Pennsylvania bituminous coal companies, workers and their families, and industry suppliers and manufacturers gathered Monday in Pittsburgh to announce the formation of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. 

The advocacy group’s mission is to represent a stronger, unified voice in telling the whole story of coal and its vital future.

The Alliance has been formed by the merger of the Pennsylvania Coal Association and Families Organized to Represent the Coal Economy (FORCE).

It was also announced today that former state Senator John Pippy will serve as CEO of the newly-formed alliance.  After announcing his retirement from the state Senate on June 30, Pippy’s next career step has been the subject of intense speculation over the past few weeks.

“I am excited to lead the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance. We are advocating for more than 40,000 coal companies, workers and families, and suppliers – but the reach of the industry and our Alliance is much broader than that,” said Pippy.

“Any Pennsylvanian that owns a home, uses an air-conditioner, buys from local businesses, or just wants reliable, affordable and cleaner energy for their family is directly affected by the coal industry’s future. We are ready and proud to fight for these people.”

George Ellis, who served as President of the now-defunct Pennsylvania Coal Association, will stay on as the President of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, and will serve as the Association’s primary lobbyist.

“John’s service as a state lawmaker, combined with his training as an environmental engineer, make him uniquely qualified to lead the Alliance as we begin a new chapter. It has become clear recently that we need a stronger, more unified voice as our industry works toward technical advances to become even cleaner – while remaining the most affordable energy source for Pennsylvanians,” said Ellis.  “We are honored and privileged to have John join us.”

The Pennsylvania Coal Alliance will remain headquartered at the former Pennsylvania Coal Association offices in Harrisburg, and will continue to educate the public and policymakers about the coal industry in Pennsylvania.

The coal industry provides 9,000 direct mining jobs and more than 41,500 indirect jobs, generating $7.5 billion in economic output annually.

For more information, visit the PA Coal Alliance website.

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7/16/2012