Ward. Harold 

 

 

 

 


From: Caperton, Austin
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 4:02 PM
To: Ward, Harold 
Subject: RE: press release

Did it

Austin Caperton
Cabinet Secretary DEP
304-926-0440

Driven by Employee Pride

From: Ward, Harold 

Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 3:52 PM

To: Caperton, Austin <Austin.Caperton@wv.gov>
Subject: Fwd: press release

Interior has request a quote from as related to the attached press release. They would like ASAP
Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jason Bostic 
Date: July 26, 2017 at 3:48:28 PM EDT

To: Harold Ward gov>
Subject: Fwd: press release

 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Davis, Landon" <landon daviSf?ii?.ios.doi.aov>
Date: July 26, 2017 at 3:28:21 PM EDT

To: <1 b0 Stict?l wvcoal .com>

Cc: Heather Swi? <heather 
Subject: press release

 

Jason: can you get us a quote from you guys and Austin Thanks!

interior Secretary Zinke Applauds Mine Proposal to

Create Jobs in Virginia and West Virginia

(WASHINGTON) Today US. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke applauded the initial
construction of the Berwind Mine located on the border of West Virginia and Virginia.
Developers expect the mine to create 50 good-paying local jobs. The Berwind Coal Reserve
is estimated to contain about 72 million tons of clean recoverable metallurgical coal, which is
critical for infrastructure and is used for steel, roads, bridges. and building construction. The
Berwind Mine will produce about 800,000 tons per year and will create jobs in some of the
hardest-hit areas of Appalachian region including McDowell County, West Virginia as well as
Buchanan and Tazewell Counties in Virginia.

Although the mine is on private land, the Department of the Interior had a role in approving
wildlife protection plans for the Big Sandy cray?sh in conjunction with the State of West
Virginia's Department of Environmental Protection. There are currently about a dozen pending
projects that require USFWS coordination in the region.

?Appalachia's coal workers are at the heart of rebuilding our nation's infrastructure because
we can't build if we don't access our natural resources," said Secretary Ryan Zinke. "Under
President Trump's leadership, the Department of the Interior is dedicated to being a good
partner with local communities. This administration is dedicated to streamlining permitting and
approval processes. cutting red tape, and empowering local employees to get work done on
the front lines -without cutting corners on environmental requirements. The Berwind Mine is
the ?rst of many many projects that prove the Trump Administration's commitment to coal
country and to good government."

QUOTE Ramaco

The mine developers submitting their application for permit in the summer of 2016; however,
due to complications with the wildlife management plans for two species of cray?sh, the
permitting process stalled. On June XX. 2017, interior of?cials visited West Virginia to meet
with the private and government stakeholders. The group was able to develop a plan to
protect the cray?sh and go fonrvard with the mine. On June 26, the project was approved by
the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and on July 5. initial

construction began on the new mine. Since the June meeting with Interior of?cials and the
WVDEP, of?cial guidance was issued by the USFWS ?eld office which will help ensure timely
approval of the pending projects.

"On behalf of Secretary Zinke, it was a pleasure to meet the folks in West Virginia involved in
this project and work together to resolves the issues for immediate progress.? said Vincent
DeVito, counselor to the Secretary for Energy Policy. ?This Administration's
commonsense approach to reasonable regulations enables us to deliver results.?

QUOTE WV Coal Association

?The expansion of the Berwind mine will create 50 well?paying jobs, and is a perfect example
of what we can achieve when government works as a partner not an adversary,? Senator
Manchin said. ?It is good news for McDowell County and all of West Virginia. We know that
coal will be in the energy mix for decades to come and i?m encouraged by the work of
Secretary Zinke and the Fish and Wildlife Service in ensuring this project moves forward. This
mine will produce 800,000 tons of clean recoverable metallurgical coal annually that will help
rebuild our roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. This mine is a key ingredient to
powering our country?s infrastructure restoration. I look forward to hearing about Berwind
mine's positive impact on McDowell County, I applaud this decision, and I will continue to fight
for economic growth throughout our great state.?

QUOTE SEN CAPITO

welcome the expansion of the Berwind mine, which extends into Buchanan and Tazewell
Counties," said Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith. ?Miners, other workers at the mine,
and employees of mining supply companies will be put to work and be able to spend money in
their communities. Localities will receive the appropriate coal severance taxes, which will help
support their schools. Thus, Southwest Virginia will bene?t from this move.?

?Finally, after eight years of anti-coal policies, coal is beginning to see a rebound," said West
Virginia Congressman David B. McKinley, P.E., chairman of the Congressional Coal
Caucus. "From increased exports to new mines opening, we?re seeing positive developments
in coal country. The Trump Administration is committed to bringing coal jobs back, and we
look forward to working together to do just that."

QUOTE WV Secretary of DEP Austin Capron

Tucker Davis
Department of the Interior
202.706.9403