Noon to 4 p.m., October 8, 2015
Grand Pointe Conference Center, Vienna, W.Va.
(No cost to attend; registration required)
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WV Business Leaders Denounce EPA Emission Rules
Requests Gov. Tomblin to reject Clean Power Plan
CHARLESTON, WV – The Obama Administration’s announced adoption today of a revised and even more stringent Clean Power Plan will further speed the erosion of West Virginia’s economy and lead to higher electric bills for state consumers and businesses, representatives of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council announced today.
“I equate the Clean Power Plan to a runaway train, wrecking everything in its path, to include our state’s fragile economy,” said Chris Hamilton, chairman of the West Virginia Business & Industry Council.
“In West Virginia, we’ve already seen the closure or announced closure of multiple coal-fired power plants and the hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs these facilities employ. This doesn’t account for the many coal mining jobs that will be lost due to the decreased use of coal to create low-cost electricity,” Hamilton said.
Studies project that typical household electric bills will be one-third higher in 2020 compared to 2012 under this scheme. More than 40 states will face double-digit increases in the cost of electricity. About half of all American households pay close to 20 percent of disposable income on energy-related expenses.
“The West Virginia Business & Industry Council requests Governor Tomblin to reject the Clean Power Plan and continue working to protect West Virginia consumers, and our economy, from this regulatory power-grab,” Hamilton said.
The West Virginia Business & Industry Council is comprised of more than 60 West Virginia trade associations and businesses representing more than 395,000 employees across the state.
For additional information, contact Chris Hamilton at (304) 342-4153.
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Business & Industry Council hears reports on key issues facing the state
Posted: Friday, July 24, 2015 4:15 am
By BILL ARCHER Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD — After a lunch break following the West Virginia Coal Forum, the West Virginia Business and Industry Council took center stage for a discussion on key issues facing the state. Chris Hamilton, chair of the BIC, served as coordinator for the event
Senate President Bill Cole R-Mercer and Speaker of the House Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, provided an overview about the 2015 session as well as a look ahead to the 2016 session.
“Their presentations were a little more concise than the ones they made for the Coal Forum, but they were both interesting and informative,” Marc Meachum, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce said. The chamber co-sponsored the event with the BIC.
In addition to the presentations by Cole and Armstead, Larry Malone, director of policy for the Governor’s Office as well as Kathy D’Antoni, of the state Department of Education made presentations.
“Kathy and Larry tag-teamed their presentations on work force development and education reform,” Meachum said. “They focused on how the two work together.”
Meachum said that Danielle Swann of Jackson Kelly made a presentation on right to work. “She referred to it as ‘workforce freedom,’” Meachum said.
The session came to a close with a vigorous panel discussion led by to leaders in the state house of delegates, Delegate John H. Shott, R-Mercer who chairs the powerful House Judiciary Committee and Delegate Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, who chairs the Health and Human Resources Committee. Frank Brady moderated the panel discussion.
“I do see a decrease in what you call ‘doctor shopping.’” Ellington said, responding to a question. “I would say that yes, there has been some improvement in that area.” He said that if a patient complains of pain, and returns nine months later with the same complaint, he would likely write the patient another prescription. However, he said that if the patient came back the next month, I might look at that more closely.”
Janet Bailey, executive director of the Economic Development Authority of Mercer County asked about the possibility of providing county government with more funds through a prepared meals tax.
“There are not many ways counties can raise money,” Ellington said. “I’m for giving counties more control.”
Shott said that he had presented prepared food tax bills at least twice before. “We didn’t get any support for it,” he said. “It was a local option bill with funds split between the county and municipalities. I don’t like being the Lone Ranger on a bill.”
Bridget Lambert, president of the West Virginia Retailers Association asked the legislators how they are doing with broadband.
Shott said the area is deficient in that area, but pointed out that the area missed out on an opportunity to connect with a broadband access portal that travels along U.S. Route 460.
The legislators discussed infrastructure needs including a need for commercial air service as well as completion of a portion of the Coalfields Expressway from the so called “Bridge to Nowhere” to the Mercer County Airport.
“It was a production meeting,” Meachum said.
— Contact Bill Archer at