CHIEF LOGAN STATE PARK — Logan County Commission President Art Kirkendoll is hoping to pack the Earl Ray Tomblin Convention Center with people from all across the coalfield region tomorrow at the economic forum which is focusing on the importance of coal.

The Regional Economic Forum will discuss the current permitting system for coal mines in West Virginia and throughout Appalachia that is thwarting investments and jeopardizing jobs and economic opportunity in communities across the region,” a press release from the Logan County Commission said. “The links between coal production, economic growth, prosperity and energy security are unbreakable. Coal is the main source of energy throughout the world, (and it) provides half the electricity used in the United States and as much as 98 percent of the electricity generated in the region.

“Coal mining is responsible for more than 90,000 jobs in West Virginia along; coal mining jobs pay 100 percent higher wages than the average wage in the state and generates nearly $15 billion in economic output in the state. Coal mining in West Virginia is balancing the economic needs and environmental expectations of its citizens.”

The forum begins at 9 a.m. at the convention center in Chief Logan State Park, just off U.S. Route 119. It’s scheduled to run until noon.

Kirkendoll said the purpose of the meeting is to stress to our elected officials just how important getting permits to mine coal is to the people of the southern coal-producing counties.

“The coal forum is probably more important for people who do not work in the coalfields than for the people who do work in the coalfields,” Kirkendoll said. “All the time we’re challenged in our ability to mine coal, you have the coal companies and the employees and some elected officials — but not enough — stand up and try to keep us working.

“But, now, it’s come to the point that I think our elected officials are going to have to see that everybody is concerned, everybody has a voice that they want these guys to hear. They’re saying ‘Look, with these mines not able to operate and provide quality energy at a decent price for us, it hurts us that way, but I work at a business and I might get laid off.’ I think the uncertainty of how long people can keep their employees is really a scary thing.”

Kirkendoll said he hopes West Virginia’s representatives get the message he hopes the coal forum will send.

“We’ve got to send a strong message to all our congressional people to stand up for us now and convince their colleagues that mining coal is the right thing to do and it’s an important thing to do that keeps our country safe,” Kirkendoll said. “We don’t want a handout, we just want a work permit. There’s a huge difference.

“I think the people who are worried about having a job and raising their family, educating them and staying in southern West Virginia, they need to be there.”

Kirkendoll said West Virginia was one of only four states that had a solid budget.

“Some states have no idea how their going to pay their debts,” Kirkendoll said. “The coal, the natural gas and the timber — our God-given natural resources that we’re able to supply to the rest of the nation — has allowed us to have a decent, affordable lifestyle and we’re not asking for anything. Just let us continue to work. We don’t want any handouts. Just let us work.”

Kirkendoll said the Logan County Commission is expecting more than 300 attendees at the forum, but they hope 600 people show up.

“I’m hoping that we politely, and in a professional fashion, let these people we need you now. We need you to convince the rest of the people you work with in Washington, D.C., that mining coal is not a bad thing,” Kirkendoll said.

The county commission press release said the holdup in the permitting process is putting jobs and the region’s economy in jeopardy.

“Coal mine lands are being restored as part of the reclamation process to meet ongoing economic, recreational, educational, social, transportation and housing needs of local communities and the state,” the release stated. “The lack of transparency in the federal permitting process, the review of the Stream Buffer Zone rule and ongoing court challenges to permit applications are jeopardizing jobs, economic opportunity and coal production throughout West Virginia and the region.

“This Regional Economic Forum will serve as a notice to all elected officials as to the resolve and determination we, as Americans, have to protect our ability to work.”