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Jenkins visits coal mine near Whitesville

Saying he was fulfilling a campaign promise he made to coal miners, Third District U.S. Congressman Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) visited the Hunter Peerless Mine near Whitesville Friday.

“We told those in the Third Congressional District that we would fight for coal in Washington, D.C., and I wanted to come here today and look these coal miners in the eye, face to face, and talk about the things we are doing and hear about their concerns,” Jenkins said.

A town hall-style meeting was conducted in the morning with Jenkins, miners, coal company officials and staff, as well as Sylvester Mayor Manuel Arvon.

Arvon also owns a business in Whitesville and thanked Jenkins for coming.

“We need you to continue to fight for us,” Arvon told Jenkins. “Our communities are being hit hard by what is going on in Washington, D.C., regarding the coal industry and we are trying to turns these towns around. With your help, I think we can accomplish some of our goals.”

Jenkins said what is happening in Washington, D.C., under President Barack Obama’s administration, is an all-out “war on coal.”

“Don’t let anyone fool you, coal is under attack by this current administration,” Jenkins told the miners. “This administration seems to be doing everything it can to stop the use, the buying, and the mining of coal. It’s incredible to me that they are using every tool to kill who we are and what we do.”

Jenkins said his great-grandfather died in a coal mine and his wife has many coal miners in her family as well.

“This attack on coal is personal to me,” he said. “Coal mining is in our blood and it’s who we are. I will never stop fighting for coal, coal miners and their families.”

Jenkins said there are several ways he is fighting back against those in Washington who are against coal.

“I worked hard to get on the Appropriations Committee,” he said. “This committee controls the budget of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The over-reach of this agency is using your tax dollars to fund the war on coal. I am going to do everything in my power to stop this by using the power of the purse strings. We control the budget of the EPA and they are no longer going to use taxpayers’ money to wage a war on coal.”

Jenkins said he also did not vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the U.S. House of Delegates.

“This is the first time in 12 years that your Third District Congress representative did not vote for Nancy Pelosi,” Jenkins said. “She is part of the Obama group that is against coal and wants to kill the coal industry. She will not have my vote.”

Jenkins said he also challenged the EPA to come to West Virginia and visit and speak with coal miners, but they said no.

“When they said no, I brought coal miners to Washington, D.C., to tell their stories,” he said. “They told them to let us mine our coal and provide for our families.”

Jenkins said he didn’t want to over promise anything to coal miners and their families.

“I will promise you that each and every day I will take this opportunity that you have blessed me with to fight for you,” he said. “I will fight tooth and nail during the appropriations process to get the EPA off our backs. “

Jenkins added that mine safety and protecting miners’ benefits also remains a priority.

“I will protect widows and miner benefits, and safety issues miners face inside the mines,” he said. “We are fighting at every level this war on coal.”

Jenkins brought his upper level staff from Washington, D.C., to also go on an underground mine tour with coal miners.

“I want them to see what you do and to see who they are fighting for,” Jenkins said. “Coal and coal miners have provided the energy for this great nation for decades and is the cheapest, most reliable and abundant energy source in our country. We are going to fight to keep your voice alive and heard in Washington, D.C.”

Jenkins said Washington has invested in clean coal technologies.

“Washington talks, but hasn’t made the investment like it should,” he said. “We are burning coal with fewer emissions than ever before and I will continue to push for investments in clean coal technologies.”

Jenkins said diversifying the state’s economy was a good thing, but not and “either, or” situation.

“Some seem to think that diversifying West Virginia’s economy means we must give up on coal,” he said. “Too often they make it into and either/or situation and I believe we can have both coal and diversification. We are seeing growth in tourism, small business manufacturing and other areas, but I will never turn my back on coal, coal miners and their families. Diversification should be seen as an addition to coal, not as an alternative to coal.”

Jenkins told coal miners that one of the biggest ways they can help their own cause is to vote.

“Elections matter,” he said. “We made history in November 2014. This was our victory together. We defeated the second longest serving member of the U.S. Congress in a general election in America’s history. There is another important election coming in 2016 and I encourage you to vote for those who are fighting for you and will keep up the fight. We will not forget you and we will continue to fight for you, your families and your communities every single day. That is my promise to you.”

source:http://www.williamsondailynews.com