Coal Mining and Coal-Fired Power Remain Major Economic Drivers in West Virginia
Coal mining and coal-fired electricity generation fueled roughly $21 billion in economic activity and sustained over 36,000 jobs in West Virginia in 2024, according to a report from the West Virginia Coal Association.
The study, prepared by the West Virginia University Bureau of Business & Economic Research, found that the coal sector supported 36,249 jobs statewide, generating $3.7 billion in wages and salaries. It also contributed an estimated $1.3 billion in state and local taxes, including severance, sales, income, property, and corporate taxes.
Commissioned by the coal association, the research examines the broader economic footprint of coal mining and coal-fired power across the state. Coal mining alone accounted for $16.4 billion in economic output, provided approximately 30,600 jobs, and produced $3.1 billion in compensation for workers. It also generated roughly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue.
Coal-fired power plants added $4.6 billion in economic activity, supporting 5,649 jobs and $615.2 million in employee compensation, while contributing an estimated $315.1 million in taxes. Researchers noted that the total impact of the coal industry is amplified through indirect and induced spending, with $15.5 billion coming directly from the sector and an additional $5.5 billion circulating through the state economy.
The report highlighted that coal miners earn significantly more than the statewide average. In 2024, average annual pay for coal miners was around $112,800—nearly double the private-sector average. Though mining makes up about 2.5% of West Virginia’s private-sector employment, it represents approximately 4.8% of total private-sector earnings.
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CoalZoom’s Bill Reid Included in Those to be Inducted Into West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame
The West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame, a joint initiative between the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute and the West Virginia Coal Association and housed at the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources in Morgantown, will induct its newest class of honorees during a ceremony scheduled for March 31, 2026. The event will be held at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center in Charleston.
One of the inductees is Bill Reid, founder, President & CEO, Coal News, Inc., the publisher of CoalZoom.com, who said, ”I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has made this great award possible. I will certainly continue to promote coal and the very fine people in it for the rest of my life with continued enthusiasm and a deep sense of humility.”
Bill Reid
This year’s honorees comprise Charles Bearse, President/CEO, Blackhawk Mining; Michael Day, CEO, Eagle Summit Resources; Robert Moore, President/CEO, American Consolidated Natural Resources; Gary Hartsog, President, Alpha Engineering Services; Keith Hainer, President, Matrix Design Group; and, Bill Reid, Founder/CEO & President, Coal News, Inc. publisher of CoalZoom.
Bill Reid
This is the 28th class of inductees for the West Virginia Coal Hall of Fame, which began in 1998.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association, said, “These individuals are mining industry trailblazers who have led industry-wide innovations and advancements in coal mine extractive techniques, mine safety programs, land restoration and philanthropy over the course of their long careers. They have had an incredibly positive impact on the coal industry and the State of West Virginia and are absolutely deserving of this honor.”
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Norfolk Southern Strategic Initiatives After Winter Storms
Norfolk Southern strategic initiatives were in focus on March 17. That day, the company addressed the JPMorgan Industrials Conference 2026. Also, analysts consider Norfolk Southern one of the best railroad stocks to buy. President and CEO Mark George joined Executive Vice President and CFO Jason Zampi. They discussed Q1 performance, winter storm recovery, and a possible Union Pacific merger.
Norfolk Southern strategic initiatives and recovery
The executives said the year began strongly in January. Meanwhile, Norfolk Southern reported “satisfactory” volumes. February then brought three successive winter storms and deep freezes. They significantly affected operations. Still, by March, the company said it had returned to normal operations. George expressed optimism about the recovery trajectory.
Norfolk Southern train
Separately, George described the potential Union Pacific merger as a strategic opportunity. That topic was previously covered by Railway Supply. If completed, he said, the deal would create seamless single-line service. In addition, it would enhance competitiveness. It would also enable transcontinental railroad capabilities.
Technology investments and commercial structure
Also, technological investments remain a priority for Norfolk Southern. The company is continuing its locomotive fleet modernization. For example, more than 70% of its locomotives now feature AC technology. Meanwhile, it is also exploring artificial-intelligence applications. Those applications are meant to optimize train plans. They are also meant to improve decision-making processes across operations.
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European Thermal Coal Imports May Rise as Middle East War Jolts Gas Supply Outlook
Europe's utilities and traders are preparing to step up seaborne thermal coal purchases as the Middle East conflict adds volatility to gas markets and revives the economics of gas-to-coal switching ahead of summer demand, market participants said.
The pickup is expected first in spot restocking into Northwest Europe, with some market participants warning the impact could extend into the third or fourth quarters of 2026 if the conflict and LNG disruptions persist.
"We expect gas-to-coal switching in EU15 to outpace that of the Asian thermal markets as initial reactions. Given Asia's higher reliance upon thermal coal for power generation, we believe a shift could occur in terms of regional thermal coal demand and spot price escalation should the disruption extend," said Wendy Schallom, associate director of global seaborne thermal coal analysis at S&P Global Energy CERA.
The situation is unlikely to mirror 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine forced widespread coal switching amid an acute supply shock. Europe has since diversified its gas supply, expanded renewables and pushed more coal capacity into reserve or retirement. Still, the latest conflict has put thermal coal back in focus as a hedge against gas insecurity.
CERA data shows Europe's thermal coal imports fell to 37.4 million metric tons in 2025 from 81.7 million mt in 2022, reflecting structurally weaker coal demand as coal plants were idled or shuttered.
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New U.S. Coal Capacity is Coming
The U.S. hasn’t opened a new coal power plant since 2013. That’s about to change.
This week, the proposed 1.25-gigawatt Terra Energy Center in southeast Alaska announced it has secured an agreement with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries Power Systems for roughly $1 billion in utility-scale boilers. It’s the first such order for a U.S. coal plant since 2006.
The Terra Energy Center, backed by an additional $500 million investment from Korean private equity firm KOREIT, would be the first new coal plant built in the United States since the Sandy Creek Energy Station came online in Texas in 2013.
Alaska may be an unexpected location for new coal generation, but this development reflects a rapidly changing U.S. energy landscape defined by surging electricity demand and growing concerns about grid reliability. The AI and data center rush are upending markets, apparently even in Alaska. The Terra Energy Center could also be coming alongside a new data center—a proposal that echoes dynamics playing out across the country.
Meeting Surging Demand
The data center buildout is driving a remarkable uptick in electricity demand, adding new stress to the nation’s already overstretched supply of power.
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