Standing in front of huge pieces of mining equipment built by Joy Mining Machinery along with members of the General Assembly, coal industry representatives, Gov. Bob McDonnell ceremonially signed legislation today that supports Virginia’s coal industry by promoting tax credits for coal industry jobs in Southwest Virginia, and making mining safer by requiring submission of mining maps and directional changes by companies extracting coal and natural gas in close proximity.
“Coal and natural gas development supports more than 57,000 Virginia jobs,” McDonnell said. “This is why we worked with the General Assembly to support safe and efficient mining operations that cultivate this proven source of energy to help make Virginia the energy capital of the East Coast. These pieces of legislation I am signing today will make coal mining safer for those who work in the mines throughout the Commonwealth, and will spur the creation of more good-paying jobs in southwest Virginia directly related to mining, and also indirectly supported by mining operations such as those here at the Joy Mining Company.”
The bills ceremonially signed by the governor will take effect July 1, 2012.
Energy bills signed
HB1192 O’Quinn/SB609 Carrico – Extends the Coalfield Employment Enhancement Tax Credit to Jan. 1, 2017 to continue promoting coal industry jobs in Southwest Virginia
HB684 O’Quinn/SB330 Carrico- Requires submission of mining maps and updates to the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy prior to mining to ensure safety of operations, particularly around gas drilling
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