In March of this year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared yet another rule dealing with greenhouse gas emissions This new rule would limit carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants to 1,000 pounds per megawatt-hour. In other words, this rule would stop the building of any new coal-fired power plants. Coal-fired power plants produce over 98% of electricity to West Virginians. It is an affordable and reliable energy source, unlike any other type of electricity. This rule could lead to a 30% jump in electricity bills for us consumers. The EPA's environmental agenda kills American jobs, creates higher energy prices and weakens our nation’s security. We as West Virginian students rely on the coal industry for student scholarships, stabilizing the economy, creating affordable energy prices, building jobs, and supporting our local towns and cities. As young students on a fixed income the EPA's rules will hurt us not only in the pocket but for future years to come! Please sign this petition to support the coal industry here in West Virginia and let the EPA know that as students their actions affect us and we care! Thank you for your support! Why Support Coal? Coal Facts: •Coal supplies half the electricity consumed by Americans. •West Virginia is the second largest coal-producing state in the country, producing 158 million tons of coal in 2008; 26 West Virginia counties produce coal. •West Virginia has 4 percent of all U.S. coal reserves; coal can be found in 53 of West Virginia’s 55 counties. •About 98 percent of West Virginia’s electricity is generated from coal •In 2007, coal mining in West Virginia generated nearly $15 billion in output. •Surface mines account for 42 percent of coal production each year in West Virginia. •West Virginia leads the nation in coal exports, shipping more than 50 million tons to 23 countries. ◦Coal mining in West Virginia supports over 88,000 jobs,paying hundreds of millions of dollars in annual wages. •The average wage for a coal worker in West Virginia is about $68,000, roughly double the average wage for jobs most other industries in the state. •West Virginia coal invests hundreds of millions of dollars in coal mine land restoration, or reclamation, projects.

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