Despite the glee expressed by some in the Democratic Party, mining is not completely dead in the Appalachian coal fields. A new investment in mines in southern WV and along the WV/Va border will mean hundreds of new jobs for an area starving for employment.
Of course for many, this is grasping at any sort of life preserver while drowning. It may not all pan out. As its metallurgical coal (used in metal smelting) as opposed to steam coal (used in electricity generation); it represents a shift in market and becomes more sensitive to international market forces. There has been a glut in the worldwide steel so the people investing in this coal production must feel confident or have contracts at a good price/labor ratio.
Of course a Democratic politician with good contacts in WV and Va will be at the ribbon cutting and bragging about how their efforts brought the jobs to the area. And you can be sure the Governor, Senators, state legislature, county commission members will be there. I doubt the Democratic nominee will be there. If she had the guts, or interest, she should be there and get her ear filled. Maybe make her point or two. Maybe gain some grudging respect. But that would alienate her coastal donors who have written off a large portion of the eastern US.
As an aside-
Heard an interview with the author of “Grid” about US’s electric grid system. She said, paradoxically, that increased reliance on wind and solar could mean continued use of fossil fuels as the current Grid was designed for a constant level of electricity on it, and if a large area is under cloud, nighttime, or if wind dies…fossil boilers have to be fired up to replace that lost generation. A complete redesign and construction of the Grid and a practical method of storage is necessary to take full benefit of the environmental pluses of renewables.
Ridge
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Low prices for natural gas and new pollution regulations are turning many utilities off coal as their fuel of choice for generating electricity. U.S. coal-fired power capacity is down 15 percent since 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
This coal won’t be used for electricity but for steel manufacturing. Metallurgical coal prices are up lately due to a mix of international market factors. But Ramaco can make the mines work even at even fairly low prices, Atkins said.