West Virginia ‘Open for Business,’ Coal Leaders Say

Charleston Gazette, Nov. 11, 2004
by Ken Ward Jr.

The re-election of President Bush and the defeat of state Supreme Court Justice Warren McGraw signal good times ahead for coal operators, industry officials said Wednesday.

"Nov. 2 was a great day for the state of West Virginia," said Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association.

Speaking to a conference on national coal issues, Raney praised the "no-nonsense leadership of Don Blankenship" in defeating McGraw.

Blankenship, president of Massey Energy, has said he spent $3.5 million on his campaign to help Republican Brent Benjamin unseat McGraw for a 12-year term on the court.

Because Blankenship donated to third-party efforts to oust McGraw – and spent money directly – he could avoid any limits on his election spending.

…"Nov. 2 was a major change in the political landscape of West Virginia," Raney said. "We feel like we’re truly open for business in West Virginia."

Blankenship, who also spoke at the West Virginia University-sponsored seminar, said he would not apologize for his financial efforts on Benjamin’s behalf…"I’m proud of the fact that I spent $3.5 million to change the insurance costs for West Virginians," Blankenship said.

…Among labor leaders, environmentalists and regulators, Massey is known for opposing unions, violating pollution rules and unsafe work practices.

But at Wednesday’s WVU conference, industry and government officials praised Blankenship and his company.

Wednesday’s event at the Charleston Marriott was part of a series of "Energy Roadmap" workshops scheduled by WVU’s National Research Center for Coal and Energy.

Inside the meeting, Cindy Rank of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy wondered why WVU officials did not include a discussion of mining’s environmental damage.

"People have real grievances," Rank said. "They are losing their homes and losing the value of their property.

"I wonder if there is not a place for more discussion of those impacts, to develop a more balanced discussion," Rank said.