Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal holiday has roots in the American labor movement of the late 19th century, and it’s meant to recognize workers’ vital contributions to the country’s strength and prosperity.
The state of West Virginia has a rich history in coal mining, lumber, and steelmaking: all drivers that brought our country to the modern age. WV Coal Association CEO Chris Hamilton says that West Virginia’s coal miners have been vital to the state and the country over the years, and will continue to play a large role in industry:
“Our industry represents a $21 billion industry here in the state of West Virginia… West Virginia coal particularly, but US coal generally, is still regarded as one of the highest-valued fuel sources for electric generation, as well as steelmaking… We’ve carried the state and country through the industrial age, the information age, and hopefully we will be a big part of the power that drives the new AI age going forward here.”
Energy Innovation says that coal was the nation’s largest power source for 100 years, but now generates only 15% of the country’s energy, and may decline further as cleaner, cheaper competition grows. However, the development of data centers and growing electricity demand across the country could mean all power plants will remain as vital as ever.
Electricity aside, the US Department of Energy designated coal as a “critical material” in the production of steel in 2020, as 70 percent of domestic steel production relies on coal.
Hamilton says the future of coal looks bright, and the resilience of West Virginia’s coal miners will continue to fuel industry as it always has.
“I think mine-working individuals will certainly have a career and future going forward… We have an extraordinary quality of life here as West Virginians and as Americans… I think, again, you can trace that to the abundance of fuel, the hard work of our miners and other laborers. You know, we have—without question—the most qualified, the most competent, the hardest-working miners you’ll find anywhere in the world, and are using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies—advanced technologies… People come, and countries come from all over the world to see how we do it right here in West Virginia; we do it so well.”
