August 2009   —   Issue # 2009-03

Mining Metrics
 

Poll Watch

Political “Insiders Poll”*
Hints at Congressional
Actions in the Future

Are moderate Democrats helping or hurting their re-election prospects by resisting President Obama's legislative agenda?

Democrat Insiders
Helping   41 percent
Hurting   54 percent

Republican Insiders
Helping   86 percent
Hurting   14 percent

Should Congress increase the gasoline tax to fund a six-year highway bill?

Democrat Insiders
Yes   58 percent
No     40 percent

Republican Insiders
Yes   5 percent
No   95 percent

* Congressional Insiders Poll is periodically produced by National Journal, and features views of Members of Congress. Read more for names and verbatim comments.

The Wrong Way
on Climate

America remains in the midst of one of the most profound economic downturns our nation has ever known. You might expect that in the face of this ongoing economic uncertainty Congress would focus on creating new jobs and marshalling our abundant natural resource wealth.

You’d be wrong.

When the U.S. Senate reconvenes in September it will likely begin debate on a climate change bill approved by the House of Representatives by the narrowest of margins.

Supporters of the Waxman-Markey climate bill (H.R. 2454) will tell you the bill will create new jobs, make energy cheaper and improve environmental protections.

They’re wrong.

According to a recent analysis, the Waxman-Markey bill will wipe-out as many as 125,000 coal-mining related jobs across the country by 2030, with more than 37,000 jobs in Illinois poised for elimination.

Sure, some states will do just fine under the bill, but others, like Illinois and her sister manufacturing states in the heartland, will get pummeled. Another recent breakdown of H.R. 2454 shows it will cost Illinois ratepayers more than $500 million annually to comply with the bill’s onerous new climate regime.

This month members of Congress have decamped from Washington, D.C., to their home districts to hear from their constituents. I urge you talk to your elected officials about the importance of coal. I know I will.

Tell them that any climate change legislation must protect coal’s vital role in powering America.

Tell your members of Congress that new clean coal technologies deserve federal support and must be adequately funded in climate change legislation. These technologies will help create thousands of new, high-paying jobs, improve environmental performance and help keep energy costs low.

Right here in Illinois construction will soon begin on the FutureGen plant; the world’s first near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant.

But most importantly, tell Congress that the Waxman-Markey bill is not the medicine our still weakened nation needs.

signature graphic

Phillip M. Gonet
President, Illinois Coal Association

Washington Watch

Army Corps Greenlights Permit for Alaska Gold Mine

The Army Corps of Engineers this week reactivated a Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit for the Coeur d’Alene Kensington Gold Mine, located 40 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska.

The Corps announced its decision on August 17. In June the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the company had a valid 404 permit to dispose of tailings from the Kensington mine into Lower Slate Lake.

Despite the court’s ruling, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had sought to slow down permitting activity, insisting that the Corps re-evaluate the tailings disposal plan for the mine. However, EPA has stated it will not veto the permit, thus allowing the Corps to give final approval.

With approximately 90 percent of the mine already complete, the company said it will immediately begin to finalize construction of the remaining areas of the operation.

“There is an extensive list of groups and individuals to thank for their efforts and continued support of Kensington,” said Coeur Chairman, President and CEO, Dennis E. Wheeler.

“The Company looks forward to getting back to accomplishing the main objective, which is to construct and operate a world-class gold mine that all stakeholders will be proud of,” said Wheeler.

Smart Science

Study Supports New Coal Electric Generation with Carbon Capture

A new study backed by major labor unions concluded that clean coal technologies can help usher in a U.S. economic boom, boost the nation’s energy security and successfully manage carbon dioxide emissions.

The study, Employment and Other Economic Benefits from Advanced Coal Electric Generation with Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies, found that constructing up to 100 gigawatts of new coal-fueled generation would create nearly 49,000 new jobs, generate more than $45 billion in direct economic benefits and produce more than $100 billion in direct and implied benefits, given multiplier effects.

Prepared by BBC Research & Consulting, using a U.S. economic model, the study illustrates enormous economic gains under multiple deployment scenarios. According to the study, the construction, manufacturing and professional services sectors would see the largest economic gains.

The study was commissioned by the Industrial Union Council of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Mine Workers of America and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.

A copy of the study is available at: Coal Study.

From the Heartland

New Peabody Energy Program Honors Educators and Mentors

Peabody Energy, the world’s largest private sector coal company, and the Logos School recently unveiled the Leaders in Education initiative, a first-of-a-kind partnership to honor excellent educators and mentors in Illinois and Missouri.

The Logos School is an independent, alternative, therapeutic school in St. Louis, Mo., dedicated to assisting students and their families with academic and emotional needs that have not been met in a traditional classroom.

Peabody has pledged $450,000 dollars over three years to support the initiative. The gift includes funding for an educator/mentor recognition program in Missouri and Illinois and a grant to benefit the mission of Logos School.

“We are proud to partner with Logos to honor the educators and mentors who do so much to develop our young people,” said Peabody Chairman and CEO, Gregory H. Boyce.

“A proactive, caring adult can have a profoundly positive affect on a child’s life. The Leaders in Education program will highlight and honor those individuals who motivate our students on their educational journeys,” said Boyce.

The first Leaders in Education award will be presented in September to an individual selected by a committee of leading academic, business and civic members.

Each week another winner will be honored with a $1,000 grant.

The program is the first to be open to all applicants regardless of subject, grade or school. Any employee at a Missouri or Illinois public, charter or private school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 can qualify.

More information and applications are available at: Peabody Program.