I believe we need to welcome all sources of energy
People never would have believed that a coal guy would welcome with open arms alternative sources or alternative energies. I'm a real believer that West Virginia needs to welcome all. There's been many green and niche components to this admission
initiative, but I want you to remember just one thing, and I know you will forevermore. Our coal, oil and gas folks today are supplying to West Virginia in this year or in years past, $891 million of severance income to this great state.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the W.V. legislature
, Jan 11, 2023
We should help our coal, gas, and oil companies
You've got to look at tiering the severance tax on oil, gas and coal. I told you this years ago. We should help our coal companies, our gas companies, our oil companies. We should help them in every way to continue to create jobs and to go on and on
all we can. But you know, my family's been in the coal business forever. And I'm going to tell you that when profits rise to levels that are beyond our imaginations, we ought to be willing to step up and pay just a little tiny bit more.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to West Virginia legislature
, Feb 10, 2021
I truly believe that coal has a future, a real future
On energy: "We know there is a life span on coal," Salango said. Justice said Salango saying there is a life span on coal is Salango "throwing in the towel" on coal miners. "I truly believe that coal has a future, a real future,"
Justice said. "Now, it might be diversified ... absolutely. To give up on coal, there's no way Jim Justice is doing that."
Asked if they would devote more government resources to sustain the coal industry or invest in alternative, renewable fuels for the state's future, Salango said he would "never turn his back on coal miners" while focusing
on training in new, other forms of energy. "We have to make sure we're providing other opportunities, providing vocational and technical training to kids in middle school and high school."
State's coal can be used for construction instead of fuel
All of us think we can't burn anymore coal because the world is rebelling against that. Ramaco would tell you that coal that coal is too expensive to burn. You're wasting an opportunity when you burn it. I thought they were crazy. What they're saying
is they can make carbon fiber out of coal that is four times as light as steel and twice as strong. They absolutely have a way to do things with coal that can be an alternative use for coal that it would be so perfect for us it is unbelievable.
Source: 2020 West Virginia State of the State address
, Jan 8, 2020
Coal miners back work is good; let's have more
Now, we celebrate our coal miners going back to work. We need not to be satisfied with the numbers that we have back today. We need to be sure that those people are some way looked after from a safety standpoint the very best they possibly can--or can
be. But in addition to that, we have got to get more of our coal miners to work. It is an absolute unbelievable thing to travel down through the coalfields and see communities coming back to life. But we got to have more. And then more on top of that.
Source: 2018 West Virginia State of the State address
, Jan 10, 2018
Lower the severance tax on coal and gas
I truly believe that we ought to tier our severance tax on coal and gas. You know, it's just this simple. And our coal companies are really hurting. And I know a lot about this.
When they're really hurting, we got to step up and help them. And at that point in time, we probably have to step up and lower the severance tax. The same way with the gas.
Source: 2017 West Virginia State of the State address
, Feb 8, 2017
Lower, and then tier, the severance tax on coal and gas
We ought to tier our severance tax on coal and gas. Our coal companies are really hurting. When they're really hurting, we got to step up and help them. And at that point in time, we probably have to step up and lower the severance tax.
The same way with the gas.
But I am telling you, I am not a hog. If we have the bonanza that I think is in front of us with coal--especially metallurgical coals--what if? What if I were to tell you, just this: Think about this for a second.
If coal is $35, whoever is mining that is losing money. Lowering the severance tax on that to 2%, or whatever you want to do, okay, I'm good. There's got to be a sweet spot to where we're back to five.
What if it goes to $200 a ton? What happens?
There's no way that anybody's cost is going to be greater than $80. At this level right here, anybody's profit is $120 a ton. At this point in time right here, this severance tax needs to be 10%. All it would do is lower the profitability to $110 a ton.