The Young West Virginians for Coal will organize across West Virginia to reach out to any West Virginian who supports a coal future.
"For decades, West Virginians have provided energy to the world. Coal is an affordable, reliable source of energy and provides important jobs to the people of West Virginia. Our elected leaders need to be held to account to support coal miners, their families, and their jobs. That's why we're here. Coal is just as important to our generation as any other," said Charlie Russell, president of the Young West Virginians for Coal.
Organizing among young professionals and on college campuses across West Virginia will, according to Russell, create a network to continue standing up for the backbone of West Virginia's economy - coal.
Ryan Cox, the leader of the effort on college campuses and a student at West Virginia University said, "As we move into the future, coal will continue to play a vital role for young West Virginians like me and we need to support the energy industry as they move to meeting the energy needs of the 21st century. Burning coal cleaner, supporting our miners and keeping them safe, and knowing that although we will change and adapt, coal can and should still play a critical role in meeting America's energy needs is the backbone of what we're all about."
In 2008, West Virginians produced $6.7 billion worth of coal. The coal industry employees nearly 40,000 West Virginians.
"When I was growing up in Boone County, my grandpa, a union coal miner, used to tell me stories of working on the tipple in a coal mine. Coal means so much to our great state and our miners represent all that is good about West Virginia - hardworking, loyal, faithful, and dedicated. It's the jobs we're standing up for and for West Virginia's future," said Jason Parsons, chairman of the Board of Directors.
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