U.S. NMA looks forward to working with the Housel Coal Caucus on the opportunities and challenges before us.”
