BUILD IT ON INNOVATION. WVU research drives innovation— and builds the future for our state, the nation, and the world.
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Ann Hammack
Nurse | Medical Staff Office
100 Years Impacting Leading The Way The first graduating class of the Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing in 1917 (left) in front of the first hospital building built in Charleston. Ann Hammack (above, top photo) graduated from the School of Nursing in 1959 and still serves on the Saint Francis staff. Wanda Allen Pharmacy Tech
Hospital Firsts In 1951, twenty white nurses walked out when the Sisters of Saint Joseph refused to discharge Ruth Anderson (photo in frame) and two other black nurses. Substitute nurses were flown in from other communities to cover for the twenty strikers and the three black nurses continued employment. Six decades later, Ruth’s niece Wanda Allen serves on the Saint Francis pharmacy staff.
of Women Healthcare ney | Sister Barbara McCart Sister Virginia Yeager
Commitment In 1913, Bishop Patrick J. Donahue of the Diocese of Wheeling charged five Sisters with the challenge of overseeing Saint Francis Hospital. Today, the Sisters of Saint Joseph continue to deliver healthcare to all people, doing so in a sensitive, compassionate, responsive and efficient manner.
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West Virginia’spremierbusiness publication! Published by Executive Ink, LLC Editor in Chief Kensie Hamilton Creative Director Jennifer Jett Senior Graphic Designer Lisa Affolter Business De velopment
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West Virginia Executive is published quarterly by Executive Ink, LLC, PO Box 6277, Charleston, West Virginia 25362. All rights reserved. All contents are copyrighted by Executive Ink, LLC; reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Executive Ink, LLC is expressly forbidden and punishable by law. West Virginia Executive is not responsible for unsolicited materials. All opinions expressed within West Virginia Executive belong to the feature’s author and are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers or Executive Ink, LLC employees. West Virginia Executive and Executive Ink, LLC reserve the right to refuse any idea, material or subject matter, especially those of racist, sexist, pornographic or religiously derogating intent. Throughout this issue, trademarked names are used. Rather than denoting a trademark symbol in every occurrence of a trademarked name, West Virginia Executive uses the names in an editorial fashion, with no infringement. All trademarked names are still fully protected and anyone who uses them without permission will be prosecuted. About the Cover Brett Harvey, a fourth generation coal miner, is the CEO of CONSOL Energy.
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Editor’s Journal Last year, I finally put my West Virginia
bucket list on paper, and I have been lucky enough to have been able to check a few things off throughout the past few months. In fact, some of the items I have been able to check off have been pretty amazing, making for an exceptional few months. I had the opportunity to tour a coal prep plant, thanks to Jim Bunn and Coal River Energy, and photographer Tracy Toler and I were able to gain access to a natural gas well site with help from Mike McCown and Gastar Exploration. You can see the images of these two photo shoots on page 86 of this issue in the story called “High-Tech, Down Under.” In celebration of our third annual energy issue, the Executive Ink girls hit the road for a field trip. Lisa Affolter, Jennifer Jett and I traveled south to tour the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with a little help from Leslie Baker, the mine’s director of operations. To see how coal mining was once accomplished by hand, as well as the high-
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tech mining methods of today, made me realize just how far coal mining practices have evolved over the last 100 years. As the girls and I rode the man trip underground, we traveled back in time to the early days of mining. Leroy, our tour guide, who worked as a coal miner for more than 20 years, explained how the miners of the past used a pickaxe and shovel to load four tons of coal a day for approximately one dollar in wages per shift. Leroy is the proud son of a West Virginia coal miner who worked on his hands and knees every day underground, digging and loading the coal. Leroy told us his father began working in the mines at the age of 13, which was common back then. It was enlightening for us to see the environment, work conditions and challenges Leroy’s father might have faced on a daily basis, as well as the 20th century-style coal camp where a bachelor could rent a one-room shanty for $1.00 a month.
Did you know: • The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine sees about 40,000 people a year, and about one-third of those are children on field trips. • Visitors come from all 50 states and a dozen foreign countries a year. • This is their 51st year in operation, making the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine one of the oldest tourist attractions in the state that’s not a state park. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is an invaluable tool to help not only West Virginians but visitors from all over understand the history of our great state and why coal mining was important back then and remains important today.
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In
Letter from the Publishers
While this year’s energy issue is packed
with statewide and regional information concerning one of West Virginia’s largest industries, we also wanted to take an opportunity to focus on another source of energy in the Mountain State: the energy building in our communities as summer events roll into town. With the tourism season in full swing and warmer weather luring us out of the winter blues, West Virginia has many opportunities for you to get out and get some Vitamin D. Whether you’re interested in history, the great outdoors or live performances, there are a lot of things you can do in West Virginia this summer to get out and enjoy our wild, wonderful state. No matter where you travel in West Virginia this year, you are sure to find local celebrations of the sesquicentennial. Wheeling holds a special place in the hearts of Mountaineers as the home of the Mountain State’s first state capitol. Independence Hall will be leading the charge for the festivities taking place in the Northern Panhandle, which will include tours of the first capitol building, a viewing of the movie “Lincoln” at the riverfront, a 35-gun salute, concerts and performances. The celebration will commence with a Civil War Ball. At the State Capitol, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin is putting on a heck of a weekend-long birthday celebration in honor of our Mountain Mama. Festivities will begin on June 20, the state’s official date of birth, and continue through Sunday, June 23. The birthday girl will be honored with a statewide bell ringing on the 20th, an outdoor symphony concert and a viewing of a special 3-D film that will bring the state’s history to life, followed by a Zambelli fireworks display. The rest
of the weekend will include a parade, outdoor concerts, a vintage car show, the annual Smoke on the Water Chili CookOff, history lectures and re-enactors and a giant birthday cake. For more details on the festivities, visit www.wv150.com. Bridgeport is the home of one of West Virginia’s state-of-the-art baseball complexes, and they are going to celebrate in style with a Civil War-era baseball game. The game, which was a pastime of soldiers, will be played in the 1896 fashion with rules and uniforms from the era. The game will be a matchup of the Pittsburg Franklins and the Fulton Mules of Ohio and will feature Civil War-style vendors. The evening will end with a fireworks show. The Greenbrier Classic will also be returning to White Sulphur Springs this summer, and Jim Justice has done it again. In keeping with event concert tradition, he has lassoed more big-name headliners for this year’s golf tournament. Folks from all over will converge on the historic Greenbrier Resort on July 4 to celebrate our independence with Kenny Chesney, and on July 6, the legendary rock group Aerosmith will be in White Sulphur Springs to bring the classic to an close. For more information about events and activities across the state, visit area convention and visitors bureaus. They are a great source for all of the latest information on events and activities across the state. No matter where you are on the day of West Virginia’s birth, we hope you can celebrate 150 great years in true Mountaineer spirit.
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IN THIS issue spring 2013
Leading by Example
CONSOL Energy’s CEO, Brett Harvey, has a unique perspective to share with readers both within West Virginia and beyond. By Kensie Hamilton
111 Exploring the Exchange
BY PETER BRADY
108 The Master Mentor
Weekend Rolodex 108
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
In the Chef’s Corner
The Figaretti family celebrates decades of success with both their restaurant in Wheeling and their sauce sold nationwide. By Dino Figaretti
Lincoln’s Bodyguard
Find out why Lincoln’s most trusted bodyguard was absent the night of Lincoln’s assassination.
By Bob O’Connor
Without Borders
Get a glimpse of Fiji through this student’s week spent working with the WVU Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. By Erika Allen
Green Living in West Virginia
Two homes in West Virginia standout for their unique blend of beauty, function and energyefficient technology. By Samantha Ricketts 14
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82 123 29 111 114 118 123 126
Without Borders
Notebook
Who Says It’s a Man’s World?
Enjoy an excerpt from the nationally acclaimed book that will help you navigate the pitfalls of the professional world as you work your way to the top. By Emily Bennington
Exploring the Exchange
Learn about the new insurance marketplace established through the Affordable Care Act and what it will mean for you and your family. By Perry Bryant 126 Green Living
63 Wild, 59 Wonderful, Rethinking Wired America’s West EnergyVirginia Policy
Energy
Major Modern Advances
Still images from a Chesapeake Energy video help explain the methods and technologies used to capture natural gas. By Kensie Hamilton
Industry Meets Community
A quiet revolution is taking place in the communities of the Appalachian Region by way of community advisory panels. By Ann Green
Uncensored
Three natural gas executives, who will remain nameless, weigh in on the truths of the energy industry. By Kensie Hamilton
The Big Boom
Learn about how the Marcellus Shale industry is creating a boom for manufacturing.
By Joe Eddy
Misconceptions in the Marketplace There are many misconceptions about fracing. Here’s what three higher education professors have to say about them. By Kensie Hamilton
An Opportunity to Lead
Despite stringent new regulations, find out why coal is still going strong and how the state can still be a global leader. By Chris Hamilton
47 63 67 72 95 77 99 90
86 High-Tech, Down Under
43 Evolving Our Energy Industry
53 America’s Energy Future
Fueling the Future
Natural gas, a fuel source for many years, has recently been taken to new heights. By Travis Buggey
Around the State
The innovative and extraordinary energy feats are many in West Virginia, and we have highlighted them from across the state. By Jennifer Jett
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS 6 Masthead 8 Editor’s Journal 10 In ink 12 in this issue 16 Contributors 99 around the state 130 regional focus 135 marketplace 136 ad finder 16
west virginia executive
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CONTRIBUTORSspring Lisa Affolter Lisa Affolter is a cum laude graduate from Marshall University who received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design in May 2006. In addition to designing magazines, Affolter works on a variety of projects including print advertising, business proposals and Web sites. She may be reached at (304) 941-0600, ext. 12, or via e-mail at lna@wvexecutive.com.
Erika Allen Erika Allen, a native of Wheeling, WV, is a student at West Virginia University (WVU) where she is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Allen is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and WVU Helvetia. She has served as an officer for the West Virginia University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders and has been involved in WVU Conversation Partners. Allen is currently participating in a co-op program with MeadWestvaco in Covington, VA.
Samuel Ameri Samuel Ameri, a professor and chair of the petroleum and natural gas engineering department in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University (WVU), has more than 30 years of service in both the industry and academia and in-depth experience in natural gas and oil extraction. Ameri has developed a high-quality research program in oil and gas recovery and compiled an outstanding record of publications across a wide spectrum of oil and gas issues. Ameri has received numerous awards for his work, including the honor of being named a past Oil and Gas Man of the Year by West Virginia Independent Oil and Gas Association.
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Kashy Aminian Kashy Aminian is a professor of petroleum and natural gas engineering at West Virginia University. He holds a doctorate from University of Michigan and has 30 years of distinguished service in both industry and academia. Aminian has extensive experience in natural gas reservoir and storage engineering. He is the coordinator of the North American Coalbed Methane Forum and serves on the Engineering Accreditation Commission.
Joseph Bird Joseph Bird is a vice president with Chapman Technical Group, an engineering and landscape architectural firm with offices in St. Albans and Buckhannon, WV. He has been involved in the design and construction industry for more than 30 years and has managed and designed projects throughout West Virginia.
Perry Bryant Perry Bryant founded West Virginians for Affordable Health Care after retiring from a 20-year career at the West Virginia Education Association. Bryant holds a degree in sociology from Fairmont State University and did graduate work in public administration at West Virginia University. He has written many times on the Affordable Care Act, including “The Affordable Care Act: Moving Forward in West Virginia” and “The Affordable Care Act: What National Health Care Reform Means for Women and Families.”
Travis Buggey Travis Buggey has worked in the engineering field for more than 16 years, and his professional experience includes liquefied natural gas/compressed natural gas projects, Marcellus Shale water treatment/salt crystallization, landfill gas, alternative energy, algae to biofuel and power plant projects for regulated and deregulated utilities. He has also successfully managed startups in the water treatment, graphite and polyurethane coating sectors. Buggey has written several newsletter articles for, and is a frequent contributor to, The American Entrepreneur radio show.
Bob Chase Bob Chase is a professor and chair of the Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geology at Marietta College where he has served since 1978. Chase holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in petroleum engineering and a Ph.D. in petroleum and natural gas engineering. He has worked for several companies, including Haliburton Services and the Department of Energy, and has served as a consultant for Columbia Gas, NiSource, EQT, CONSOL Energy/CNX and many other companies in the industry. Chase was inducted into the Marietta College Petroleum Engineering and Geology Hall of Fame in 2010 and received an honorary alumnus award in 2011. He may be reached at bob.chase@marietta.edu.
M. Katherine Crockett M. Katherine Crockett is a senior attorney with Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC and a key contributor to the firm’s environmental practice group. She represents a variety of regulated entities, consulting on compliance issues and defending in administrative appeals and litigation.
Joe Eddy Joe Eddy is president and chief executive officer of Eagle Manufacturing Company and chairman of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. He serves on the advisory board for the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business at Marietta College and the foundation board at West Virginia Northern Community College, and he is a regular speaker for the Just Beneath the Surface Alliance. Eddy has held engineering and management positions at Amoco, Gulf Oil, Spectrum Resources and Tazwell Corporation, and he started two companies, Oilfield Services Corp. and Enhanced Technologies. He and his wife, Debbie, reside in Wheeling.
CONTRIBUTORSspring Ann Green Ann Green is the president of Ann Green Communications, a company headquartered in South Charleston, WV, and is nationally recognized as a leader in bridging communications between companies and communities. Green has more than 30 years of experience in consulting with more than 100 companies in 32 states. She holds bachelor’s degrees in history and journalism from Glenville State University and master’s degrees in journalism and behavioral science from West Virginia University. Green has been honored as Practitioner of the Year and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the West Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
Chris Hamilton Chris Hamilton, a native of Wheeling, is the senior vice president of the West Virginia Coal Association where his responsibilities include legislative, regulatory and operational matters that affect the coal industry. A former underground miner and mine foreman, he has owned his own mine safety consulting business and served as a deputy director of the West Virginia Department of Mines. Hamilton serves on the State Board of Coal Mine Health & Safety and the West Virginia Board of Mine Training and Education, and he is co-chairman of the West Virginia Coal Forum.
William Herlihy William Herlihy is a member attorney with Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC and a leader of the firm’s energy and natural resource law groups. He has more than 20 years of experience assisting clients in the areas of energy law, natural resource law and general business acquisitions.
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Jennifer Jett Jennifer Jett is the creative director for Executive Ink, LLC, where her roles as a researcher, writer and editor keep her on her toes. Jett is a graduate of West Virginia State University’s Regents Bachelor of Arts program and a 2012 graduate of Leadership Kanawha Valley. She is an American Cancer Society Relay for Life volunteer, and she spends her free time editing manuscripts, boating on Lake Erie and working on her novel. She resides in Charleston with her cats, Buddy and Jovie.
Maggie Matsko Ma g g i e Ma t s k o , a Delaware native, is a recent graduate of West Virginia University where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in advertising and a master’s degree in journalism. As a student, she served as a public relations intern for the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering and spent her free time as a freelance writer for the Delaware State News. Matsko is an alum member of the National Co-ed Honors Fraternity and Phi Sigma Phi and a recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Advertising Senior Award for the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism.
Bob O’Connor Bob O’Connor is a published author and playwright who lives in Charles Town, WV. His interest in Ward Hill Lamon comes from the fact that Lamon lived in the Charles Town area. O’Connor has published the only book ever written about Lincoln’s bodyguard and edited and published the only book Lamon ever wrote. O’Connor also maintains www.lincolnsbodyguard.com and does first-person living history portrayals of Lamon. He may be reached at author@boboconnorbooks.com.
Samantha Ricketts Samantha Ricketts, a native of Charleston, is a magna cum laude graduate of Concord University where she received bachelor ’s degrees in English writing and Spanish. Before graduating, Ricketts served as editor in chief of the student newspaper, The Concordian, and spent a summer studying abroad in Puerto Rico. She is a freelance writer for West Virginia Executive and the client experience manager for the Kulkarni Law Firm.
Courtney Sisk Courtney Sisk is a public information specialist with the West Virginia Department of Commerce, where she focuses on the areas of energy and work force. Originally from Beckley, she now resides in Scott Depot with her son, Andrew. She is a proud graduate of Marshall University.
Marta Tankersley Marta Tankersley is a communications major at West Virginia State University (WVSU) where she serves as editor in chief of the campus news magazine, The YellowJacket. A 2012 summer intern for West Virginia Executive, Tankersley is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and the West Virginia Filmmaker’s Guild. She was also recently named director of Tower Communications, WVSU’s public relations and marketing firm.
Tracy Toler Tracy Toler scaled Seneca Rocks at the age of 5 and has been reaching new heights ever since. Through his business, Tracy A. Toler Photography, he has become a leading pioneer, serving as creative director and feature photographer for many of the region’s largest magazines. Known among his peers as “Mr. McGyver,” he can fix anything with a bobby pin, rubber band or Swiss Army knife. This comes in handy at home with his wife and two children. Toler may be reached by e-mail at tracytoler@yahoo.com.
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The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial A memorial cannot fill the emptiness when a loved one is lost. When a tragedy scars the heart, a memorial cannot make all things well again, but a memorial is a visible reminder that those who died were loved. It is a tangible tribute to the meaning of their lives, and it is a reminder of the bond we all share as people of a common cultural heritage. The Upper Big Branch (UBB) Miners Memorial commemorates the 29 men lost in the mine explosion on April 5, 2010. In the days following the explosion, a gazebo located on a narrow strip of land in Whitesville, WV, served as the makeshift memorial for family and friends. Flowers, pictures, miners boots and hats, as well as many other personal items, were left as reminders of those who had lost their lives. With the community and the state coming to terms with the magnitude of the disaster, talk of a permanent memorial began. Although other sites might have been more suitable in terms of space and access, they were given little consideration. The site was—and is—hallowed ground for the community. In the year following the disaster, Rob Dinsmore, a landscape architect with Chapman Technical Group in St. Albans, developed the initial concept for the memorial. His sketch depicted silhouettes of the 29 miners etched on a granite monument, the top carved to evoke the mountains of West Virginia. Around the same time, the Upper Big Branch Mining Memorial Group, Inc., had just been formed to oversee the development of the permanent memorial. When the sketch made its way to Sheila Combs, the group’s president, she and the rest of the group knew immediately that it was the right design to honor the victims. Southern West Virginia is rich in cultural heritage and goodhearted people, but with no state or federal funding, the finances to make the memorial a reality had to come through donations. In addition to gifts of cash, including $250,000 from Alpha Natural Resources, individual citizens and companies donated time and materials. Working with Dinsmore’s design, Pray Construction served as the construction manager and coordinated the efforts of all involved. The focal point of the memorial plaza is the 48-foot-long black granite monument. The miners’ silhouettes are pictured on the front of the monument, their names etched on the back,
A Tangible Tribute to the Lives of Those Lost in April 2010
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along with a depiction of the gazebo that served as the makeshift memorial. Other graphics tell the story of the history and cultural heritage of coal mining in West Virginia. The memorial has a physical presence that encourages a tactile experience, and it’s common to see a wife or a child reach up and touch the etchings of the silhouettes. At the base of the monument, stone walls form a trough filled with coal taken from the conveyor belt of the Upper Big Branch Mine on the day of the disaster, a tangible reminder of what the miners labored so hard to produce. The memorial plaza not only serves as the setting for the monument, but is also a place for friends and family to gather. It can be an emotional experience. Behind the monument, the plaza opens up a little wider and provides an area for more quiet contemplation, shielded from the traffic, with the soothing sounds of the Coal River in the background. Donations of money, materials and labor came in from across the nation, enabling the memorial group to expand the plaza to include a First Responders Tribute, as well as another smaller plaza that depicts the events at the Upper Big Branch Mine on April 5, 2010. Materials in the memorial reflect the industrial nature of the mining industry, the natural beauty of Southern West Virginia and the sometimes contradictory nature of the two. The straight lines of the concrete pavement are interrupted by fields of flagstone. Large boulders taken from nearby mountains during the construction of the railroads used to transport coal are incorporated into the planter walls as a reminder of the perseverance of nature. Native trees and shrubs were incorporated into the landscape as much as possible. The Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial is rooted in the rugged landscape of West Virginia; more importantly, it is strongly tied to the cultural heritage of the mining community. On that spring morning three years ago, that community suffered heartbreaking tragedy, and West Virginia and the nation suffered with them. But, as Combs says, “Our community is where the healing begins. It is my hope the UBB Memorial can help provide a sense of peace and healing to all who see it.” By Joseph Bird Photography by Rob Dinsmore
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Young Guns Tom Heywood In 1999, West Virginia Executive named Charleston attorney Tom Heywood to the first class of Young Guns, recognizing his accomplishments to date while predicting his future continued success. Heywood became the managing partner of his firm, Bowles Rice LLP, in 2008. In his 1999 Young Guns interview, Heywood spoke about his straightforward professional style as an attorney and his belief that success is a result of investing time in things that truly matter. For this issue, we sat down with him to find out if his straightforward style still works for him and what advice he would give to young professionals who seek to mirror his accomplishments. WVE: Your Young Guns feature in 1999 stated “His straight-on, honest and open style makes Tom a tremendous advocate and a respected opponent.” How has this kind of approach contributed to your success? TH: You learn a lot about yourself over time, and I think that has been and continues to be an accurate description of my style. How does this contribute to my success? There are three activities I engage in here at the law firm: I am the managing partner at Bowles Rice, so I have a responsibility in terms of leadership of the law firm; I practice law, so I spend time serving clients and I am active in community and civic activities. In my career, I have had many opportunities to be involved in the work of various boards, commissions and study groups, and I think, in part, that is because I am regarded as an honest broker. I think part of that is because people perceive that I can be involved in those positions as a neutral, as a moderator, as a facilitator and as a parliamentarian. WVE: In the same Young Guns profile, you were quoted as saying “Like never before, our success in this exciting time will lie in identifying and spending time
on the things that matter.” Where do your priorities lie and how has identifying and spending time on them shaped your career and success? TH: Certainly for our region right now, we are seeing that oil and gas—the Marcellus Shale and the Utica Shale— are game changers for West Virginia. One of things we are focused on at our firm is helping to capitalize on all of those opportunities for our clients, our state and our region. Certainly you have the direct activities of the oil and gas companies, but the great promise of the Marcellus and Utica is the renaissance of manufacturing and the chemical industry in our region, which will generate a new, strong and robust economy. Those are the opportunities we are facing at this time, and it is the responsibility of our leaders to identify and pursue those opportunities. I really believe we are entering the Golden Era for our state and region, and we are in at the front-end of significant growth. WVE: As someone who is active on many boards and in many
associations, how important would you say community service and being invested in your community is to a young professional? TH: It is extremely important for young professionals to be actively involved, and, as lawyers, I feel it is part of our responsibility to do that. Getting involved is one of the best ways a young professional can gain exposure to leaders of the community without having to do it in a context of a professional engagement, and it’s a terrific opportunity to not only develop skills, but also extend your network. WVE: What advice would you give a young attorney in West Virginia? TH: My biggest advice to young attorneys is to get involved and set your sights high. Among the things we tell young attorneys at our firm is to master your craft and always understand your career is going to have a trajectory. I have always said that if you do good work, it will become known to a larger group of people. By Maggie Matsko
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Spar acino Law Offices Serving all of West Virginia
Attorney Anthony J. Sparacino, Jr., has been practicing law for 30 years. He has a proven record with proven results. He accepts cases involving auto accidents, wrongful deaths, all personal injury, mining and industrial accidents, brain and spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, workplace injuries, nursing home neglect, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful amputation and other catastrophic injuries.
Proud member of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce
117 Appalachian Drive • Beckley, WV 25801 • Free Street-Front Parking 304-255-5842 • 304-673-0611 • barrister1@earthlink.net • www.lawyerbeckley.com
Exploring Energy
A Lesson in Responsible Energy Production West Virginia is in a unique position as a leader in energy production in the United States; however, many do not understand the wide assortment of energy produced in the Mountain State. In an effort to address this lack of awareness, the Sustainability Institute at Bridgemont Community & Technical College and the Morris Creek Watershed Association have developed an educational program about West Virginia’s contributions to this crucial industry. The program, called Energy Development Tours, allows college students from across the country to visit Montgomery, WV, for a week to experience firsthand the state’s variety of energy production possibilities, including coal, natural gas, hydropower and wind, in an objective learning environment. Here, they learn about energy production and consumption, as well as the political, social and economic factors involved. “We want to provide information about the different types of energy production so students can see the complex issues around them and that there really are no energy sources that don’t have impacts,” says Kelly Jo Drey, director of the Sustainability Institute. The tour allows students to get the facts as well as experience the impact on area communities and economies. On the tour, students get to see active sites for both mountaintop and underground mining, a coal-fired power plant, a hydroelectric dam, a wind farm and a Marcellus Shale background drilling site with different types of gas wells. Each company provides a representative for their facility to explain the details of what they do, share information relevant to their industry and explain current trends. In addition, students get classroom time with Bridgemont faculty and guest speakers with energy expertise. The students also have small group discussions about the pros and cons of different types of energy production. “The whole idea is to provide a more objective way to talk about these issues,” explains Drey. “We’re trying to give all the information about all different types of energy production so students can make their own decisions about the right course of action.” In addition to the energy production sites, students also have the opportunity to visit the Morris Creek Watershed. Here, they can see the negative environmental impact of unregulated energy extraction and the current efforts to restore the watershed after having been mined and logged. “Through our energy partners, regulatory agencies and academic, community and watershed members, we have worked to restore this stream. It now supports three species of trout and the benthic population is returning,” says Mike King, stream restoration chair of the Morris Creek Watershed Association. The Energy Development Tours program began just last year but has big hopes. “We feel this experiential education opportunity allows the students to understand energy production in a way that they would not just from a classroom,” says Drey. “The handson component is an important part of the learning process.” “There are many untruthful statements being made from both sides of the energy issue,” says King. “Energy producers,
environmental groups and communities must work toward a better understanding—the future of our country is at stake. We strongly believe we can have responsible energy extraction, environmental protection and community sustainability.” So far, Dartmouth College has participated in the energy tours as an annual alternative spring break program. “These tours are important because these students are coming from a different part of the country, and West Virginia has a unique opportunity to show them where energy comes from,” says Drey. “These kids are future leaders who might later have a say in energy decisions, so it’s important for them to understand the issues.” Patrick Saylor, a freshman at Dartmouth College who participated in the tour program in March, says he did so to learn more about the relationship between economics and environmental concerns and to understand if this gap can be bridged. He also wanted to put a personal face with what he has read about the extractive resource industry. “My experiences in West Virginia included lots of learning,” says Saylor, “especially in areas I did not anticipate. I really valued the local perspectives on the energy industry and how West Virginia has the potential to expand into the renewable energy market in addition to diversifying the state’s economy in industries far beyond energy. I also learned quite a bit about labor history and the foundations of the state that to this day influence regulatory structures and social relations between the coal industry and local communities.” Partners in the tours include Brookfield Renewable Power, American Electric Power, Alpha Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Division of Energy (WVDOE). “As the third most energy-producing state in the U.S., the WVDOE believes it is important for people to realize the breadth and diversity of West Virginia’s energy production capabilities,” says Kelly Bragg, energy development specialist for the WVDOE. “Through the tour, participants can gain an appreciation of the work done by state energy producers.” Still in the early stages of development, Bridgemont has plans to implement geothermal energy into the tour in the future. They also hope to open up the program to others who are interested and those who work in the energy sector, as well as provide college credit for students who visit. “This is an opportunity for people to experience these things firsthand and come to their own conclusions,” says Drey. “It really helps create a dialogue on energy issues.” The Energy Development Tour will also be offered July 17 and 18 as part of the Experience West Virginia program in conjunction with the 2013 National Scouts Jamboree. For this event, an abbreviated version of the tour, with visits to a coal mine, wind farm and hydroelectric dam, is open to the public. By Samantha Ricketts
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When Danger Calls Mine Rescue Competitions Test Miners’ Preparedness As Well As Effectiveness
Coal mining is a dangerous job: always has been and always will be. The men who enter deep within the earth to extract the resource that provides 42 percent of the electrical power in the United States, as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2011, understand the danger. They are also armed with the reassuring knowledge that others have been specially trained to come to their aid in the case of an emergency. These are the members of mine rescue teams. The concept of rescue teams was born from tragedy in the early years of the last century when miners attempted rescues with little safety equipment or training. Eventually, legislation was passed to ensure these rescue teams were adequately trained and prepared in the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), first aid and a variety of tools and equipment unique to the needs of underground rescue. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), formed in 1978, requires that each coal mine have professionally trained and equipped mine rescue teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are very specific criteria for training, and performance requirements are tested regularly in mandatory competitions designed to sharpen skills and build camaraderie. “Competitions were established to provide teams an opportunity to train in a more realistic environment,” says Mike Plumley, a senior safety and loss control consultant for Brickstreet Insurance, director of the Bluefield State College Mine Rescue Competition and director of the Southern West Virginia Mine Rescue Association. “The skills and experiences developed include teamwork, precision, time management, prioritization, communication and ventilation, all taking place in harsh conditions and often requiring rapid response and resolution.” The benefits of the competitions are invaluable. The rescue teams remain up-to-date on safety procedures and protocols and learn to work with other teams both within their own company and within other coal companies, and the coal companies have the opportunity to recognize leadership and management talent within their employees. The competitions are also a great way to build teamwork and efficiency. “Teamwork begins at the mine level with teams spending many hours working together to solve simulations through practices and involvement in the daily activities at the operation to prevent the potential for mine disasters,” says Plumley. “In the event of a real emergency, the relationships they build with other companies’ teams may be crucial to ensuring an efficient working environment when teams from multiple companies are called to respond.” “Team members learn to trust each other,” says Leon Bailey, assistant director of the Southern West Virginia Mine Rescue Contest and Bluefield State Mine Rescue Contest, MSHA and West Virginia state-certified mine rescue trainer, contest judge and
former mine rescue team member. “You really have to trust the person leading you into a mine that has exploded or is on fire.” Raymond Simpson, director and general manager of health and safety at Bluestone Industries, became a mine rescue team member because he wanted to be involved in assisting fellow workers in emergencies. He believes his peers on the team share good leadership skills and uncommon dedication. “Our team was involved in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in April 2010,” says Simpson. “The intense practice and competitions we participated in helped prepare us for the many dangerous conditions we encountered there.” The teams, 14 currently active in West Virginia, are composed of a briefing officer, five working members and two alternates. In order to be considered for a team, coal miners must have at least three years of on-the-job experience; complete a medical examination; complete 31 hours of initial training on SCBA use, care and maintenance; possess a current first-aid training certificate and pass a practical examination. Each rescue team member must also complete 40 hours of additional training annually. It is an elite group whose understanding of mine safety propels them into leadership roles within the industry. “These employees are the cream of the crop,” says Bailey. “Many of the young miners I have worked with are now vice presidents, superintendents and mine management officials.” Training includes techniques for rescue operations following explosions, cave-ins and other emergency situations. Men are taught about mine maps, ventilation and the use of rescue equipment. Each team member carries an SCBA with a four-hour oxygen supply and an equipment load of approximately 50 pounds including a battery belt with tools and poisonous gas testers. Mine rescue teams compete on a local, regional and national level during summer months. Teams are assigned to work through emergency scenarios in four modules: mine rescue, first aid, testing and repair of SCBAs and emergency medicine. Some contests also have a pre-shift module to test the skills of mine foremen who perform pre-shift safety examinations. The main objectives are to explore and document existing conditions, take steps to restore a safe working environment, account for missing miners and bring survivors to safety. The conditions in a compromised coal mine are dangerous. According to descriptions from the MSHA Web site, “The torturous footing involves anything from mud and water to downed timbers and roof falls. Sometimes the atmosphere resembles that of another planet, with poisonous amounts of carbon monoxide and explosive layers of methane.” “It takes a special person,” says Bailey, “to run into a mine that’s on fire while everyone else is trying to escape.” With that in mind, one can only consider the invaluable wisdom, experience, strength and drive that exists within a mine rescue team. By Marta Tankersley
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Living the history, loving the fun! Go Underground!
Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine complex offers an in-depth look at the legacy of the coal industry in West Virginia. The underground tour, led by experienced coal miners, will take you 1,500 feet into the mountainside to experience the history of low-seam coal mining from the hand-loading days into the modern era. Other site attractions: Mine Museum, Rahall Company Store, Coal Company House, Superintendent's Home, Coal Camp Church and School, Gift Shop, and Fudgery.
Kid stuff! Awarding winning handson children’s museum featuring three new exhibits yearly, puzzle room, planetarium and gift shop.
See life as it used to be!
A recreated typical Appalachian frontier settlement. Trained interpreters explain the historical importance of each of the eight buildings. An authentic experience!
Open April 1 - November 1 Daily 10:00 - 6:00 pm • 2 1/2 miles from Exit 44 off Interstate I-77
304-256-1747 • 304-252-3730 • beckley.org • New River Park ©2013 Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. All Rights Reserved.
Editor’s Note: Emily Bennington, the co-author of “Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job,” has authored a new book called “Who Says It’s a Man’s World: The Girls’ Guide to Corporate Domination.” Launched in early 2013, this new book provides guidance in avoiding corporate pitfalls for career women, including steps to enhance your reputation, first-person narratives of hard-learned lessons by other successful women executives and templates, worksheets and tools for accelerating your personal growth. This is an excerpt from “Who Says It’s a Man’s World.” For more information on Bennington, her work as an author and speaker or where to purchase her books, visit www.emilybennington.com.
Six Ways to Earn Respect Under the Corporate Umbrella … and Seven Ways to Screw It Up Royally Having worked in both small businesses and corporate environments, I can tell you there’s a huge difference between the two. Small businesses typically have more wildfire cultures where everyone is expected to do 20 things at once, such as write the proposal, bind the doc, package it, and call FedEx to pick it up at the same time. There’s no such thing as flying under the radar, and if you don’t have the answer, well, you figure it out. I learned this lesson firsthand just a few months into my career while working for a small business where one of my first jobs was to help our team manage a large conference. On the day of the event itself, I watched in mild amusement as our team leader—I’ll call her Brenda—strapped on roller skates—yes, roller skates— to make speedy trips from building to building. Small business employees reading this may not agree with the tactic, but will certainly recognize the scrappy ingenuity you have to display when things need to get done and there’s no extra money or help to do them. And while I have to tip my hat to Brenda’s creativity, I can tell you that she wouldn’t have lasted long in corporate life. That’s because big business is more of a controlled, slow burn. This isn’t to say things don’t get busy (ha!), only that it’s easier to shuffle the ball under the coconut … to find someone else to mail the package—and to blame them if it doesn’t arrive on time. In large organizations, there are usually lead characters and supporting cast. The stars themselves can’t hide, of course, but their shadow is often broad enough that others can take cover.
Two Different Cultures, Two Different Games When I transitioned from a series of small business employers to a corporate position, it was like sliding into a pair of skinny jeans. Tight, yet oddly comfortable. I loved the fact that my coworkers used terms like v1 (translation: the first draft), processing in real time (translation: thinking out loud), and under development (translation: this task is totally behind). I had a courier service, mileage reimbursement (without the guilt at least), two monitors, and a personal conference call line. It was awesome. Still, I quickly realized there were some adjustments to make for anyone transitioning to corporate life.
Six Ways to Earn Respect Under the Corporate Umbrella 1. Pay attention to your title. A few years ago, the accounting firm I worked for was merging with a much larger company. Naturally, there were a million and one details that went along with this transaction, from ordering signage and stationery to informing clients and media, combining records, introducing staff … the list was overwhelming. Still, there was one “tiny” detail that caused major gridlock: the org chart. “You’ve never seen anything like it,” said one of the partners. “Everyone was absolutely consumed with where they fell on that document.” At the time I remember thinking this reaction was over-the-top and totally egotistical. In my small biz role, no one had the luxury of
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worrying about pecking order—which would have been ridiculous anyway, since there were so few of us. I’ve since learned that in the corporate space your title and position really do matter … a lot. Right or wrong, it’s how other people judge your value to the organization which, right or wrong, does make a difference in how they treat you. That’s why I hate it when I hear women say things like, “I don’t need a fancy title—I just want to be known as the person who gets the job done.” Bullshit. You need both. 2. Know what you’re responsible for now. Before I signed on to join the accounting firm, I met with the managing partner for breakfast. A week earlier he had sent me an e-mail saying that if I ever wanted to leave the small marketing agency I worked for, he had a “nice, cushy job” waiting. He wasn’t kidding. The hostess had barely seated us before he was offering me a new position at double my current salary. “What would I be doing?” I asked. “Marketing,” he said. “Great,” I said. “So what does that mean? What are the responsibilities of the job?” He didn’t know. It was a new position and everything was still up in the air. While I was still wildly tempted to scream “Yes!” and jump out of my chair with a celebratory fist-pump, I kept my cool and accepted the offer under one condition: I had to have a job description. At the time, my chief concern was that “marketing” could be secret code for “admin” and I’d wind up being his de facto executive assistant. I wanted to protect myself by making sure that we were on the same page about what I was responsible for (and what I wasn’t), who I would report to, and how my success would be measured. This was—without question—one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my career. If you don’t have a job description in place right now, don’t wait until your performance review—bring it up with your supervisor ASAP. (Yes, even if you’ve been in your position for years.) Assuming you want to move up, you need to be clear on precisely what your current role is so that you can make a case for a promotion when you’ve mastered it. Make sense? Likewise, never accept a new position—even an internal one—without getting your responsibilities and reporting structure in writing. Better to be smart now than sorry later. 3. Know what you want next. Recently I met a program manager at Microsoft who has managed to make herself reDONKulously valuable in a short amount of time. First, she spearheaded a high-profile volunteer project for the company—and masterfully promoted it by getting senior leaders to write about it on their blogs. Then, to capitalize on her increased visibility—she created a 15-slide “Career Development Plan” PowerPoint that outlined her values, passions, achievements, competencies, future goals, and testimonials from other employees who had worked with her. She said she regularly sends the doc to execs within Microsoft with an invitation for a brief chat. To date, she has never been
turned down. But more than that, her development plan initially outlined her desire to move to the United States from her native Australia and—you guessed it—she is now enjoying the view from her new office outside Seattle. “All I had to do was prove myself, then make it clear what I wanted,” she said, “and things started lining up for me in that direction.” Amen, sister. 4. Watch your image. In the corporate world, you are expected to look the part. So look the part because when your appearance is a wreck people automatically assume your whole life is a wreck. 5. Keep the “confidential” confidential. While serving as marketing director for the accounting firm, I found myself responsible for the logistics of our big merger announcement. Imagine the scene: You show up in the morning on what you think will be a routine work day only to find a series of trolley cars outside your office. You and all of your colleagues aren’t given any information other than to jump onboard where everyone is driven to a nearby auditorium. Next thing you know—surprise!— your firm has a new name and—surprise!—you now have new offices throughout the Southeastern United States and— surprise!—your career track looks totally different. (Yeah, that’s really how it went down.) As you can guess, it took a ton of moving parts to make this happen without tipping anyone off, and the fact that I was able to quietly work on the project without any I-know-somethingyou-don’t-know hints to colleagues scored major points with my boss. Coming from a small business environment where everyone knew even the tiniest details about everything, I learned the importance of discretion within large companies. Our merger— which had been in the works for months—was emphatically denied right up until the point we made the announcement. This wasn’t about duping people—it was about controlling the message. And to earn trust, you have be someone who can do that well. 6. Have patience with the process. I worked in my first job out of college for exactly two and a half weeks before I was promoted. One day, while casually passing my boss in the hallway, she stopped me and said, “You have a degree, right?” I said I did and that was that. Poof! I was the new account coordinator. But things don’t typically go down like that in corporate environments. When you’re hired, you’re usually in your position for at least a year before you would even be considered to move up. I once interviewed a young woman within a Fortune 50 organization who said she was frustrated with her career path because she was in a position that had a two-year promotion track. “Two years is like a decade to me,” were her exact words. I had to laugh at that … but I get it. When you’re ambitious, it’s frustrating to appear powerless over the timing of your own success. Not to mention, it’s easy to feel as if you’re falling behind when we’re all surrounded by tales of 27-year-old CEOs. That said, any decision made out of impatience usually turns out to be the wrong one—especially major career decisions. This
doesn’t mean you should become complacent by any stretch, but it does mean that you should have a modicum of respect for the established protocols within your organization and be willing—again—to see the bigger picture. There are a lot of circumstances around a promotion that you may not be privy to just yet. For example, if you are a new grad and were hired in a wave of other new grads, how would it look to everyone else if you were promoted in six months? Even if you deserve it, there still needs to be a plan in place for how managers will handle inquiries from everyone else wondering when it’s going to be their turn. Get it? It’s not just about you.
raise, extra vacation hours, or even all three) is acceptable. It’s not. You have a life. But I am saying that—as with everything else—you have to give to get. If you want to advance in your career, you have to see beyond what’s most convenient for you at any given time and consider what’s best for your team and the company overall. This also goes for turning in an expense report every single time you pay a toll or buy a stamp. Yes, that $1.65 is owed to you, but it’s another one of those “little” things that scream I’m-only-here-because-you-pay-me. If you have a worthy report, by all means file to be reimbursed. But if you just spotted the client a coffee last month and that’s all—let it go.
Seven Ways to Royally Screw Up Your Reputation
5. Unresponsiveness. Good grief, people—ignored e-mail does not mean no. It only means the sender has to wonder if her e-mail is in your junk folder, if you haven’t made a decision yet, or if you’re just avoiding her. Either way, it’s rude. Obviously, this advice doesn’t apply to messages where you’re cc’d or messages that don’t require a direct response; even so, if someone has taken the time to reach out to you personally, for Pete’s sake respect the person enough to respond—even if your answer isn’t what she wants to hear.
1. Making stupid excuses. “But no one told me … But I never received any guidance … But no one got back to me.” Ugh … work victims suck. If you don’t have answers, ask questions. Ask for clarifications up front and feedback along the way, and be open to any and all critiques without getting your undies in a bind. Maybe even turn in a rough version of whatever you are working on to your supervisor while it’s in progress to see if you’re on the right track. Then check in, asking questions like, “How am I doing? Does this meet your expectations? Is there anything I can improve upon?” You don’t want to birddog your boss or clients to the point of annoyance, but you do want to get answers on the front end so that you don’t have to make lame “but I didn’t know how” excuses on the back end. 2. Missing deadlines. If you want to earn respect, be the person who doesn’t need an e-mail reminder to get your work done. That means if the deadline is on the 24th of the month, you deliver by 5:00 p.m. on the 24th, not before midnight on the 25th or!—worse!—after the client emails you to see what’s up. 3. Poor meeting prep. Can we all quit sending review docs and slide decks 60 seconds before the meeting starts? Thanks. 4. Being tit-for-tat on time and money. I once had a manager tell me of an employee who had a 5:00 p.m. flight to a regional sales meeting. Since the flight was two hours long, she figured her workday would end around 7:00 p.m. Therefore, she felt completely justified in her request to show up that morning at 10:30 a.m.—not because she had something important to handle, mind you, but because she considered anything past 5:00 p.m. overtime and, even though she was salaried, she thought the company owed her those two hours. Now … this is a person who worked in a showroom where anyone’s absence meant the rest of the team had to work harder to pick up the slack. So here’s how the story ends: Not only did her manager flatly deny her request to come in late but—in that instant—any leadership equity she had built with him was damaged. (Note: If you can’t see a thing wrong with the employee’s request, you’re probably reading the wrong book.) To be clear, I’m not telling you that regular 60+ hour workweeks with no added compensation from the company (a promotion,
6. Being the center of your own jokes. Self-depreciating humor is exactly that. Self-depreciating. It makes you small. When you tell a joke at your own expense—about your weight, your abilities, your “blonde moments,” whatever—you may think it’s harmless or that you’re just having fun. Nope. What you’re really doing is affirming that negative perception in your own mind and in the mind of others. That’s because every thought you think and word you say has energy attached to it. Highlevel thoughts and words have high-level energy while—you guessed it—low-level thoughts and words have low energy. Each will become like a magnet in your life. In order for others to respect you, you have to respect yourself first. If that’s too “woo-woo” for you, just remember my friend “Amy.” (And, no, that’s not her real name.) Early in her career while trying to be “one of the girls,” Amy made a joke about meeting up with her boyfriend for a red-hot lunch special (yeah, it’s what you think it is). That tryst earned her the nickname “nooner,” which, unfortunately, spread like wildfire through the office gossip channels. Poor, Amy. What started as a tiny joke ended up putting a sizable dent in her reputation at work. But before you accuse me of being the mean headmistress, I should point out that—yes- I’m very aware that a robust sense of humor is required to survive in business. (Perhaps now more than ever.) That said, it’s one thing to know how to take or tell a joke, and something entirely different to “make” yourself a joke. When you turn yourself into a punching bag, you are subtly giving others permission to do the same. 7. Missing the small stuff. Think details don’t matter? Tell that to the graduates of the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson “School of Pubic Affairs.” Whoever let that typo appear on the commencement booklet—true story—has certainly learned the, um, hard way that “little” things are actually quite big.
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The highest quality products are only part of the picture. Most important is our desire to help you enjoy your water-related activities as much as you possibly can. This desire has led us to provide true “one-stop shopping” to make your boating experience pleasant and hassle-free. Not only do we offer Sea Ray runabouts and cruisers, Bennington pontoons, a complete accessory store and a well-trained and equipped service department but we also have an 85-space marina and ample on-shore storage for our customers’ boats. Our goal is to provide whatever product, service or attention necessary for you to enjoy boating! Our hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sundays and evenings by appointment. 1601 Bowne Avenue • Charleston, WV 25303 • (304) 744-3324 • www.charlestonmarine.com
Movin’ On Up By Kensie Hamilton
As the state’s premier
business publication, West Virginia Executive often celebrates the successes and longevity of businesses in the Mountain State. As the magazine approaches its 15th year in print, the owners are celebrating the magazine’s own successes, including Executive Ink’s recent move to Downtown Charleston. When the One Twenty Capitol Group, new owners of Charleston’s historic Terminal Building, took over the eight floors of prime commercial real estate on the corner of Capitol Street and Kanawha Boulevard, Executive Ink jumped at the opportunity to relocate its offices to the thriving downtown area. West Virginia Executive officially opened its new location with an open house in February. The Terminal Building, with its historic stone work, unique design and spectacular view of the Kanawha River, has been proudly standing in Charleston since 1910. The building is a Beaux-Arts style structure that features a rounded corner entrance and 14-foot glass windows on the first floor. The Terminal Building has a classical-style cartouche and corner gable with a creamcolored terra cotta trim, parapet and cornice. Originally known as the National City Bank building, the eight-story building also housed the K&M Railroad Company on the top
three floors. After standing empty for five years, the new owners are breathing new life into this stunning structure by blending historic details with modern elements. We wanted to continue those design elements in our new second floor location. When we started this project, the first thing we did was enlist the help of interior designer Laura McCutcheon of McCutcheon & Co. She worked tirelessly—not to mention patiently—to find all the right colors, fabrics and design elements to make our floor a masterpiece. We also enlisted the help of several other West Virginia companies to make our new home come together to create an elegant, classy and creative-friendly environment for our staff. The office furniture was designed by Contemporary Galleries. The furniture, including desks, credenzas, hutches, filing cabinets and chairs, are part of the Jesper Collection, which can be configured to fit any space. Our reception area and two small conference tables were custom ordered from Wells Home Furnishings and feature items from Norwalk and Thomasville’s Renovations Collection. It is said that accent lighting is the jewelry to a beautiful space, and that is absolutely true of our new office. With Edison Bulbs featured throughout, the
fun and functional lighting was ordered from Ferguson’s Electric, as well as some of the bathroom fixtures. Darin Fisher Designer Kitchens does more than kitchens. In our case, they also helped outfit the bathrooms and a cabinet for the conference room. Tracy Toler, owner of Tracy A. Toler Photography, has been the photographer for the West Virginia Executive for six years. So, when it came time to choose art for our new office walls, we knew just who to ask for help. McCutcheon suggested early in the planning stage for the new space that images from the magazine be used for the office’s art. Thanks to our talented photographer, we are able to showcase images from across the Mountain State throughout our new space. STICK, LLC in Morgantown has made it possible for us to create custom graphics for our new home, including logo accents for the large interior windows and stickers to make the staircase leading to our office look like a stack of our magazines. On February 28 we held an open house to officially unveil our new office. The owners of the Terminal Building graciously allowed us to use The Grand Lobby on the first floor for part of our celebration. Photography by Tracy Toler The Grand Lobby and other floors of the building are available for rent. Please visit www.TerminalBuildingWV.com for more information.
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When the One Twenty Capitol Group, new owners of Charleston’s historic Terminal Building, took over the eight floors of prime commercial real estate on the corner of Capitol Street and Kanawha Boulevard, Executive Ink jumped at the opportunity to relocate its offices to the thriving downtown area.
“It was a unique project blending the historic architecture with the personality of the magazine’s staff. The design and paint colors were chosen in order to enhance the beautiful architectural elements of the Terminal Building.” —Laura McCutcheon, McCutcheon & Co.
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“We’re very excited to have West Virginia Executive as our anchor tenant in the building. We look forward to showing the rest of the building to the business community as the restorations continue.” —Michael Glasser, One Twenty Capitol Group
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1210 Smith Street, Charleston, WV | 304-344-1231 | www.cgwv.com
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Energy 2013
FACES OF THE INDUSTRY
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Evolving Our Energy Industry The Five-Year Plan
“Our approach is truly an allof-the-above strategy including advanced coal technologies, natural gas production and utilization of biomass, hydro, wind and solar power.” —Jeff Herholdt
By Courtney Sisk
The only thing constant in life is
change, and there’s no exception in the energy industry. As West Virginia’s energy industry grows and thrives, one goal of the state’s new five-year energy plan is to maintain its position as an energy leader. West Virginia is blessed with many natural resources that provide energy not only for the almost 2 million residents of the state but millions more around the country. When the West Virginia Division of Energy (WVDOE) was formed by legislation in 2007, it was charged with writing five-year energy plans for the state. The legislation specifically mandated that these plans look at fossil fuels, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The plan for 2013-2017, presented to the West Virginia Legislature in March, analyzes and recommends policies to guide the state in meeting its future energy needs in a cost-effective and sustainable manner while fostering an innovative clean energy economy. Analysis and projections for the plan were contributed by Tom Witt, former director of Bureau of Business and Economic Research at West Virginia University; Cal Kent, former vice president of Business and Economic Research at Marshall University and Christine Risch, director of research for the Center for Business and Economic Research at Marshall University. Public comments that helped shape the plan were accepted online and at three meetings held in Huntington, Morgantown and Martinsburg in September 2012. “Our approach is truly an all-of-the-above strategy including advanced coal technologies, natural gas production and utilization of biomass, hydro, wind and solar power,” says Jeff Herholdt, director of the West Virginia Division of Energy. “There’s opportunity for all the energy sectors in our five-year plan.”
Fossil Fuels West Virginia leads the nation in underground coal production with more than 83 million tons produced from underground mines alone in 2011. Coal is mined in 30 counties, but citizens in the remaining 25 counties benefit from coal severance taxes. More than half of the nation’s electricity is generated from coal. In West Virginia, 96 percent of the generated electricity comes from coal, and for the country, coal remains the top energy resource for electricity at 42 percent of the total generation. With the recent declines in coal consumption, West Virginia looks for new opportunities to ensure coal ExEdge use. The five-year plan calls for the state The Industrial to partner with industry to continue Assessment development of polygeneration plants Center at that can convert coal to liquids. The West Virginia coal-to-liquids facility—to be located University has been in operation in Mingo County—could provide up since 1991 with to 18,000 barrels of synthetic fuel and grant support 300 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas from the U.S. per day, using 3 million tons of coal Department of Energy. annually. These products can be used as a chemical feedstock or transportation fuel. Source: In a time when coal-powered electric http://www2. cemr.wvu. plants are closing around the country, edu/~wwwiac/ the five-year plan recommends that West Virginia advocate for retaining coal-powered electric generation to ensure affordable electricity for residential, commercial and industrial users and market the state as a location where industrial energy users can access this cheaper form of reliable electricity. West Virginia’s oil and gas industry has shaped the way we live today and will continue to significantly impact our future. West Virginia is one of several states that is home to the Marcellus Shale, which some geologists estimate is enough to supply the
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entire East Coast for more than 50 years. In 2011, West Virginia produced more than 400 billion cubic feet of natural gas, a 35 percent increase over 2010’s production. The goal of the state’s Marcellus Shale Task Force is to research and develop economic opportunities related to the retrieval and production of natural gas. The energy plan advises continuing the efforts of the task force in attracting downstream petrochemical manufacturing facilities and determining the potential opportunities for additional value-added energy investments within the state. West Virginia’s $10 million Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Corridor is now in the beginning stages. The first phase of the project will include stations in Bridgeport, Charleston and Jane Lew. The corridor, a first of its kind of initiative in the state since the discovery of the Marcellus Shale, will service the growing number of West Virginia businesses and citizens who are converting to natural gas vehicles as a way to save money and use clean, domestic fuel. The energy plan recommends the state promote these vehicles for local government and private sector fleets, as well as determine
the commercial feasibility of expanding hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
Renewable Energy While coal is and will continue to be the principal energy resource for making electricity in West Virginia, wind energy is becoming a player as well. West Virginia is home to five wind farms and has an additional farm currently in development. The wind power in the state is some of the strongest in the nation. The energy plan discusses maintaining the current state legislative policy for wind. The two existing state tax incentives for commercial wind development have allowed some cost savings for developers while also assisting the development of wind resources in rural areas of West Virginia. Given that most of West Virginia’s wind projects are located on surface-mined land, it’s also recommended the state extend efforts to determine if adequate wind resources exist to support commercial wind development on additional surface-mined sites. West Virginia is also taking a bold and progressive approach toward hydropower to increase the utilization of this baseload
renewable energy source. Summersville, Hawks Nest and New Martinsville are West Virginia’s leading hydropower plants, producing hundreds of thousands of megawatt hours per year of renewable power for the West Virginia electricity market. The energy plan recommends the state determine if there are public sites such as recreational areas that are not currently served by electrical connections for which development of mini- and microscale hydropower is appropriate. West Virginia is supportive of private sector solar development as well. The fiveyear plan suggests that the state maintain current policies toward solar energy, such as tax credits for installing solar panels, and continue to monitor developments in solar technology. Current net metering and interconnection standards enable solar power generators to sell excess electric production back into the grid. Should commercial geothermal generation opportunities become a reality, the plan states that tax credits similar to those provided to the wind industry could be considered in order to promote the development of commercial geothermal projects. The plan also recommends collecting data on using wood biomass for electricity, promoting the use of wood pellets in residential and commercial buildings, continuing to monitor developments in the utilization of landfill gas as a fuel and utilizing poultry litter as a fuel source or value-added product.
Energy Efficiency
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/state/?sid=WV
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West Virginia has been providing strong support for the manufacturing industry through the E3 program alliance with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. This alliance provides energy efficiency services to industrial manufacturing facilities and small businesses around the state through energy assessments and carbon footprint analyses. The goal is to assess the energy use of these companies and help them find ways to use it more efficiently, thereby saving money. Another integral component of energy efficiency in West Virginia is West Virginia University’s Industrial Assessment Center (WVU IAC). One of only 24 centers in the U.S., WVU IAC provides extensive energy analyses to large manufacturers in the state. The energy plan endorses this assistance to
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov/state/seds/sep_prod/pdf/P2.pdf
manufacturing and small businesses and provides energy services to manufacturers in order to maintain a competitive advantage in energy costs. This enables West Virginia to preserve its low energy cost environment, which is also a recruitment and retention incentive for energy-intensive industries. The plan also recommends that training on energy codes and energy-efficient building components be made available to home builders and local governments, and benchmark programs for state, county school systems and local governments be established there. Benchmarking tools, such as the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager, will allow decision-makers to effectively assess the energy efficiency and necessary actions needed to increase energy savings in their facilities. Energy stands as one of the strengths of West Virginia’s economy. The state is taking a lead in meeting the country’s energy needs through traditional resources and advanced technology. Through the WVDOE, the Mountain State is committed to achieving a comprehensive energy policy and plan that is technically feasible, environmentally responsible and financially sound for the benefit of all West Virginians.
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Revitalizing Communities SINCE 1997 • AAA HOUSING affordable, adequate and available
The Housing Development Corporation is a private 501c3 organization dedicated to developing, managing, preserving and maintaining affordable housing for a variety of populations in desperate need of adequate, affordable and, most importantly, available housing. Our organization works to provide holistic housing services that not only build the units and structures but also work to ensure the occupants have the decent quality of life everyone deserves.
Since our inception, we have developed more than 550 units, which we now manage. We understand financing, construction and operations. If you have a desire to give back to your community by contributing to affordable housing, we can help you find a way to participate.
We operate and manage all types of affordable housing, including: public housing; Section 8, 811 and 202 assisted housing; rural housing and properties owned by private owners. We understand asset management and will help your property cash flow. We are the best affordable senior housing provider in the state. We have either converted or are in the process of converting more than six school structures across the state to house seniors and all are accessible. Our new buildings are state-of-the-art facilities and enhance the communities where they are located.
Our family housing is built strong, built to last and amenable to family living. We establish communities that meld into the fabric of the neighborhoods and bring value to those neighborhoods.
We have special working relationships with care providers who focus on the areas of mental health, developmental disabilities, domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, veterans and others.
We continue to place the working poor in affordable homes. The average cost of each home is $130,000 with special financing, and we can build one of these homes and place a buyer in the home within six months.
We specialize in nonprofit ownership of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, and we partner with other nonprofits and for-profit developers. We also specialize in the conversion of historic buildings, schools and other large structures to affordable housing. If you would like to see your donations make a difference in the affordable housing sector, make plans to give to The Housing Development Corporation. We can tell you specifically how your donation will help with affordable housing for those in need and, if requested, we will send you pictures of the finished product. Call Marsha Ibos 304- 526-4400 ext. 115.
300 7th Avenue West • Huntington, WV 25701 • 304-526-4400
Major Modern Advances Horizontal Drilling By Kensie Hamilton
Natural gas fracing has been around
since the 1940s and has a long history in the Mountain State. Through the major advances made in the past decade, this process has been combined with horizontal drilling techniques to increase productivity and decrease impact on the landscape. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, and this story features 11. In response to the many questions and misinformation circulating not only about how a natural gas well is drilled but also about the steps taken to ensure it is drilled safely, Chesapeake Energy has designed a step-by-step video to help people better understand the methods and technologies used to capture natural gas. This video helps lay to rest the fears produced by that misinformation and features an explanation as to how modern horizontal drilling is used to capture the same amount of gas as 32 traditional vertical wells with much less impact on the surface. The images featured in this story are still images taken from the drilling video. You can find the full video at Chesapeake’s Web site in the animations section at www.chk.com/Media/Educational-Library.
Utilizing heavy-duty industrial strength drill bits, a typical well is drilled in several stages, starting with a large-diameter drill bit and then successively smaller drill bits as the drilling advances.
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During drilling, specially prepared drilling mud is used to cool and lubricate the drill bit while bringing cuttings to the surface. Air drilling techniques are typically used in the initial portion of the wellbore to protect freshwater zones.
In the Marcellus region, the freshwater zone extends approximately 800 feet below ground and is made up of porous, water-bearing rock strata. Between the bottom of the wellbore and the freshwater zone are nonporous, impenetrable rock strata that can separate the bottom of the wellbore from the freshwater zone by more than a mile.
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After each stage of drilling is complete, the casing is cemented firmly inside of the wellbore. To do this, a specialized tool is lowered into the wellbore that centers the casing inside the well and allows cement to be pumped into the wellbore.
Cement is pumped down through the surface casing and up along the sides of the well to provide a proper seal. This completely isolates the well from the deepest of private or municipal water wells.
After the vertical portion of the well has been drilled, operators remove the drill string and attach a special tool that allows the driller to gradually turn the drill bit horizontally into the gas-producing shale. This turn can take around 1,000 feet to complete, and the horizontal leg of the well can extend out more than a mile.
Throughout the drilling process, multiple layers of protective casing are installed and cemented into the wellbore to isolate the flow of natural gas and protect groundwater sources. From largest to smallest: conductor casing, surface casing, production casing and production tubing.
This cross-section shows the seven layers of protection used in a standard Marcellus well. From the outside in: cement, conductor casing, cement, surface casing, drilling mud, production casing and the production tubing through which natural gas will flow to the surface.
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Development of a 1,280-acre tract of land using conventional vertical drilling techniques could require as many as 32 vertical wells with each having its own multi-acre pad site.
Since horizontal wells contact more of the gas-producing shale, fewer wells are needed to optimally develop a gas field. Multiple wells can be drilled from a single pad site. One multi-well pad site with horizontal wells can effectively recover the same natural gas reserves from the 1,280-acre tract of land while reducing the overall surface disturbance by 90 percent.
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EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS, REMARKABLE RESULTS Hannah Engineering is a West Virginia Corporation located in Elkins. Since 1978 we have provided professional Engineering services to Public and Private Entities, specializing in Civil, Natural Gas and Mining applications. Over the years we have grown in size and experience, but our values have remained constant: “To provide solid, workable designs and projects at reasonable fees.” Hannah Engineering maintains a staff of resident Professional Engineers, Draftpersons, Survey Crews, Inspectors, Technicians, Computer Specialists, Certified Miners, Electricians and Administrative Personnel. Our expertise includes: • Design of Gas Well Sites, Roads, Fresh Water Impoundments, Sewer and Water Projects, Coal Mines and Railroads • Environmental Permitting • Above Ground and Underground Surveying • Contract Management • Inspection & Nuclear Density Testing • Various Source Funding Procurement • ISNetworld Safety Certified
PO Box 2058 • Elkins, WV 26241 (304) 636-7777 www.hannahengineering.com
America’s Energy Future Identifying the
Correct Carbon Mix
If anyone should desire to eliminate our traditional energy sources, can so-called “green energy” fill the gap?
By William Herlihy and M. Katherine Crockett
Over the past four years,
the federal government has established an antagonistic regulatory environment toward the coal and natural gas industries, which are the major economic engines for the Appalachian Basin and have accounted for our historically low energy costs. In West Virginia and the surrounding energy states, we’ve seen the negative impact of tightened regulatory policies on these industries. If anyone should desire to eliminate our traditional energy sources, can so-called “green energy” fill the gap? After the re-election of President Barack Obama, what will the next four years look like for the energy industry as a whole?
President Obama’s First Term The Obama Administration has done its best to curtail coal mining in the Appalachian Basin. In candid moments, President Obama has stated that “if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all the greenhouse gas that’s being emitted.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has blocked the issuance of most new surface mining permits and, in an unprecedented maneuver, rescinded an existing mining permit. Through more restrictive proposed stream protection and water quality requirements, the EPA will ensure new surface mines and disposal sites for underground mines will not be
feasible in the future. On the consumption side, more stringent emission regulations by the EPA have ensured few if any new coal-burning power stations will be constructed to replace those being decommissioned. Due to these policies, the coal mining industry in our region has lost more than 5,000 jobs in the past year, according to state employment figures from Kentucky and West Virginia. The horizontal drilling revolution in the Marcellus and Utica shales has ExEdge also caught the attention of federal Born in the regulators. The EPA recently issued wake of elevated new air pollution standards for oil and concern about gas well completion operations, natural environmental pollution, the gas compressor stations and natural Environmental gas processing plants. It also plans to Protection propose new discharge standards for Agency was wastewater from shale gas extraction established on December operations in 2014. Despite a total lack 2, 1970. of evidence to support the supposed threat of groundwater contamination Source: http:// www2.epa. from hydraulic fracturing operations, gov/aboutepa/ the EPA continues to fuel the public epa-history hysteria surrounding that time-tested practice. These federal policies not only deprive our region of much-needed economic benefits during a period of prolonged recession, but they also ignore the reality that so-called “green energy sources” cannot fulfill the energy needs of our country.
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Green Energy Sources Representing only a fraction of the nation’s energy future, wind farms for the generation of electric energy have been sited throughout the country. Existing wind farms in the East have not degraded our other natural resources, and this energy niche offers both economic opportunity and future diversity in power generation in our region. Applying current technology, solar energy facilities cost much more to site than the resources they conserve in energy production. Generous governmental subsidies, such as the hundreds of millions of dollars expended on the Solyndra project, have failed to create cost-effective solar energy. This is not a phenomenon confined to the United States; China’s Wuxi Suntech solar project recently fell into bankruptcy due to the lack of demand for its solar panels despite the Chinese government’s heavy subsidy. Renewable energy sources alone cannot come close to meeting this country’s total energy demands for the foreseeable future. Independent studies such as the National Intelligence Council’s “Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds” and the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s “Annual
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Energy Outlook 2013” demonstrate that even under the most optimistic scenarios, hydroelectric, solar, wind and other renewable energy sources will support less than 30 percent of our nation’s energy needs by 2050.
Carbon-Based Energy Sources Under these circumstances, natural gas and coal are the logical foundation fuels to carry us toward a renewable and more energy-efficient fuel mix and should be embraced as such. Federal and state governments should collaborate to promote cleaner and more efficient use of these traditional fuel sources, while a recovering economy should eventually support a more robust share of renewable energy sources through anticipated market forces. Due to a lack of economically realistic alternatives, Appalachian coal will undoubtedly continue to be a major component of power generation and steel manufacturing for years to come, both domestically and internationally. Instead of imposing unrealistic regulations on the coal mining industry, the federal government should focus on subsidizing clean-coal technology. Barriers to the export of coal should be eliminated to increase demand and,
thus, increase domestic coal prices, making renewable energy sources more attractive. At the state level, governments should lower tax rates on coal to encourage future production and increase overall public revenues. The emergence of unconventional oil and natural gas shale reserves has the potential to revolutionize our domestic economy, dramatically reducing our country’s overall cost of energy and relieving our dependence on foreign sources of oil. States should be allowed to continue their traditional oversight of the oil and gas industry through regulatory programs, taking into consideration local physical and social conditions. Federal environmental regulatory efforts should be limited in scope and, when imposed, should bring consistency and predictability to operational planning. For example, governmental efforts should be made to eliminate roadblocks to the export of liquid natural gas to foreign markets and begin the creation of the domestic infrastructure necessary for public and private natural gas vehicles. By broadening the demand for natural gas, the price of this energy commodity would increase, again giving the incentive for renewable energy sources to enter the market.
Congress and Federal Agencies Congress has not created a federal legislative environment conducive to the smart management of our existing energy resources and remains gridlocked. While new energy bills may be introduced, it is highly unlikely that any new energy rules or regulations will pass. With Congress in a stalemate, the regulatory philosophies and enforcement actions by the newly appointed leaders of the EPA, Department of the Interior and Department of Energy will play a very important role in our energy future. The recent appointment of Gina McCarthy as administrator of the EPA does not bode well for the coal industry because she helped author some of the EPA’s more burdensome coal initiatives. In her capacity as the new Secretary of the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell will likely continue the Federal Office of Surface Mining’s clamp down on surface coal mining operations. In contrast, Ernest Moniz, a former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, gives the natural gas industry a glimmer of hope as the newly appointed Secretary of the Department of Energy. Moniz, in a June 2010 MIT press release, recognized
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natural gas as “a bridge to a low-carbon future.” However, none of these federal appointees signal a departure from the federal government’s unrealistic opposition to carbon-based energy sources.
State and Voluntary Initiatives In the absence of a coherent federal energy agenda, industry leaders should undertake a state legislative approach and voluntary initiatives to create an economically viable transition to a less carbon-intensive energy future. Coal-producing states can adopt more realistic and uniform water quality and reclamation standards that promote environmentally responsible surface coal mining. State lawmakers can develop oil and gas pooling legislation that promotes predictable and more efficient horizontal drilling operations. Both the coal and oil and gas industries have the opportunity to formulate reasonable, business-friendly standards in a transparent manner that would blunt governmental and public criticism of their activities. The oil and gas industry has begun an effort to establish voluntary guidelines for oil and gas drilling, fracturing and waste disposal practices that go beyond current
governmental regulations through the Center for Sustainable Shale Development. Likewise, the coal industry can lead efforts to mine coal in smarter ways. Coal mining operations should focus on surface mining techniques that are more efficient and have minimal environmental impact. Smaller on-site coal cleaning and handling equipment would minimize trucking and waste materials from surface mining operations. Creative postmining land uses, such as highway base preparation, timber cultivation farms, outof-flood-plain housing sites, military training facilities and industrial sites, would minimize the impact of surface mining operations while promoting economic stimulus at these reclaimed locations.
The Future It is time for a broad coalition of industries to join in shaping the enforcement posture of the federal agencies involved in the regulation of energy—especially the EPA. Confronted by increasingly similar environmental challenges, the oil and gas and coal industries should consider cooperating to combat regulatory overreaching by the EPA. Additionally, the proper use of legal and public relations resources can assist with the
PROVEN SOLUTIONS for the Mining and Environmental Industries
push for more efficient use of our carbonbased foundation fuels without conflicting with the advancement of renewable energy sources. Legislative and industry policies that promote less waste and emissions from our existing carbon resources will naturally result in a gradual and controlled increase in energy costs, allowing the continued development of renewable sources without smothering future economic development. The smart use of our abundant carbon-based foundation fuels, combined with governmental policies to promote energy efficiency, and increased viability of renewable energy sources will achieve a more productive and stable approach to our energy future. Over the next four years, business and state government leaders will have the opportunity to help shape the future of our energy economy. If nothing is done, we are faced with a stagnant state and regional economic future punctuated by further job loss and economic dislocation. But, if we act together with leaders of the energy sector, business and government collaborating and speaking with one voice, the next four years could be remembered as a period of resurgence, progressive policymaking and economic growth.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE • SURFACE MINING APPLICATION • SURFACE WATER RUNOFF ANALYSIS • NPDES PERMIT APPLICATION • WATER MONITORING • BENTHIC ASSESSMENT • FISHERIES ASSESSMENT • NATURAL CHANNEL DESIGN • COMPENSATORY MITIGATION PLANS • JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATIONS • WETLAND DELINEATIONS • GIS MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS • DATA MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
Decota Consulting Company, Inc. is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to servicing the unique needs and challenges of the mining and environmental industries. We have provided our clients with state-of-the-art solutions since 1996. Our company takes pride in utilizing our experience, integrity and quality of work in every project. As consultants, we provide the knowledge and technical support to help your organization achieve its goals more efficiently. We will stand as a professional liaison between our clients and various federal, state or local regulatory agencies.
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There’s a lot more to your water bill than just water. When you turn on the tap, it’s easy to see what your water bill buys. What’s not as easy to see is what it takes to bring that water to your home. The miles of pipeline hidden below the ground. The facilities that draw water from the source. The plant where it’s treated and tested. The scientists, engineers, and maintenance crews working around the clock to make sure that water is always there when you need it. Your water payments are helping to build a better tomorrow by supporting needed improvements that will keep water flowing for all of us—today and well into the future. All for about a penny a gallon.
WE CARE ABOUT WATER. IT’S WHAT WE DO. FIND OUT WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO, at www.westvirginiaamwater.com. “West Virginia American Water” and the star logo are the registered trademarks of American Water Works Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
Risk solutions for energy companies in West Virginia
Coal, oil, natural gas, and other energy companies are facing more complicated risks than ever before. So it’s especially important to work with the energy specialist who has the knowledge, experience, market strength, and service commitment to help you navigate these challenges.
Team up with us today. Wells Fargo Insurance Services of West Virginia, Inc. 304-347-0645
Products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc., and Wells Fargo Insurance Services of West Virginia, Inc., non-bank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Products and services are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies except crop and flood insurance, which may be underwritten by an affiliate, Rural Community Insurance Company. Some services require additional fees and may be offered directly through third-party providers. Banking and insurance decisions are made independently and do not influence each other. © 2012 Wells Fargo Insurance Services of West Virginia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Time to Rethink America’s Energy Policy
By Senator Joe Manchin
Capital ideas for Your Business
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west virginia executive
It is time to rethink America’s energy policy
because it is rooted in a dusty and worn past that is becoming increasingly irrelevant. For the past 40 years, ever since the 1973 Arab oil embargo sent shock waves through the U.S. economy, our policy makers have assumed a very bleak energy future—one of tapped out domestic supplies and a dangerous dependence on foreign imports. And they have planned accordingly, which is why in recent years the federal government has spent billions of dollars on developing alternative fuels. In the same breath, however, it has set up harsh regulations designed to curb the use of one of our most abundant sources of energy—coal, which supplies about 40 percent of our nation’s electricity. But with new technologies such as horizontal drilling, we have unlocked resources like shale oil and gas. We’ve also continued to develop technologies, such as gasification and mercury controls, that make using coal cleaner than ever. The entire energy landscape has dramatically changed. We’ve moved from scarcity to abundance. With the right policies, we can achieve the energy independence that has eluded us for four decades, and in the process, we can begin to resurrect America’s manufacturing base, which runs on abundant and affordable energy. If we truly want to make America energy independent, Washington should look no farther than West Virginia, a state that stands as a prime example of what can be accomplished with an “all-of-the-above” energy policy. We use all of our domestic energy resources—oil, natural gas, geothermal, nuclear, biomass, wind, solar, hydro and, of course, coal. A diversified energy policy is just common sense, but sometimes it’s hard to find common sense in Washington. Instead of an “all-of-the-above” energy policy, we’ve got an “all-of-the-abovebut-nothing-from-below” approach to energy. Forty years have come and gone since then-President Richard Nixon launched Project Independence as the first step in kicking America’s energy import habit. In that time, our political leaders have argued nonstop about what to do, even as we have waged wars over oil that have cost us billions of dollars and thousands of American lives. But through it all—in fact, through most of the history of this country’s rise to prominence—the one constant source of energy has been coal. It fueled the Industrial Revolution that transformed America from a wilderness into an industrial superpower. Even today, it powers nearly half of our electric plants. It is, in fact, the rock on which America’s global economy has been built. West Virginia remains the nation’s second largest producer of coal, behind only Wyoming and just ahead of Kentucky. More importantly, even as domestic markets for West Virginia coal have been slowing largely due to the natural gas boom, coal exporters have continued to grow, increasing by 40 percent between 2011 and 2012 from $5.3 billion to $7.4 billion. In fact, in 2012, West Virginia coal was exported to 39 different countries and accounted for 49 percent of all U.S. coal exports. The top markets for coal with the largest growth were Japan and
China. Coal exports to Japan grew from $29 million in 2011 to $395 million in 2012. And China’s purchases of West Virginia coal went from $83 million in 2011 to $567 million in 2012. While I’m proud that our state can do its part to improve our trade balance, I’d much rather see us using that coal here at home. That’s why we have to keep working on cleaner ways to use coal, especially because even with cheap natural gas prices and harsh EPA regulations, the Department of Energy projects that coal will continue to provide a lion’s share of our baseload electricity—35 percent through 2040. There is another benefit to West Virginia developing cleaner coal technologies: China and India are going to keep using coal well into the future, and more of it than anyone. For example, in 2011, China used almost 4 billion tons of coal, four times as much as we did and almost as much as the rest of the world combined. That market is not going away, and any technologies or expertise that we develop will translate into high-paying domestic jobs as we either license those technologies or build the equipment to sell them. In fact, a 2009 report showed that the government’s clean coal research program would provide a 13-to-1 return on investment for each taxpayer dollar spent between 2000 and 2020. This raises a larger point: some of our most successful government research has been the research on improving existing energy sources. Government research helped commercialize shale oil and gas technologies, and the research into technologies that make our existing energy sources—like coal—cleaner and more efficient continues to help us maintain our competitive edge. They give us reliable, affordable and clean energy for our economy and provide jobs as we build, retrofit and export the new technologies. So, while we need to keep researching alternative energy, we can’t stop improving the energy we already use. This is a true “all-of-the-above” approach, and I am more confident than ever about us getting this type of energy policy passed. My confidence stems, in part, from the fact that in this new Congress, the Senate Energy Committee is run by Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Both are pragmatists. Both are frustrated with the partisanship in Washington. And both are committed to an energy policy of harnessing all of our domestic resources in a balanced way. If we can rethink our outdated policies, we will usher in a new energy era in America, an exciting time in which we can use all of our energy sources today while we develop the energy technologies of tomorrow. If we can do that, we can create a brighter future for everyone.
HSC INDUSTRIAL Controls & Automation provides complete SCADA and telemetry system engineering, design and installation services for those who operate critical industrial systems in the coal, natural gas, water and waste water arenas. HSC offers the following flow and level instruments for accurate and continuous pipeline monitoring: DFM 5.0 Doppler Flow Meter Strap-on Sensor Backlit LCD Display 18-Digit Totalizer Isolated 4-20mA Output Watertight Enclosure Built-in 5-Key Calibrator RFI Rejection Filters Signal Strength Display 2 Control Relays Stingray Portable Level-Velocity Logger Logs Level, Velocity and Temperature Operates up to 4 Years on Disposable Batteries 130,000 point Data Logger LCD Bargraph Display RS232 Output Watertight Enclosure
To keep day-to-day applications operating, HSC offers on-going system maintenance, testing and troubleshooting and operates with urgency to eliminate any down-time. For more information on these or other INDUSTRIAL Controls & Automation product lines contact Brian Meredith at: brianm@hscindustrial.com or 304.573.5727.
www.hscindustrial.com
WEST virginia naTural gaS FuElS WEST virginia’S ManuFacTurErS.
Milton, WV
The word is out, and West Virginia is open for business thanks to natural gas. Beyond powering our homes and vehicles, natural gas plays a critical role in manufacturing processes, either as energy to produce a bevy of products such as steel and glass or as a feedstock to produce chemicals and plastics. West Virginia’s own Blenko Glass is a prime example. “(Blenko Glass) Vice-President Katie Trippe says that the Milton glassmaker has benefited from a recent drop in natural gas prices and a surge in sales.” - WSAZ, August 6, 2012 More than $20 billion in manufacturing projects have been announced in America to come online by 2015 covering a geographic region ranging from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley. That’s good news for America’s manufactures, and for West Virginia.
Learn more at
www.anga.us/westvirginia
Industry Meets Community A Win-Win Relationship By allowing neighbors to have a dialogue with the company, their level of satisfaction rises. Just like the workers, they feel more in control of their environment.
By Ann Green
A quiet revolution is taking place in
communities throughout the Appalachian Region and across the United States. Industry is inviting its neighbors to share thoughts about neighboring operations, and industry managers are asking key stakeholders for their opinions about facility plans. Relationships are being built one meeting at a time. Trust is blossoming in unlikely partnerships. This hasn’t always been the case. In the 1962 book “Silent Spring,” Rachel Carson declared, “For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” Carson’s book arguably signaled the start of the environmental movement. The tragic accident in Bhopal, India, in 1984 changed the landscape forever. Average citizens became scared. They demanded to know more about what was happening behind gray corporate walls. Elected officials responded to public concerns. Laws were passed to protect citizens from potential dangers. Among them was the Community Right to Know Act that put information about industrial operations in the hands of the public.
Building Relationships through Dialogue While much of this legislation has been a burden on industry, some good things have come about. Companies are proactively talking with their neighbors and local activists because they recognize the value of a dialogue with these groups, and they are beginning to build credibility and, ultimately, trust with their neighbors. This has not stopped with the chemical industry. Petroleum producers, natural gas developers, wind energy producers, coal operators and paper and phosphate companies have seen the benefit of engaging their stakeholders on a regular basis. These dialogues fill a basic human need for the neighbors. We all want to be in control of our lives— of what is going on around us and what is happening to us. Study after study of workers illustrates this point. When people are told exactly what to do on the job without being allowed to exercise personal creativity, they ExEdge become dissatisfied with the work. On The goal of the the other hand, when they are allowed Emergency to offer suggestions and be part of a Planning and team to accomplish a task, their level Community of satisfaction escalates proportionately. Right-to-Know Act of 1986 is to That’s why so many companies are improve chemical moving toward self-managed work safety and protect forces. Productivity is higher because public health and the workers feel they have more control. the environment. The same theory applies to citizens Source: http:// living near operations that involve www.epa. hazardous materials or other potentially gov/epahome/ r2k.htm negative impacts in the community. By allowing neighbors to have a dialogue with the company, their level of satisfaction rises. Just like the workers, they feel more in control of their environment. Knowledge—and the ability to provide feedback based on that knowledge—gives citizens a sense of power. Powerlessness only leads to frustration, fear and anger.
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Community Advisory Panels Many companies across the Appalachian Region have developed ongoing dialogues through community advisory panels (CAPs), and this is a national trend as well. Throughout the United States, there are an estimated 500 CAPs in operation today, which begs the questions “Why are companies investing their time and resources in CAPs?” and “Why do CAPs work?” A CAP is a group of about 20 individuals who represent the fabric of their community—emergency responders, clergy, health care professionals, business people, homemakers, environmental advocates, elected officials, blue collar workers and students. They meet with company managers regularly to discuss issues of mutual interest. Companies share their plans for the future and how they are coping with environmental and safety challenges.
Neighbors speak up about what worries them with regard to living near the operations and provide advice to the managers in response to community concerns. Most CAPs have been well received by both communities and industry. Managers are learning how important dialogue with their neighbors can be, and communities are surprised at the openness of the companies about their operations, their challenges and their future plans. Some really important issues are being addressed at the meetings, and special relationships are being forged.
Uniting for the Greater Good Examples of successful partnerships through the CAP process abound, and one recent situation demonstrates the power of these
Supporting the Creativity in Every West Virginia Artisan Entrepreneur “The Tamarack Foundation provides a powerful reference in support of my work. At The Buyers Market* of American Craft Show, buyers had confidence that they could order from me. It reduced the risk in forming a relationship with a first time exhibitor.” – Wendy Clark Wenweave, Barbour County *Wendy was a participant in our 2013 WV to Urban Markets Program.
304.926.3770 | tamarackwv.com/foundation Champion this cause by supporting the Tamarack Foundation, an independent 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.
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Marshall University College of Fine Arts Visual Arts Center Opening 2014
new relationships. A small, rural community wanted to rehabilitate the only discernible asset the citizens could identify—an abandoned lake. In partnership with the sponsoring company and county government, the CAP is revitalizing the lake, providing access for children and handicapped individuals and enjoying a safe and beautiful recreational outlet for the local residents. The project is bringing together people with divergent views on such issues as mountaintop removal to work together for the common good. Another example can be found in the instance where an area water company was persuaded by a new mining project to extend service to a rural area long desiring such service. An old bridge still used by school buses was deemed unsafe for heavy coal trucks—not to mention the buses. A coal company built another bridge beside the old bridge and turned it over to the state for use by the public while a replacement bridge was constructed.
Additional Concerns Addressed Two concerns for residents re-emerge in CAP groups: drug use (generally fueled by meth labs) and crime (often related to drug use). With company sponsorship, CAPs have initiated crime watch programs and conducted drug awareness programs at local schools. CAPs have shown a willingness to help companies and their communities in tangible ways. One community advisory panel in West Virginia provided input to a company as it developed a wind farm and prepared for its hearing before the West Virginia Public Service Commission. “The US Wind Force Community Advisory Panel was
instrumental in helping our company build its relationship with the Mineral County community and its leadership,” says David Friend, chairman and CEO of US Wind Force LLC. “The group presented the opportunity for us to sit down regularly with our neighbors and talk about the proposed project, the permitting process and what to expect during construction. Through the process, we were able to identify potential issues and address them in a timely manner.” In the energy industry, community members have sat at the table with coal mining managers to hear the challenges the industry faces in our nation and have sought ways to show community-based support for the industry. Panels have provided insightful feedback to companies as they develop natural gas operations across the region. Topics tackled include road use, dust, noise and groundwater protection. Meetings have allowed communities and companies to put issues on the table for discussion. CAPs are interested in communicating with the rest of the community about what they have learned. They are publishing newsletters and annual reports for their neighbors as well as sponsoring special outreach meetings for the public. They are speaking out as informed citizens in public meetings and hearings about issues important to industry. As a result, more walls are coming down. There is a sense of more cooperation between even the most ardent activists and their targeted corporate citizens. Industry is finding the more they share, the more they get in return in understanding and acceptance. All sides are learning what Steven Covey preached for years: win-win relationships are the best.
Working with America’s Energy Sector Since 1981
lanhamodell.com
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Site Development: Quality & Experience vs. A “Dirt Cheap” Price Site preparation is the foundation of any field operation, especially in the energy and natural gas industries. Cutting corners on this phase by considering “price only” can put your entire operation at risk. Consider the consequences of pads, slopes or faces that fissure or slide, containment ponds that leak, or retaining walls that aren’t adequate. At a minimum, poorly planned or performed site work will need to be redone. We know. We’ve been called in to fix these exact kinds of problems. A “dirt cheap” price often ends up costing more, not less.
QuAlity & ExPEriEnCE The best way to save money on site development work is through quality and experience. Vecellio & Grogan contributes a wealth of knowledge, gained from 75 years’ experience in heavy/highway and site development work, throughout the planning and construction process. As a result, we’re able to plan and perform work in the safest, most costeffective manner, providing real-world savings. We’ve saved a public-sector customer over $1 million since 2010 through value engineering, and we provide the same level of service to our private-sector customers as well.
At Vecellio & Grogan, we want to be your site “Contractor of Choice.” We’re a Top 400 Contractor, ranked Top 30 in Heavy/Highway Construction (& Site Development Work).
With our vast equipment fleet and one of the industry’s safest work records, we can handle projects of any size or scope across the Eastern United States: • Full-Service Industrial, Mining & Natural Gas Site Preparation (& Remediation) • Environmental Solutions, Ponds, Walls, Access Roads, Bridges, Drainage Structures • Value Engineering That Lowers Potential Risks & Costs Office (304) 252-6575 Toll-free (800) 255-6575 SiteWork@VecellioGrogan.com www.VecellioGrogan.com Scan QR Code With Mobile QR App To See How Vecellio & Grogan Provides Real-World Savings On Site Development Work
We’re Experienced. We’re Competitive. We’re Vecellio & Grogan.
Uncensored The Energy Issue
By Kensie Hamilton
Growing up, many of us were engrained with
the belief that honesty is the best policy. Since we at West Virginia Executive believe this is a vital principle by which to live and work, we have decided to step outside our typical editorial requirements and run a story without bylines in order to bring our readers the real facts that lie within West Virginia’s natural gas industry from the CEOs and presidents themselves. In the past, we have asked business owners, CEOs and presidents within West Virginia’s energy industry to talk honestly with us about the challenges that arise because of regulatory agencies and permitting, as well as other issues that have a major impact on the industry. The response we have always
received is that speaking too honestly could have a negative effect on the energy company of the contributor, as well as its business. We would never want to negatively impact anyone’s business, and yet we find it of the utmost importance to bring to light the real challenges of this industry so West Virginia can plan for the future. For this year’s annual energy issue, we have been able to work with a group of natural gas industry leaders in the Mountain State who are willing to share this sensitive information. These leaders will remain nameless to protect their livelihood. It is our hope some honest feedback from the energy industry in West Virginia will help shine a light on the hurdles that not only hinder the Mountain State’s energy success but also stand in the way of America’s energy independence.
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Natural Gas Regulatory Agencies With the advent of new technologies that allow drillers to access tremendous amounts of natural gas in the Marcellus Shale, oil and gas exploration has undergone a huge transformation in West Virginia. Along with that new development comes new regulations to address the changing aspects of the exploration, drilling and production of this popular fossil fuel. Not too many years ago, authorities at West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Office of Oil and Gas deservedly bragged about their one-stop shopping approach to the permitting of new wells. Oil and gas operators could apply for permits and have all their regulatory concerns addressed at one office while citizens concerned about drilling and production operations could contact the same office to talk to a regulatory personnel member who was intimately involved with the operations. It was a good system that worked efficiently for many years. Unfortunately, this model of regulatory efficiency is now a thing of the past. As Marcellus development has progressed, almost every regulatory body imaginable now has their hands in the permitting process. And with rig rates running approximately $30,000 per day, any glitch in the complicated permitting process that shuts a rig down can quickly add up to significant expense. Add to that the cost of all the ancillary equipment rendered inactive during a delay, and an operator is quickly exposed to costs nearing $75,000 for each day he is shut down. One new regulation requires that before an operator can apply to the WVDEP for a drilling permit, he must detail a plan to maintain and repair the state roads he will utilize, and he must obtain a permit from the Department of Highways (DOH). Between
engineering designs and field meetings with DOH representatives, this process can take well over one month to complete. It also requires the operator to purchase a significant surety bond— up to $1 million—to protect the state. Once the DOH approves the plan, the operator goes to the Office of Oil and Gas, which still maintains the primary responsibility for the permitting of drilling activity. At this point, the county gets involved. The operator must obtain a flood plain permit before beginning construction activities, even if construction is not in a designated flood plain. Because each county determines its own flood plain ordinance, the operator has to become familiar with potentially 55 different sets of rules. There is also a fee involved with this permit along with the expense of engineering the flood plain design. Let’s not forget about the federal government. Both the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) get involved when it comes to “waters of the state.” And just because you can’t sail a boat on it doesn’t mean they don’t regulate it. Even some of the smallest drainage ditches that don’t even carry water year-round require special permits or complete relocation of the planned activity. It may also be necessary to obtain air permits from both the EPA and the DEP Division of Air Quality. To round out the list, the planned activity may require an additional municipal permit and a DEP Water Resources permit, and now there is even a proposal for a permit to ensure against the disturbance of graveyards. I’m not saying all these regulations are unwarranted and unnecessary. Our industry supports reasonable regulation of
You should be seeing
red.
A Lower Cost Of Doing Business Are you seeing BLUE?
The RED Partnership offers lower real estate, labor and energy costs compared to the U.S. average and major metropolitan centers, all in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.
P: 304.232.7722 F: 304.232.7727 www.redp.org
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our activities, and West Virginians deserve comprehensive safety and environmental protections. At the same time, our lawmakers and regulators need to remember that unnecessary delays and permitting confusion cost not only the industry but the communities and employees. They should make every effort to simplify and streamline these processes and not stifle the one bright spot on West Virginia’s economic outlook.
Natural Gas Forced Pooling Historically, oil and natural gas were produced in West Virginia by drilling vertical wells and completing each potential producing formation with a single hydraulic fracturing treatment. Today’s wells in the Marcellus Shale formation are drilled vertically for 6,000-7,000 feet and then for a mile or more horizontally. The horizontal well is then completed with multiple hydraulic fracture treatments, and the resultant production can be 15 times greater than the traditional one-stage, one-formation vertical well of previous years. The Marcellus Shale is being developed under an antiquated legal rule: the rule of capture. Under this rule, the owner of the oil and gas receives all the revenue from production of a well drilled on his property. If hydrocarbons from an adjacent property are drained, the courts have determined that the adjacent property owner should have drilled and captured the oil and gas under their property from their own well. Since West Virginia land tracts are usually small, a horizontal well must traverse multiple tracts or land leases. However, crossing multiple leases with the horizontal portion of the well is not legally permitted unless all tract owners agree to be
pooled or combined for the purposes of calculating and paying royalty payments. When pooling is allowed to occur, tracts too small for horizontal drilling can be combined to allow for more efficient spacing of wells and more resource development, and more royalty owners receive a greater amount of income than they may have received otherwise. Without statutory pooling, unwilling, unknown or owners who can’t be located can prevent or block drilling, meaning that a small fraction of unwilling owners can prevent drilling of the horizontal well and the resulting benefits from the overwhelming majority of their fellow owners. Forced pooling for horizontal wells solves these problems. This is the process where majority owners can force the minority to share income or sell their interest. The result is the most efficient development of the reservoir: optimizing the production with the fewest wells drilled. In West Virginia, forced pooling exists and is effective in deep well drilling, shallow secondary recovery development and drilling coal bed methane wells. The forced pooling procedure is a process that gives formal notice to interested parties, allows owners to sell or lease their interest and provides a formal hearing process should they disagree. Forced pooling will optimize the development of the Marcellus Shale and other future formations developed with horizontal technology. The result will be greater royalty payments to all those participating in the drilling unit, more employment in the state and more severance taxes paid to benefit the state. If the state does not implement forced pooling, West Virginia will not be able to maximize the efficient development of oil and natural gas deposits.
Site Preparation Specialist and Award Winning Reclamation
Eastern Arrow P.O. BOX 4108 Charleston, WV 25364 Phone : 304.414.0255 Fax : 304.414.0256 easternarrow@hotmail.com
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Natural Gas Permits At this time last year, shale developers were rightfully upset by the length of time required to obtain a drilling permit. Many permits were taking well over 100 days. The developer’s frustration was aggravated by the fact that application fees had increased from $650 to $10,000, an increase they were told would be used to add staff to expedite the issuance of permits, which was not happening. While permitting times have improved as the result of the actions of WVDEP Cabinet Secretary Randy Huffman and his staff, there is still much room for improvement, especially for the processing and issuance of permits for conventional wells. Some producers have indicated that permitting for conventional shallow wells can take as long as 60 days, which is unacceptable. What can be done? For starters, there should be changes made to the process used to review permit applications. While registered professional civil engineers must prepare many of the critical materials, the clerical staff—and not professional engineers—handle the review of those materials by the WVDEP.
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It seems unlikely they are qualified for this task, which leads to an inefficient process that could lead to problems if an untrained clerk were to overlook something of significance. For the last several years, there has been significantly more horizontal shale activity in Pennsylvania than in West Virginia. Pennsylvania solved its permitting problems by requiring that certain critical elements of the permit application be prepared under the direction of a registered professional engineer who would certify to the commonwealth that the plans and designs meet or exceed the requirements of any and all Pennsylvania statutes or regulations. As a result, permits are issued in Pennsylvania in a timelier manner. Moreover, Pennsylvania’s permit application fees are about half of what West Virginia charges. Obviously the applicant’s engineering expenses are higher, but when rig costs are more than $30,000 per day, most developers don’t complain if the added costs result in the quicker receipt of a permit.
For more than 40 years, Goodwin & Goodwin, LLP has guided oil and gas clients through both traditional and innovative transactions relating to the acquisition, divestiture and financing of oil and gas transactions. Most recently, the firm has been heavily involved in Marcellus Shale development. Many transactions with which we have assisted have been innovative and unique in the industry. We also represent energy clients in litigation matters, such as lease disputes, development and marketing as well as royalty payment calculation. We also represent clients in various matters before the West Virginia Public Service Commission. Our services to clients include:
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Due Diligence and Evaluation
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Negotiation and Transaction Terms and Development of Definitive Agreements
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Closing Coordination
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Financing Matters
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Midstream Activities
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Litigation Defense and Management
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Employment Matters
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Utility Matters
MEET THE KEY PLAYERS
Thomas R. Goodwin
Michael I. Spiker
Susan C. Wittemeier
trg@goodwingoodwin.com
mis@goodwingoodwin.com
scw@goodwingoodwin.com
Thomas Goodwin’s practice involves large commercial transactions, complex litigation and appellate advocacy.
Michael Spiker’s practice involves corporate and real estate transactions in the energy field, mediation and arbitration, government affairs and public utility law.
Susan Wittemeier’s practice involves civil litigation, corporate transactional work and utility representation before the West Virginia Public Service Commission.
Richard D. “Ky” Owen
Tammy J. Owen
Carte P. Goodwin
Deanna R. Stone
rdo@goodwingoodwin.com
tjo@goodwingoodwin.com
cpg@goodwingoodwin.com
drs@goodwingoodwin.com
Richard Owen’s practice involves civil litigation, employment law, mediation/arbitration and corporate transactional work.
Tammy Owen’s practice has a particular focus on oil and gas transactions, including acquisition, financing transactions and midstream activities. Ms. Owen currently serves as a Trustee of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation.
Carte Goodwin’s practice includes litigation and appellate advocacy, as well as advising clients on matters relating to government relations and commercial transactions. Mr. Goodwin served in the United States Senate in 2010.
Deanna Stone’s practice involves commercial transactions, real estate law, corporate formation and civil litigation.
300 Summers Street | Suite 1500 | P. O. Box 2107 | Charleston, WV 25328 CHARLESTON 304-346-7000
PARKERSBURG 304-485-2345
RIPLEY 304-372-2651
www.goodwingoodwin.com
The Big Boom
Marcellus and Manufacturing
This shared energy and manufacturing expansion is helping transform the U.S. energy outlook and is opening up new opportunities for the future of manufacturing.
By Joe Eddy
We are in the midst of the largest energy
boom in our nation’s history, and most people still don’t realize it. It’s extraordinary that the ingenuity and innovation of the natural gas and oil industry have unlocked more than 100 years of U.S. shale gas reserves in just the last five years. Shale gas production has increased from practically nothing in 2005 to more than 38 percent of U.S. supply today and is heading toward 50 percent. The significance of this is captured in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) prediction that the U.S. will become the world’s largest producer of natural gas and oil by 2020, surpassing Russia and Saudi Arabia. A boom for the energy industry is also a boom for manufacturing, especially chemical manufacturers and other energy intensive industries. The security and stability of an affordable, abundant supply of natural gas to be used for heating, processing, electric power generation and a chemical feedstock have helped make U.S. manufacturing more competitive in the global marketplace. An expanding manufacturing sector is also important to the natural gas industry, as it represents more than 30 percent of the natural gas market. This shared energy and manufacturing expansion is helping transform the U.S. energy outlook and is opening up new opportunities for the future of manufacturing. Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), in his keynote presentation to the West Virginia Manufacturers Association’s Marcellus to Manufacturing Ethane Development Conference, noted that “natural gas is to the chemical industry as flour is to the baking industry” and that “in 2008 no chemical company was planning investments in the U.S.; today they all are.” That’s mainly because we’re now able to produce natural gas so cheaply that the entire global chemical industry is relocating here.
Many companies that spent decades moving chemical production to the Middle East and Asia are now leading the biggest expansion back into the U.S. as shale gas revives the chemical industry’s economics.
Benefits for West Virginia West Virginia lies in the middle of the Appalachian Basin, on top of two of the most prolific shale plays in the U.S.: the Marcellus and the Utica. The Marcellus Shale is considered one of the largest shale fields in the world and has the key benefit of producing wet gas, which contains not only methane but also the valuable natural gas liquids ethane, propane, butane and pentane. West Virginia is already realizing significant economic benefits from both upstream leasing, drilling, completions and production, as well as midstream pipelines, gas separation and fractionation plant construction and utilization. This activity is literally in the beginning stages of development and is expected to continue for at least ExEdge the next 20 years, with investments in the Marcellus Shale estimated as high as Ethane is a $200 billion for upstream and midstream colorless, odorless, assets in the next 10 years. gaseous
Current Benefits Realized
hydrocarbon that belongs to the paraffin series. Its chemical formula is C2H6.
The downstream economic benefits for West Virginia from the Marcellus Shale could be considered as both kinetic and potential. Kinetic, as the availability of a Source: http://www. secure supply of low-cost natural gas is britannica.com/ restoring a global competitive advantage EBchecked/ to West Virginia’s many energy-intensive topic/193911/ industries such as chemicals, aluminum, ethane steel, glass, cement and polymers, some of which are beginning to invest millions of dollars to increase their operations. This new globally advantaged gas supply is attracting international companies like Spanish automotive parts maker Gestamp and Italian gas meter and valve manufacturer Pietro Fiorentini to West Virginia and enabling Williamstown’s Fenton Art Glass to restart operations. Lower gas costs are also helping hold down electricity prices as natural gas’ share of power generation increases. IHS Global Insight estimates an average reduction of 10 percent in electric costs as a result of shale gas production. The development of shale gas infrastructure has also given a considerable boost to manufacturing by increasing demand for steel tubular goods used for drilling, production, transportation and distribution, as well as increased demand of chemicals, cement, safety products and heavy equipment used in the gas industry.
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Ethane to Ethylene is Key The most important potential downstream economic benefit lies in the fact that the chemical industry also utilizes the natural gas liquid, ethane, as the primary feedstock in the production of ethylene, the world’s largest volume petrochemical and the basic building block used to manufacture products in many industries, including construction, food packaging, textile, apparel and automotive. Ethane supply conditions are so favorable it is now cheaper to produce ethylene in the U.S. ($300/ton) than in Saudi Arabia ($455/ton) or Asia ($1,700/ton). The U.S. ethane supply is projected to increase an additional 50 percent by 2016 to 1.4 million barrels per day (BPD), which doubles the supply since the shale gas boom. This increased availability of inexpensive ethane affords a significant competitive advantage to manufacture ethylene domestically. A recent ACC study notes a 30 percent increase in ethane supply and a 15 percent decrease in natural gas prices should result in 1.2 million additional jobs, $72 billion in capital investment, a 7 percent increase in U.S. manufacturing expansion, $342 billion in total economic expansion and more than $26 billion annually in federal, state and local tax revenue. Chevron, Dow, ExxonMobil, Formosa, LyondellBasell, Occidental, Indorama and SABIC have all announced intentions to build new ethane crackers to support this chemical industry expansion, most of which would be located in the Gulf Coast region.
DOWNSTREAM GROWTH major rail systems considerable shale gas deposits access to the Ohio River excellent universities within 500 miles of U.S. industrial base Source: americanchemistry.com
Build a Cracker in West Virginia A cracker represents the potential nature of the downstream economic benefits, as the real value proposition is found in being able to keep the raw material, cracking, converting and downstream manufacturing here in the middle of the northeast auto and plastic molding markets. Currently, plans call for a large portion of our ethane to be transported by pipeline to the Gulf Coast or to Canada to be cracked into ethylene, converted to polyethylene and shipped back to the northeast by rail to the same markets at a higher cost. The ACC estimates that a world-scale ethane cracker in West Virginia would require a $3.2 billion investment. The real value comes from the operating phase, generating $7 billion in annual industry revenue, $95 million in West Virginia tax revenue and up to 12,000 jobs and $729 million in worker wages. Smaller regional-sized crackers would require a
DOWNSTREAM GROWTH INVESTMENT PHASE
OPERATION PHASE
$949 million
8,000
$7 billion
12,000
$15 million
$363 million
$95 million
$729 million
(building the facility)
industry revenue in West Virginia tax revenue
American jobs in worker wages
(ongoing production)
industry revenue in West Virginia tax revenue
American jobs in worker wages
Source: americanchemistry.com
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$500 million investment and generate a scalable amount of operating and tax revenues, jobs and wages. Producing the ethylene in West Virginia would allow for additional downstream industry expansion to produce polyethylene, polypropylene and hundreds of other chemicals and finished products. Royal Dutch Shell has indicated an interest in building a world-scale cracker in Monaca, PA, and Aither Chemicals and Appalachian Resins have both indicated an interest in building smaller crackers in West Virginia. A world-scale cracker requires about 65,000 BPD of ethane and a regional cracker about 20,000 BPD of ethane. Ethane makes up about 15 percent of the Marcellus Shale gas stream, and current Appalachian Basin production of ethane is at 250,000 BPD and is expected to grow to 450,000 BPD in the next few years. Thanks to abundant and affordable supplies of shale gas, West Virginia is poised for a manufacturing renaissance that starts with the chemical industry and ripples throughout the state’s economy. After years of high energy costs and industrial decline, the new economics of shale gas create a competitive advantage for West Virginia and U.S. chemical manufacturers in the global marketplace, which translates into increased investment, economic growth and tens of thousands of jobs with the big prize of growing the manufacturing base in West Virginia.
F O R T H E P OW E R YO U C A N ’ T D O W I T H O U T Businesses are always looking for ways to run more efficiently. We do the Businesses are always looking for ways to run more same at Appalachian Power. efficiently. We do the same at Appalachian Power. And though improving energy efficiency may reduce costs and stretch And though improving energy efficiency may reduce dollars, having an adequate power supply remains essential. That’s why costs and stretch dollars, having an adequate power Appalachian Power is working hard to cost-effectively meet our customers’ supply remains essential. That’s why Appalachian Power energy needs. We’re retiring older, less-efficient plants, adding more clean is working hard to cost-effectively meet our customers’ natural gas generation, and increasing our generating capacity – to ensure energy needs. We’re retiring older, less-efficient plants, that you have the electricity you need today and in the future. adding more clean natural gas generation, and increasing our generating capacity – to ensure that you have the electricity you need today and in the future.
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O N A P PA L AC H I A N P OW E R A P PA L AC H I A N P O W E R .C O M
Misconceptions in the Marketplace Dispelling Natural Gas Myths Natural gas has been used commercially and residentially for many years for many uses. According to the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia Web site, “The U.S. has more than 2,500 trillion cubic feet of potential natural gas resources—enough to meet current U.S. consumption for the next 100 years.”
By Kensie Hamilton
There are a number of misconceptions about fracing and the natural gas industry across the region, many of which are wildly entertaining. For example, it was stated in one town hall meeting that exposure to frac water prevented the body of a deceased man from being able to be cremated, while individuals at another town hall meeting identified frac water as the “cause” for one young male’s homosexuality.
We turned to higher education’s Bob Chase, the chair of the Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geology at Marietta College; Samuel Ameri, the chair of the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at West Virginia University and Kashy Aminian, professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at West Virginia University, to help clear up some common misconceptions.
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Bob Chase
Chair, Department of Petroleum Engineering and Geology, Marietta College Fracing is a new technology.
Mission
HealthNet Aeromedical Services is committed to providing compassionate, high quality care to our patients. Operational safety is our first priority and the focus of every aspect of our endeavors.
Vision
To be the premier provider of critical care transport services
Since the advent of drilling oil and gas wells in the late 1800s, people have looked for ways to increase oil production from the rocks in which it is found. In those early days and as late as the 1970s, “torpedoes� loaded with nitroglycerine as well as other explosive materials were used to stimulate production of oil and gas from tight or low permeability reservoir rocks. Use of these materials, however, provided little or no control of the growth of fractures in the rock. Hydraulic fracturing was introduced in the late 1940s and offered a method of controlled reservoir stimulation. This was accomplished by allowing operators to selectively perforate the casing and then use a mixture of water, sand and chemicals to create fractures in the rock in a controlled fashion. This process has been employed in the industry since the 1940s on vertical wells on shore, deviated wells offshore and, most recently, horizontal wells drilled into shale formations around the country. Fracing is unsafe.
Values
Safety - We value safety above all. Safety is our culture and is evident in every aspect of our operation. Quality - We value providing the highest quality care, delivered with concern and compassion, to those entrusted to us. We are driven to continually assess and improve all components of our operation. Service - We value serving our patients and other healthcare/public safety professionals. We are committed to exceeding the expectations of those whom we serve. Education - We value the delivery of high quality educational programs that result in exceptional patient care. HealthNet is a shared service of
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The record will show fracing is a safe process. More than a million wells have been fraced in the U.S. since the 1940s. Most of those wells are conventional vertical wells that have been constructed in a manner that is much less restrictive than the horizontal wells we are drilling today. By that, I mean the vertical wells typically have only surface casing cemented through the portion of the earth of greatest concern, namely the shallow sediments from which we obtain drinking water. The production casing through which we produce the reservoir fluids is generally not cemented through the shallow zones. The horizontal wells being completed today in shale formations typically have surface casing and at least one intermediate casing string, both cemented through the shallow formations that contain our drinking water, and may have an additional intermediate or production casing string inside of those two casing strings protecting the sensitive formations. Multiple layers of cement and steel pipe ensure the fresh water zones are more than adequately protected. Companies must, of course, ensure that the cement around the casing strings has provided a good seal so that the fracturing treatment being performed on the shale 5,000-7,000 feet below the fresh water zones can’t possibly impact these zones. Fracing has significant negative effects on air quality. During the fracing process, large pieces of diesel-driven equipment are used to conduct the fracturing operations. This process might go on for several days, but the impact on air quality due to diesel exhaust is limited to that time period. Some companies are now moving to natural gas-driven equipment to further reduce emissions. There is an obvious benefit on air quality in that the bountiful supplies of natural gas unlocked by the fracing process can ultimately limit our use of coal and fuel oil, which release far more toxins into the atmosphere than natural gas. One only needs to look at the air quality in China where coal
is the primary source of power generation. I do not mean to say we should not burn coal for power generation. We are blessed with abundant supplies of coal, and we need to continue to evolve the technology that allows us to burn this fossil fuel in as clean a manner as possible. Utilizing both sources of energy will allow us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Harmful chemicals are used in hydraulic fracing, leading to the contamination of watersheds and drinking water. Almost all chemicals in the pure state, whether used in the fracing process or in making eye shadow and lipstick, are toxic. Chemicals that can be regarded as harmful that have been used in the fracing process, however, are diluted to a great extent due to the fact they are in a mixture that is 99.5 percent water and sand. More and more of these chemicals are being replaced by nontoxic additives to minimize the need to treat the water and dispose of it upon return to the surface. Again, proper well construction and cementing techniques can ensure that our watersheds and drinking water are safe.
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Samuel Ameri
Chair, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, West Virginia University
Kashy Aminian
Professor, Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, West Virginia University
Contamination from fracing will cause water coming out of the faucet to catch fire. The formation that is being fraced, called shale, is over 7,000 feet deep, and the fracture height does not exceed 700-900 feet. Therefore, there are over 6,000 feet of rock between the fractures and the surface. Consequently, it is not physically possible for the natural gas from the shale to reach surface aquifers. The most likely source of gas in the water is shallow formations such as coal or marsh lands. The water used to drill down is toxic and will seep to the surface. The injected water is contained within the injection system that is isolated from the ground with several layers of steel (casing) and cement. The fracturing fluids used for shale fracing consist of 99 percent water and sand but also include a small amount of additives (less than 1 percent). The additives include surfactants, disinfectants and jelling agents. These additives are common chemicals found in consumer products such as foods, beverages, cleaners, disinfectants, cosmetics, detergents and automotive antifreeze. Fracing’s chemicals have a negative effect on livestock. Most industrial processes use chemicals, and almost any chemical can be hazardous in large enough quantities or if not handled properly. Even chemicals that go into our food or drinking water can be hazardous. Hydraulic fracturing uses only a few chemical additives, and these chemical additives are safe when properly handled according to requirements and longstanding industry practices. ď Ž
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Leading by Example CONSOL’s Industry-Wide Success By Kensie Hamilton
Whether diversifying
their traditional coal portfolio with natural gas drilling, implementing the Absolute ZERO onsite safety initiative or maintaining high levels of productivity while doing their due diligence to protect the environment, CONSOL Energy is leading the region’s energy industry by example. CONSOL Energy is one of the highest producing coal and natural gas companies in the State of West Virginia, and while CEO Brett Harvey, a fourth generation coal miner, is not from the Mountain State, he certainly understands the importance of what West Virginia and the Appalachian Region contribute to the nation’s energy industry. As the CEO of one of only a few energy companies that has successfully diversified to produce both coal and natural gas, Harvey has a unique perspective to share with readers both within West Virginia and beyond.
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WVE: Tell us how you got involved in the energy industry. BH: My family has a long history in the coal mining business. I am the fourth generation that chose to work in the mines and am compelled to work in this business because I admire the pride and strong work ethic of the people it employs. I firmly believe the work we do is critically important to the United States and to global growth. WVE: As one of the largest producers of coal and natural gas in West Virginia, what is the greatest challenge you see facing the Appalachian Region? BH: Our license to operate is paramount, and we must continue to approach safety and compliance as core values in all we do. West Virginia’s vast coal reserves and new natural gas discoveries represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help meet growing world energy demand. In order to be able to participate in this unique opportunity, industry must continue to prioritize safety and environmental compliance above all else. If we do, the residents of West Virginia and the entire region will reap the benefits for generations to come. WVE: What contributed to the efforts to extend the reach of CONSOL in the energy industry into natural gas production? BH: We saw an opportunity to extend our expertise in coal bed methane extraction to unconventional gas development through our acquisition of Dominion Resources’ natural gas assets. The Marcellus formation shares the same footprint as our coal reserves, so this was a natural fit and organic opportunity to diversify our company with two fuels on the balance sheet that will represent two-thirds of global energy consumption for decades to come. WVE: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the natural gas industry? BH: New markets for natural gas and the infrastructure to deliver product are challenges we must address. Currently, the market for natural gas is largely electricity generation. If we are to truly capitalize on the shale opportunity, we must expand the field and spawn new opportunities in transportation, manufacturing, medicine and beyond. The possibilities are boundless if we approach public policy in a way that facilitates growth and job creation associated with natural gas development. WVE: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the coal industry? BH: A number of factors have converged on the coal industry in recent years: tepid economic growth at home and abroad, low natural gas prices combined with an abundant supply due to technological innovation in unconventional drilling techniques and an irrational regulatory agenda directed at both the permitting process as well as electricity generation. Despite this challenging environment, coal is expected to surpass oil as the world’s dominant energy source by 2017. This is a testament to coal’s place as a continued driver of economic progress across the globe. WVE: What type of R&D is CONSOL working on in preparation for the future of the energy industry? BH: Similar to our operational focus on our core values of safety, compliance and continuous improvement, our research and development efforts are focused on advancing these core values to make us a safer and more efficient producer of natural resources. In fact, CONSOL Energy’s R&D facility is the largest
privately funded facility in the industry—something we are very proud of and allows us to continue to be an innovator in our field. WVE: How does having an export terminal affect production for CONSOL? BH: Having a wholly-owned marine terminal in Baltimore—the only East Coast terminal serviced by two rail lines—represents a competitive advantage for CONSOL Energy. The geographic proximity of our terminal to our coal mines allows us to dynamically participate in the growth of world coal markets. In 2012, the terminal shipped 12.7 million tons of coal to Asia, Europe and South America. WVE: What are you doing to ensure CONSOL will continue to be a leader in coal and natural gas for years to come? BH: In 2012, we began to take a hard look at our energy portfolio and began to divest non-core, non-revenue producing assets. We have also begun a process to monetize some assets, such as Midstream, that we are currently operating but that supplement our core businesses. Our goal when evaluating asset sales is to enter into transactions that can narrow the gap between our share price and the value of all of our assets. We are also growing production in both coal and gas. We expect to add 5 million tons of coal per year with the opening of BMX Mine next year, and gas production continues to grow at 8-15 percent per year. There is also new potential in oil and liquids through our natural gas operations. We will come out of the recession as a bigger, stronger, more diverse company prepared to capitalize on opportunities when the economy turns. WVE: What is your favorite part of being involved in energy production? BH: Fossil fuels are a vital resource that have allowed this country to become a global industrial leader and to support a quality of life that represents a standard many other countries are trying to achieve. And we continue to depend on these energy sources to power our modern daily life. It’s rewarding to know we play a part in driving the quality of life that all Americans have come to expect. WVE: You have held many leadership positions in the energy industry. What do you think the biggest changes have been over the years? BH: The coal industry has reinvented itself over and over again. American innovation pushes continuous improvement, and it happens across every facet of our lives. If you think about music 50 years ago, we have been through vinyl, eight-track, cassette, compact disc and digital mediums, and who knows where we’re going. Energy production is the same way—how we’re mining it, getting it to market and certainly how we’re converting it to generate electricity. For example, a coal-fired power plant brought online today is 90 percent cleaner than the one it replaces. Since I started my career 33 years ago, coal generation for electricity has nearly tripled while emissions have been reduced by half. Technology is working and will continue to make progress. Again, that’s just the product of our best and brightest pushing new and better ways to deliver the energy we need. WVE: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career in the energy industry? BH: The biggest challenge in my career has been finding effective ways to improve the safety culture of CONSOL Energy. Every great journey starts with a first step. Five years ago, we
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Without a cohesive energy policy, American families continue to struggle, and the American economy lags behind in the global marketplace.
developed the Absolute ZERO program based on a simple philosophy: Absolute ZERO is not just a goal; it’s a value. And it is not just a value; it is our top value. From our world-class training program to incentives and awards that include time off and bonuses for performance, our employees are impacted personally by the initiative and have responded positively. We have also stressed contractor safety as being as important to us as the safety of our company employees. We mean it, and we reinforce it every day. We are also spending time to develop best practices for both our coal and gas operations and eyeing safety improvements for the equipment we use every day. Effective communication is the key to success on all those fronts. After 33 years in the mining business, I can see we are getting the message through, and we are seeing the positive effects. In 2012, CONSOL Energy had its best safety year on record with an overall (coal and gas) incident rate of 1.30. Notably, our coal division saw safety exceptions drop 11 percent to 1.67 and the gas division worked another year without incurring a lost time incident. WVE: What is the biggest misconception you see regarding the industry, whether it’s overall or it focuses on coal or natural gas? BH: From an energy producer’s viewpoint, one of the most frustrating things is that the opposition would have you believe we are in a crisis when it comes to air and water quality. The reality is we are the envy of the world and coal is a necessary cornerstone in leading a resurgent American manufacturing sector with affordable, reliable energy now and in the future. While the world continues to use our coal to modernize their societies and strengthen their competitive posture, we diminish our competitiveness in the world by abandoning it. Without a cohesive energy policy, American families continue to struggle, and the American economy lags behind in the global marketplace. WVE: What can West Virginia do to create a friendlier place for the energy industry to do business? BH: I commend Governor Tomblin and other leaders in West Virginia who are taking a common sense approach to the
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state’s regulatory framework. They support energy production and job creation in a responsible manner. For example, the recently passed shale regulation bill is a model for other states to follow as it provides the predictability and certainty needed for the energy business, which is capital intensive, to operate and commit to future expansion. WVE: In your opinion, what must the state do to prepare for the future of energy? BH: As I mentioned earlier, technology drives innovation in the energy business, and to support these new technologies, the entire industry must invest in the transition to a younger work force. At CONSOL Energy, we are hiring approximately 500 new employees per year, and the jobs we are filling require technical skills that didn’t necessarily exist 25 years ago. We must also tap local talent and encourage work force development efforts that prepare the next generation for careers in energy. WVE: What is the key to the nation embracing this new age of natural gas and what must they do to compete with the surrounding states? BH: The shale gas revolution has the potential to alter the energy landscape around the world, and, in doing so, reshuffle the deck in terms of foreign policy as well. Energy security is within our reach if we embrace the opportunity and public policies that encourage—not inhibit—responsible resource extraction. WVE: What do you think the energy industry will look like in 10 years? BH: That is hard to predict. Five years ago, the industry was growing at a rapid pace. The health of our domestic and global economies will largely dictate the evolution of the energy industry. World demand will increase by more than 50 percent in the next two decades while domestic demand is expected to increase by 20 percent in the same timeframe. The energy industry has always had ups and downs, but CONSOL Energy is well positioned to provide the gas and coal the world will require in the coming years. Photography by Tracy Toler and CONSOL Energy
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High-Tech, Down Under By Kensie Hamilton
Hidden under the hills and mountains
of West Virginia you will find two of our most useful energy resources: coal and natural gas. Those of us who are blessed with the opportunity to reap the benefits and byproducts produced by these resources might not consider what it takes to get the job done. The highly skilled workers and innovative technology that come together to power this country are awe-inspiring to see in action. With the help of Gastar Exploration and Coal River Energy, we are proud to be able to give you a glimpse of the technology working underground in West Virginia. ď Ž Photography by Tracy Toler
LEFT: Baker Hughes Inc.’s engineers monitor a fracture treatment for Gastar Exploration. RIGHT: A row of pump trucks on fracture treatment.
Top left: The controls of a wireline truck perforate Gastar Marcellus Shale wells. Top right: A Baker Hughes Inc. pump truck operator monitors fracturing treatment. Bottom: Five Gastar Exploration Marcellus wells located in Marshall County.
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left: An exposed decanter (screen bowl) showing the internal elements responsible for removing the water from the washed coal. Top right: The control panel at the Coal River Processing Loadout used to load the trains. Bottom Left: Trucks waiting to be loaded at Coal River Processing’s Fork Creek Prep Plant. Bottom Right: An employee checks the Master Control Center at Coal River Processing.
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West Virginia Coal An Opportunity to Lead
By Chris Hamilton
Coal plays a significant role both in our state and
across the country, and despite the challenges we face here at home, West Virginia has the potential to be a global energy leader—if we choose to be. Coal has long been one of West Virginia’s leading industries. For decades, it has provided thousands of good-paying jobs, infusing millions of dollars into local and state economies and providing low-cost electricity for its industries and residents. Most recently, however, a variety of factors ranging ExEdge from mild weather patterns and an abundance of inexpensive shale gas to a more difficult to mine The United Mine reserve base and unprecedented over-regulation Workers of America, formed has caused West Virginia to experience a loss of in Columbus, coal markets and a decrease in coal production. Ohio, in 1890, You can be assured that the “War on Coal” organized in is real. It has—and will continue to—hurt the West Virginia in 1902 after industry and the thousands of families who rely several failed on coal mining to survive. In fact, we are trying to attempts. weather one of the fiercest political assaults any Source: http:// American industry has ever seen, save the tobacco www.wvculture. industry, and it is not over. The West Virginia coal org/history/ industry is surviving, though, and it is part of the minewars.html reason why West Virginia is thriving.
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Today, as an industry, our role is critically important to our nation’s quest to become energy independent and break that unholy grip of our dependence on foreign oil. Coal holds the key to our country’s ability to become energy independent, secure our borders and bolster our nation’s defense system. Renewable fuel sources have a role to play, but they cannot power America 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rain or shine.
Preparing for Growth Overseas
Coal Severance Boosts Budget Never before in the state’s history has the coal industry been responsible for a greater share of the state tax revenues or prosperity throughout all facets of state and local governments. According to a report by the business research facilities at West Virginia University and Marshall University, the coal industry provides more than $3.4 billion in wages and a total economic impact of $26 billion for the state each year. As a result of significant and sustained increases in coal severance and other business taxes, the Mountain State has been one of only a few states to have balanced budgets—and budget surpluses—during the current recession years since 2008. West Virginia’s Rainy Day Fund has climbed to unprecedented levels because of annual budget surpluses that have been driven, in large part, by coal severance tax revenues. Coal severance collections alone have more than doubled from 2007 to 2012 to an all-time record high of $500 million last year. Property and income taxes from coal have made similar gains during this period. Even with current losses and predictions of revised downward adjustments in collections, overall taxes from coal remain higher than ever before. Coal and electric utilities account for more than 60 percent of all business taxes. Distribution of coal severance dollars to all 55 counties funds education and social programs—and that’s after the first $22 million goes to infrastructure projects all across the state. Moving beyond our borders, we believe coal will continue to play an important role in our country’s energy mix for decades to come. Furthermore, we believe coal will remain viable throughout the world. It continues to be the largest source of electric power generation among all fuels—more than 90 percent in West Virginia and 40 percent in the United States. Domestic and world electric demand and steel production continues to grow, and these demands cannot be met without coal.
Without question, coal use is projected to increase around the world. In fact, it is already happening. In just one year, coal exports grew 40 percent, increasing from $5.3 billion in 2011 to $7.4 billion in 2012, and West Virginia coal accounted for 49 percent of U.S. coal exports. Seaborne coal tonnage will grow over the next five to seven years, and we have to position ourselves to capitalize on that opportunity by cutting costs, becoming more efficient, influencing public policy and becoming more involved in the politics of the industry. The use of coal on a worldwide basis is already on the rise. Coal is predicted to surpass oil as the world’s energy of choice by 2017, according to the International Energy Agency. China, India, Africa and other growing regions are using more coal. Why? A big reason is that steel production is up worldwide due to economic growth, and you cannot make steel without coal. This growth is driving increases in metallurgical coal supplies in developing countries. These nations are growing and consuming steel and energy in developing their basic infrastructure. Other nations see coal the way America used to view this resource: as an abundant, low-cost and reliable fuel. America became a manufacturing superpower thanks to coal, and it can’t be a coincidence that our global domination waned when we stopped fostering coal industry development. West Virginia is the epicenter of the coal industry, and the opportunity is ripe for us to not only satisfy our domestic energy needs but to capitalize on rising worldwide coal demand.
Challenges Remain Now, the reality: the coal industry is being attacked on many fronts today by government and special interest groups, and these attacks have been well documented. Although the industry has always had its share of challenges, never have they been as serious or threatening as they are today. Our current challenges include: • Global climate change; • Cap and trade; • Building a renewable portfolio; • Carbon taxes; • Lack of meaningful national energy policy; • The Environmental Protection Agency’s multi-pronged regulatory assault on Appalachian coal and • The campaign against mountaintop mining. Last fall, we coined the phrase “Our government is coming at us by Air, Land and Sea!” because the federal government under the current administration was using every resource available to harm the coal industry. This regulatory assault settled down while the president was seeking re-election, but the administration has made it clear it is going to continue its assault on mining.
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Even a cursory glance at the national energy agenda has caused power plant closings, lost coal production, increased utility rates and fuel switching. These are real threats that have a negative impact on all coal mining in our region and occupy a lot of time within other various legislative and public forums. These are political issues driven by political agendas. They require political solutions supported by brave, educated leaders who look past the rhetoric and focus on the facts. Closer to home, we have our own challenges on top of the regulatory assault. Reports of West Virginia’s declining reserve base have been well documented. Higher production costs and greater geologic and technical challenges mean coal operators are presented with thinner seams and reserves that are more difficult to access. In simple terms, we have mined the easy stuff. But West Virginia has plenty of coal left, and our industry is working hard to bring it to market safely and efficiently. As West Virginia’s immediate future remains challenging, other coal producing regions have a brighter outlook. The Powder River and Illinois basins are poised to prosper in the coming years and encroach further into markets currently held by West Virginia and other eastern coal producers.
Seizing the Opportunity The United States will continue to use coal for years. That fact is borne out of basic baseload power demands. As we have seen, coal use will continue to grow around the world. The real questions today are where the coal will come from and who will benefit from the mining jobs and production revenues. As a state, we have the potential to become an international center for energy and commerce if we can compete effectively, sustain our presence in domestic and world markets and approach it correctly—with reason, intelligence and common sense. To retain its viability in domestic and world markets, West Virginia’s coal industry must become more efficient and competitive. The industry is committed to operating in the safest and most efficient manner possible with uncompromising detail to environmental quality. The coal industry is full of environmentalists, and we take that responsibility seriously. So, is our glass half-empty or half-full? With widespread slowdowns, layoffs, mine closures, lost production and growing reports of our purported demise, some would say our glass appears to be half-empty. But I ask you to look at our industry with fresh eyes. We have the best, highest-grade metallurgical coal, and world demand is rapidly increasing. As natural gas prices inevitably trend upward, coal will regain market share. As you can see, our glass is half-full. Yes, the coal industry has its challenges at home and abroad, but West Virginia coal can provide for our families, protect America and power the world. The opportunity is before us. We must work together and make West Virginia the global energy leader we know it can be. Photography by Tracy Toler
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NARCO tailors OEM machines to specific mine conditions. We make maintenance components more accessible, modify operator’s compartments and extend the life of equipment that has been underground for years. NARCO rebuilds every system in its own shop with top-quality parts, fully backed with a 180-day warranty. We’ll help install your machine and perform non-scheduled maintenance. Our work meets or exceeds OEM specifications and is EM&R approved. Your unit will be back in service on time and within budget.
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Fueling the Future By Travis Buggey
In the early 1990s, efforts began in
West Virginia and other states to initiate a transition to natural gas as a replacement for oil-derived transportation fuels. Natural gas fueling stations began springing up in the state and region, and operators of fleet vehicles in government and private sector companies converted a portion of their vehicles to use the cleaner-burning domestic fuel. However, within a few years, the adoption of natural gas as a transportation fuel subsided due to rising natural gas costs and technological limitations. Now—20 years later—natural gas transportation fuels have come of age. The adoption of natural gas transportation fuels is driven by the two factors that slowed its adoption two years ago: economics and technological advancement. The ability to cost-effectively extract large volumes of natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales, as well as numerous other shale deposits across the country and around the globe, has disrupted the historically volatile fluctuations of natural gas pricing. Although most energy sector experts believe natural gas prices will continue to increase in the next few years, the abundance of natural gas supplies is likely to prevent the type of price escalation that occurred in previous market cycles.
Meanwhile, the price of petroleum is again rising due to increased global demand—particularly in growing Asian markets—and the potential for geopolitical turmoil in regions that feed the world’s oil appetite, such as the Middle East, Venezuela and Russia. In addition to the commodity pricing factors, the cost of operating vehicles on natural gas has improved. Advancements in vehicle engine technology specific to burning natural gas fuels have allowed many original equipment manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Chrysler and Volvo to now offer natural gas vehicles direct from the factory. In addition, many gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles can be taken to facilities that convert them to operate on natural gas fuels. Further improving economics, there are attractive tax credits available in West Virginia and other jurisdictions that are accelerating the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. West Virginia’s state tax code provides the following state tax credits for qualifying alternative fuel conversions: • For vehicles that weigh less than 26,000 pounds, the tax credit is 50 percent of the conversion cost, up to a maximum tax credit of $7,500. • For vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds, the tax credit is 50 percent of the conversion cost, up to a maximum tax credit of $25,000.
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Types of Natural Gas Transportation Fuels • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Natural gas is compressed to high pressures and stored in gas cylinders. • Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Natural gas is compressed further than CNG until it takes a liquid form. Storage requires temperature and pressure controls. • Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) Propane is derived from natural gas production in certain types of natural gas deposits referred to as “wet gas.” Propane is stored in liquid form in tank cylinders. CNG, LNG and LPG each have certain advantages that make each one superior for different situations depending upon various factors, including vehicle purpose, location and fuel availability.
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There are also numerous environmental and maintenance costs associated with meeting increasingly stringent vehicle emissions requirements while burning diesel or gasoline fuel only. Catalytic converters and particulate exhaust filters are expensive to maintain and replace, even on brand new diesel-burning engines, and add a considerable amount to the purchase price of new vehicles. Burning 100 percent natural gas completely eliminates the need for emissions controls, and burning a combination of natural gas with diesel fuel allows the potential for compliance to strict emissions standards without exhaust emission controls. Building out natural gas fueling infrastructure is underway and does not pose a technical hurdle. Natural gas transportation pipelines and storage infrastructure, including propane and natural gas, already exists in many areas of the United States. There are a number of companies building out natural gas and propane fueling stations across the country, including West Virginia. The adoption of natural gas vehicles is taking place here and now, with a projected 300,000 aftermarket conversions to occur in the U.S. in the next five years. In addition to economic benefits that are enhanced by
state tax credits, the transition of part of our nation’s transportation fuel use to natural gas is strengthening our national economy and accelerating energy independence. Further, the use of natural gas vehicles results in reduced environmental emissions while creating new markets for natural gas developed in West Virginia and the surrounding region. The use of natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel for state vehicles holds the prospect of significantly reducing West Virginia’s state fuel budget. The state’s fuel demand can be used to attract significant private sector investment into natural gas fueling stations across the state. These investments in natural gas fueling infrastructure can be structured in such a manner that the state’s fuel demand acts as an anchor that enables private natural gas fueling infrastructure to be built at a considerably higher capacity than what is needed by the state alone. This additional capacity can enable natural gas as a transportation fuel to be sold to other public and private sector fleet vehicle operators. The resulting savings can reduce the overall cost of doing business, making the state’s economy more efficient and cost effective while providing a competitive advantage to West Virginia businesses.
Further, the use of natural gas vehicles results in reduced environmental emissions while creating new markets for natural gas developed in West Virginia and the surrounding region.
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Around the State Energy Overview Compiled by jennifer jett
Oil and Gas Control Systems Manufacturer to Build $9 Million Plant Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has announced that Pietro Fiorentini USA plans to build a manufacturing facility in the Three Springs Business Park in Weirton, WV. The $9 million plant is expected to create up to 41 jobs during the initial phase and up to 150 when fully operational. “These are the type of jobs we have always believed development of the Marcellus Shale would produce,” says Gov. Tomblin. “I’m pleased Pietro Fiorentini has chosen to locate its new manufacturing plant in West Virginia. I’d like to thank the West Virginia Development Office, the Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle and the Independent Oil and Gas Association for working collaboratively with Pietro Fiorentini USA to bring these jobs to Brooke County.”
Parent company Pietro Fiorentini S.p.a., based in Italy, is a world leader in the production of pressure regulators, valves and pressure reducing and metering systems for the natural gas industry. Although the company has a sales office and a distributorship in the U.S., the West Virginia plant will be its first manufacturing operation in the country. The new facility will produce components for the treatment of shale oil and gas. “Pietro Fiorentini decided to invest in West Virginia after completing a feasibility study that covered several states in the nation,” says Sergio Trevisan, general manager for Pietro Fiorentini S.p.a. “Our study confirmed that the Marcellus area has a large potential yet to be developed, and this was the main decision factor. Specifically in the Marcellus area, West Virginia offers, in our opinion, an interesting business atmosphere combined with an excellent support from the state.
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We are willing to be at the center of the area, and West Virginia fully responded to this prerequisite. Pietro Fiorentini is setting up here a manufacturing and logistic base for gas conditioning equipment, oil and gas treatment and reducing and metering plants already distributed in more than 80 countries.” Pietro Fiorentini USA plans to lease space at the former Wheeling Corrugating Plant in Brooke County currently owned by Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle and Hackman Capital to get operations underway within six months. Construction on the new manufacturing facility is expected to start this summer. “Having Pietro Fiorentini build its new plant in Weirton will be the single biggest manufacturing project in the panhandle for nearly a generation,” says Patrick Ford, executive director of Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle. “The investment by this company, coupled with the recent announcements in the panhandle of the investment of Sheehan Pipeline and the expansion of Ergon, clearly places Brooke and Hancock counties on the radar of the oil and gas industry.”
Energy Corporation of America to Build New Eastern Headquarters in Charleston Officials with Energy Corporation of America (ECA) recently announced the company will soon break ground on its new eastern headquarters at a site in Charleston’s Northgate Business Park. According to Chief Operating Officer Kyle Mork, the company is constructing a new, 60,000-square-foot building that will house ECA’s eastern operations. The new facility will provide the organization with adequate space for continued growth.
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“It is a very exciting time for natural gas companies,” says Mork. “Thanks to technological advancements, like horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and opportunities offered by shale gas and oil, the industry is experiencing a renaissance. This renaissance is leading to unprecedented growth throughout the industry, and I am pleased to say that ECA is growing as well. At present, our eastern headquarters is located in the Energy Center on 56th Street in Kanawha City. While the location has served us well for more than 25 years, space is limited. With nearly 110 employees in this office, we have reached capacity for the building.” ECA is partnering with Jarrett Construction, Terradon Corporation and Associated Architects to design and construct the new building, which will facilitate the company’s continued expansion. The new eastern headquarters will ultimately house about 200 employees in Charleston, representing growth of nearly 100 percent in the years to come. “As one of the few large oil and natural gas companies remaining in Charleston, we are proud to renew ECA’s commitment to the Mountain State, and specifically its capital city,” Mork says. “In 2013, we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, and the construction of our new eastern headquarters at Northgate is representative of our commitment to another 50 years and indicative of our plans to develop the Marcellus, and other horizons, from this new office for decades to come.”
NAFTC Begins Work on Hydrogen Production and Fueling Station The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC),
a program of West Virginia University (WVU), recently announced that initial grading of the site and groundwork has begun for a new hydrogen fueling station in Morgantown, the first in the state and only the 10th nationally. WVU will demonstrate the efficiency of running automobiles on hydrogen fuel made from coal-powered electricity, a step that could help break America’s dependence on imported oil, use coal in an environmentally-sound manner and keep the Mountain State at the forefront of another evolving energy industry. The project includes the development and installation of equipment to produce and dispense hydrogen fuel along with a detailed testing and evaluation program, using five hydrogenpowered vehicles to study the feasibility of using hydrogen in internal combustion engines in different operating environments. “Hydrogen is being used as a fuel for passenger vehicles,” says Bill Davis, acting NAFTC director. “Several vehicle manufacturers, such as Honda, Toyota and GM, are using it in fuel cells to power electric motors. Our study will be testing its use in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen is currently only available at a few locations nationwide, so making it available in West Virginia will put us at the forefront of a relatively new industry. “The effort is unique in that it will support obtaining hydrogen fuel by using domestic fossil energy. It is likely that in the long term hydrogen will either be produced from coal or coal will provide the electricity necessary for the production of hydrogen via electrolysis. Obviously, as a coal-powered state, this could be significant to West Virginia and could make our state a national leader in the use of hydrogen.” Located near the WVU Bicentennial House on Mileground Road in Morgantown, the hydrogen fuel dispensing station is expected to be completed in mid-summer. NAFTC is the only alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle training organization in the U.S. It provides training infrastructure for implementing widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles in an effort focused on increasing America’s energy security, lessening its dependence on petroleum and improving air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation systems.
underground, underwater and in a wide variety of environmentally challenging areas. Silverman says the sensors also serve as remote environmental monitoring devices. “This critical technology could safeguard the use of approximately 2.5 million miles of pipelines crisscrossing the nation,” says INNOVA Director Guy Peduto. “We were able to make an investment in BSI of $500,000 each by utilizing funds provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and West Virginia Capital Access Program funds,” says Andy Zulauf, executive director for WVJIT. The result, he says, will enable BSI to locate a facility in West Virginia, develop its technology and hire a highly-skilled local staff. What makes this program so unique and a success, according to Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Commerce Keith Burdette, is the outstanding team enabling BSI to expand and grow their West Virginia work force. “Berkeley Springs Instruments is the type of high-tech company we love to help grow in West Virginia,” says Burdette, “and this announcement is a great example of how the state has matched multiple programs, such as WVJIT and INNOVA, by utilizing the West Virginia Capital Access Program to meet their needs and encourage their growth.”
West Virginia Hosts Inaugural Appalachian Basin Natural Gas Vehicle Expo and Conference Hundreds of natural gas and automotive industry professionals
INNOVA Commercialization Group and the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust Partner to Launch Berkeley Springs Instruments INNOVA Commercialization Group, an initiative of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation and the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT) are proud to officially sign a collaborative loan of $1 million to Berkeley Springs Instruments, LLC (BSI) to help create research and development jobs in West Virginia as well as fund and commercialize the company’s newest state-of-the-art innovation: the Eagle Array Sensor. Upon raising the initial $500,000, BSI plans to open a new research and development facility in Berkeley Springs, which would initially require two to five employees. “The Eagle Array Sensor is what we call an intelligent sensor,” says Dr. Gene Silverman, president of BSI. “It is designed to monitor the integrity of petroleum and gas pipelines and tanks in a way never imagined before.” Powered by the sun, the Eagle Array Sensor is wireless and can be accessed via the Internet. It can be installed aboveground,
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from across the nation attended the inaugural event of the Appalachian Basin Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Expo and Conference on May 13-15 at the Charleston Civic Center in West Virginia. Hosted by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA), this conference brought together energy innovators, business leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for using the basin’s abundant energy supply to transform the transportation industry. Conference participants had the opportunity to see conversion kits, equipment and compressed natural gas derivative-fueled vehicles firsthand. Because of the shale gas revolution in the Appalachian Basin, natural gas is now considered the game changer in transforming the nation’s transportation needs. At the Appalachian Basin NGV Expo and Conference, attendees had the opportunity to preview the newest advancements in alternative fuel production and discover the latest developments in compressed natural gas and propane refueling infrastructure. WVONGA partnered with the
Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Gas Association and the Virginia Oil and Gas Association to host this first-ever Appalachian Basin NGV conference. Key sponsors of the event included America’s Natural Gas Alliance, Chesapeake Energy, CONSOL Energy, Antero Resources, Noble Energy, PDC Energy, Mountaineer Gas, Nabors Industries and Waste Management. An outstanding array of conference speakers shared their insight and experience, including Richard Kolodziej, president of NGV America; Bill Davis, assistant director of operations with the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium and Dr. Jon Coleman, fleet sustainability and technology manager with Ford Motor Company. Exhibitors showcased the latest products and services, including vehicle manufacturers and other industry professionals who are changing the way America fuels its fleets. “The West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association was delighted to bring this conference to the Appalachian Basin and showcase the exciting developments
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taking place in the transportation industry that have resulted from the discovery and development of shale gas,” says Corky DeMarco, executive director of WVONGA. “Since Governor Tomblin has made the conversion of West Virginia’s fleet vehicles to compressed natural gas and propane a priority, we were thrilled to be included in supporting this initiative.”
Alpha Natural Resources to Open World-Class Mine Training Facility Alpha Natural Resources will hold a public dedication of their new Running Right Leadership Academy at Julian in Boone County on Thursday, June 20. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the company’s regional headquarters right off Corridor G on U.S. 119. The 136,000-square-foot facility, the first of its kind, will be a world-class center for mine safety, training and development. The projected cost for the five-building complex is $23 million. “We are really excited about the leadership academy,” says Alpha Natural Resources CEO Kevin Crutchfield. “We hope to give people exposure to underground mining before they ever go underground. We will be able to simulate fire and smoke and give people the experience of learning the process as opposed to putting them underground as a red hat with an experienced miner so they will be more up to speed than they would be otherwise.” The facility is to include a mine lab of approximately 96,000 feet where simulated mine situations and conditions can be presented to certified supervisors and examiners to solve and correct. The space will also include facilities and equipment for electrical and maintenance skills training and equipment for supervisory leadership skills training. The mine training academy will be open to other mining companies and is expected to start operations sometime this summer or fall.
Robert C. Byrd Institute Honored for Efforts in Green Manufacturing The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing (RCBI) has been honored with the second annual Governor’s Award for Leadership in Advanced Green Manufacturing. Presentation of the award was a feature of the Industries of the Future-West Virginia
(IOF-WV) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol in March. The annual event is presented by IOF-WV to focus attention on how high-tech manufacturing, innovation and entrepreneurship are transforming the West Virginia economy. In accepting the award, RCBI Director and CEO Charlotte Weber said RCBI “has been bringing a green touch to regional manufacturing since we were established in 1990.” Weber went on to say that manufacturers using the sophisticated equipment available to them at RCBI are able to make products in less time with less energy and less waste. “That’s what green manufacturing is all about.” L-R: Jeff Herholdt, West Virginia Division of Energy; Charlotte Weber, Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing and Mark Julian, West Virginia Development Office.
Just Beneath the Surface Alliance Hosted First “Career Day-Opportunities for Life” Event Nearly 300 students from Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor counties participated in two sessions during the “Career DayOpportunities for Life” event held in late April at the United Technical Center (UTC) in Clarksburg, WV. Eleven industry representatives participated in the event from the following companies: Denex Petroleum Corporation, E & H Manufacturing, HG Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Pierpont Community & Technical College, Gastar Exploration, Select Energy Services and Waste Management. This career day event was part of the Energy Speaks education initiative and was aimed to help educate high school students about career opportunities and provide information regarding the oil and natural gas industry in the region. “This is a great opportunity for local students to learn more about this industry and the jobs available right here in West Virginia,” says Dennis Xander, president of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia and industry spokesperson for Just Beneath the Surface. “We are grateful to be able to meet with these bright students to help provide them with personal stories and career facts related to the natural gas industry.” Following the career day presentations, a group of industry representatives attended the UTC’s open house to provide additional information to current students as well as prospective students and their families. Students were encouraged to visit information booths where they had the opportunity to talk oneon-one with industry experts. Students also received Energy Speaks fact sheets and were given the opportunity to apply for the 2013 class of the Tom Dunn Energy Leadership Academy.
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Bluefield State College Engineering and Computer Science Students Receive Short Course in Solar Panel Training at Virginia Tech Collaboration between Bluefield State College (BSC) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech is underway to provide hands-on training for 15 BSC students. The students will learn how to install solar panels and grid systems in Dr. Jih-Sheng Lai’s lab at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Lai is an internationally recognized expert in energy-efficient electronic technologies for transportation and industrial automation. All course instruction will take place three hours per day for five days over the course of the semester. In return, a five-member team of solar and alternative energy scholars, led by Lai, presented a lecture to more than 30 students and faculty at BSC on October 1. In their lectures, the Virginia Tech visitors emphasized that solar panel utilization has enormous potential as a natural energy source in this region. Earlier this academic year, BSC Professors Bob Riggins and Roy Pruett
A Bluefield State College faculty delegation recently traveled to Virginia Tech to receive a solar panel training session.
took Bluefield State students to Virginia Tech for the first of five classes to be offered over a two-month period. The classes will provide hands-on training involving solar energy. At the end of the training, BSC students will receive solar panel installation demonstrations and supplies they can then utilize while practicing solar panel installation at BSC. “Virginia Tech will teach the basic switching amplifier principle and provide each participating student with a Class-D
audio amplifier kit that can play MP3 music with solar power,” says Dr. Tesfaye Belay, a professor at Bluefield State. “A primary benefit of this project will be the involvement of undergraduate students and high school students throughout the entire process of the solar project, thereby enhancing STEM education at BSC.” The solar panel research project is supported by $100,000 awarded to Belay from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Department of Energy.
Consol Coal Company Claims Greenlands Award
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Consolidation Coal Company and their Turkey Gap Refuse Impoundment in Mercer County was awarded the Greenlands Award, the state’s top award for environmental stewardship, at the West Virginia Coal Association’s 40th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium in March. “We would like to congratulate Consolidation Coal Company and all the other companies who were recognized for their hard work and responsible reclamation,” says Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. “Each of these companies goes far beyond what is required to restore former mine lands. We always say coal miners are the real environmentalists. They don’t just talk about doing something—they go out and do it. They do it because this is their home. We are proud to represent these companies and the 63,000 coal mining families who live and work here in West Virginia.” In presenting the Greenlands Award to Consol, West Virginia Coal Association Vice President Jason Bostic said, “This award is for their work in reclaiming a refuse area, a preparation plant and a deep
mine complex. After reclamation of the mining complex was completed, Consol initiated reclamation of the impoundment in 2011 and finished it in 2012, leaving an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional end result.” Coal-Mac’s New Ridge East Surface Mine in Mingo County took home the Turkey Habitat Award for its work in restoring former surface mine land for wildlife habitat. According to Bostic, Coal-Mac’s work “combined the best of mountaintop mining, returning the area to a post mine land use of hay land and pasture while integrating the development of a habitat for wild turkeys.” Bostic noted that the site had already hosted several guided turkey hunts for area youth. “These winners demonstrate the importance our industry places on being environmentally responsible,” Bostic says. “Our companies are at the cutting edge of the science of environmental reclamation, recognized the world over for their work.” Thirteen other companies were also recognized for their commitment to the environment at the symposium, one of the nation’s top coal industry events. The Surface Mine Reclamation awards went to Alex Energy Inc.’s Whitman Surface Mine and Ten-A Coal Co.’s Koon Surface Mine. Wolf Run Mining Company’s Reed Hollow Refuse and Kanawha Energy Company’s Jackson Hollow Refuse were recognized with the Refuse Reclamation awards, while Met Resources, LLC’s McComas Surface Mine #1 and Apogee Coal Company’s Guyan Surface Mine took home the Drainage and Sediment Control awards. Pocahontas Coal Company’s East Gulf Complex claimed the Coal Refuse Reclamation South Award, and Collins Building & Contracting and Eastern Arrow’s Sugar Branch Burning Refuse
were awarded the AML awards. The Deep Mine Reclamation South Award was presented to Consol Coal Company’s Itmann #3 Mine, the Haulroad Construction South Award was presented to Met Resources, LLC’s McComas Haulroad and Mingo-Logan Coal Company’s Mountain Laurel Complex was recognized with the Pool Dewatering Project Award.
A-Zone Environmental Announces Staff Certification as Licensed Remediation Specialists A-Zone Environmental Services, LLC is pleased to announce that two of its key personnel are now licensed remediation specialists in the State of West Virginia. Michael Bruzzesi, senior project manager, and Jesse Morgan, vice president and director of operations, were certified as licensed remediation specialists by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in March upon successful completion of the application process and written exam. “We are extremely proud of Mike and Jesse for achieving this certification,” says Adrienne Morgan, president of A-Zone Environmental Services. “Having two licensed remediation specialists on staff will allow us to enhance our services to our fellow West Virginia businesses, agencies and entities.” Bruzzesi is a licensed professional geologist in the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania and has more than 15 years of experience in environmental consulting as well as managing and performing field services. Morgan holds a master’s degree in geology from West Virginia University and is currently a licensed well driller in the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
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“FrackNation” Film Shown at West Liberty University Highlands Center West Liberty University’s Highlands Center was the site for a screening of the controversial documentary “FrackNation” on May 6. The event was free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Center for Economic Philosophy at West Liberty University, the evening included a question and answer forum after the film. Described as a journalist’s search for the truth about fracing for natural gas, the documentary is directed by journalist Phelim McAleer, who was in attendance for the showing. “FrackNation is pro-truth and proinvestigative journalism. It reveals the exaggerations and frauds that are at the heart of the anti-fracing movement and the length activists will go to reach their goal of banning fracing,” says McAleer. “FrackNation” follows McAleer across America as he faces threats, malicious 911 calls and bogus lawsuits for trying to question green extremists for the truth about fracing. McAleer uncovers fracing facts suppressed by environmental activists, and he talks with rural Americans whose livelihoods are at risk if fracing is banned.
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Fracing is a way of extracting oil and gas from deep in the earth that has led to a fossil fuel boom in many states across the U.S. It has also become a target of the environmental movement and was attacked in the HBO documentary “Gasland” and Matt Damon’s Hollywood movie “Promised Land,” according to McAleer. For more information on “FrackNation,” visit http://fracknation.com.
“Spirit of the Coalfields” Miners’ Celebration to Recognize Members of the Energy Industry The ”Spirit of the Coalfields” Miners’ Celebration will return to the Tamarack in Beckley on October 3 to recognize members of West Virginia’s energy industry in nearly a dozen award categories. According to event organizers, representatives of the state’s mining industry and community leaders will gather at the event to recognize miners, engineers, safety and environmental professionals and community members. “Many of our engineering graduates find employment in West Virginia’s mining industry, which depends upon thousands of individuals in a number of different
roles,” says Dr. Tony Szwilski, chairman of the event planning committee and director of Marshall University’s Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences. “Every person who works in the industry—whether they are a safety engineer, miner, environmental professional or equipment supplier—contributes to each ton of coal produced, as do countless community leaders and mining families. It is because of every one of them that the mining industry is successful. This event is intended to honor and recognize the contributions of everyone involved. Last year’s celebration was a rousing success, and we look forward to this year’s program being even bigger and better.” According to Szwilski, the Because of You awards will be presented in the following categories: Equipment/ Technology Innovation, Safety Champion, Women in Mining, Community Investment, Environmental Champion, Engineering, Community Involvement and Educator of the Year. In addition, the Homer Hickam Collier and Spirit of the Coalfields awards will be presented. Representatives of the Coal Heritage Highway Authority/National Coal Heritage Area will be on hand to present several of that organization’s top awards, including the Nick Joe Rahall Award for Outstanding Achievements in Coal Heritage Preservation, the Coal Heritage Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Coal Heritage Marketing Award and the Coal Heritage Research and Documentation Award. The “Spirit of the Coalfields” Miners’ Celebration will also feature exhibits and presentations that focus on a variety of aspects of the mining industry. The miners’ celebration is a cooperative project of the Center for Environmental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences at Marshall University; the National Coal Heritage Area; the United Mine Workers of America; the West Virginia Coal Association; Strategic Solutions LLC and the West Virginia Division of Energy, Office of Coalfield Community Development. For more information about the miners’ celebration, contact Teresa Buckland at (304) 696-3568 or by e-mail at buckland@ marshall.edu.
By Jennifer Jett
Skip Lineberg’s name may be familiar around the region for
his role as the chief innovation officer for the law firm Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC or as co-founder and former chief creative officer of Maple Creative. Around Charleston, though, he’s also known in the business community for mentoring energetic, innovative, driven women by teaching them how to further develop and then use their skills to propel their careers toward higher levels of success. Lineberg, who was honored in 2002 by West Virginia Executive as a Young Gun for his own talent, gets great personal satisfaction out of having the opportunity to help others grow in their careers by harnessing their talents and developing specialized skill sets, and he has taken on the responsibility of embracing the next generation of West Virginia’s best and brightest in order to help them find their place on the state’s roadmap to success. His mentees are successful women who now play vital roles across a diverse spectrum of industries and who use the talents he helped them develop to give back to their employers and their community.
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We had the unique opportunity to speak with Lineberg about his mentoring techniques and how he has found so much success in educating these women who have become remarkable female executives in West Virginia’s business community. WVE: In mentoring, how would you define the roles of the mentor and the protégé? SL: Mentoring is a dance. It is a progression, a series of interactions, between two people. Mentoring cannot be forced. The role of the mentor is to invest in the future success of a person, most often a younger professional. Those investments take the form of hundreds of conversations, e-mail exchanges, shared lunches and collaborative creations. Please note that I said “future success,” not immediate success. This speaks to the long-term nature of mentoring. It is not immediate and, therefore, requires patience from all parties. The role of the protégé is two-fold. First, she has to be open and committed to learning—and that means willingness to change and set aside the notion “I already know it all.” Next, she has to have intellectual curiosity—a hunger for learning and
a bent for applying new knowledge—that’s fueled by drive and energy. Marcus Buckingham, in his book “First Break All the Rules,” referred to this as “a talent for striving.” The art of pairing a mentor and a protégé is, indeed, an art more than it is a science. It is a mercurial thing. Compatibility, which is a necessary foundation, is often elusive or just plain absent. Are their learning styles compatible? What about communication style, temperament and energy level? Do both have the bandwidth? Is the timing right? Is there a true opportunity for mutual gain? Thus, matchmaking is a crapshoot at best. Across the gamut, there are more obvious misfits than glowing matches. WVE: Who was your mentor and what was the most important thing you learned from him or her? SL: I’ve had a few mentors in my life, and I am hopeful I will have other mentors as I continue to grow. I would say John Wells, Jr. was a great mentor to me. He took time to engage with me and talk about the things that were on my mind, like struggles, victories and life outside of work. When I think about what John taught me, the most important thing is this: I have to take care of myself. He showed me that being a workaholic is not the path to success. John emphasized to me the importance of rest, downtime, vacation, exercise and fellowship. He opened my eyes and ears to the concept of self-maintenance. This came through conversations and deep discussions, even storytelling. There was another lesson John imparted to me. This lesson came without a single word. It has to do with exercise and fitness. Anyone who knows me knows what a tremendous priority this is in my life, and I credit that to John. One encounter was all I needed to understand John’s position on fitness. This came after we had served together for several years as volunteers on the board of directors of the YMCA of the Kanawha Valley. During John’s second battle with cancer, after chemotherapy had ended and after it was very sadly apparent he was not going to survive, one Wednesday after work, I found John in the weight room at the Y. Thin and frail, John was still fighting, doing bicep curls with 25-pound dumbbells. Though he died a few days later, John never gave up fighting and never stopped investing in his personal fitness. That image stuck with me. WVE: Tell us about your first protégé. SL: My first protégé was Emily Bennington. That experience was very rich and rewarding. We wound up writing a book, “Effective Immediately.” Working with Emily, the return on time invested was very high. Over time, I learned as much or more from her in comparison to what I taught her. In addition, there are tons of things we learned together. Today, we remain close friends. WVE: Tell us about your approach to mentoring. SL: My approach is to open up a learning space with a person. We are going to learn from each other, and if I am not learning from my protégé, the process has not reached its full potential. Knowledge is evolving rapidly. What I learned yesterday is not necessarily true or relevant today; teaching, therefore, becomes a great way to update one’s knowledge. On the whole, opening up a learning space equates to an investment of time, energy, focus and intellectual bandwidth. Here’s the next point, and this is vitally important in my view: mentoring has to be a two-way street. I have to see a return
on investment. What I look for is growth and give-back. Is the person developing and growing? Is it beginning to click? Are they as invested in the relationship as I am? Do they initiate the learning conversations or exchanges to an appropriate extent, or does it feel that I have to force things most of the time? WVE: In the past you have compared your mentoring approach to that of a classroom curriculum. How are the two similar? SL: When I begin a mentoring relationship, I start with more of a formal approach. It’s not uncommon for me to show up for a mentoring session—and I would never call it such—with a one-pager of notes, learning points and maybe a suggested reading list. Reading and studying a book relevant to the area of interest is one way to approach it. From my experience, it is important for the mentor to take the responsibility for the learning content. To put this into an academic analogy, if I’m the professor, I am scripting the syllabus and dictating the lessons for the first phase; the successive phases, then, are more like a special topics course or independent study. Things usually grow more casual and conversational over time, as the primary learning has been handled and the trust has grown. The sooner, the better, and the mentee begins to initiate the learning topics either directly—“Hey, can you help me with this?”—or indirectly by the types and nature of questions. I strongly believe the key parameter is curiosity. I’ve found I cannot be very effective mentoring a young professional who does not have a genuine curiosity. A mentee who expects me to always drive the conversation or direct the learning is not going to be a fit for me. That’s not a universal truth but rather a personal tendency. WVE: As a gentleman who commonly mentors female protégés, what would you say are the challenges of mentoring across gender lines? SL: It is important to mentor both professional women and men. It may be true it is slightly more difficult, and therefore somewhat less common, for mentoring to flourish across gender lines. For some men, mentoring a female protégé may feel awkward, uncomfortable or threatening. That is not so for me. A related point, perhaps obvious but worth mentioning, is the sexual-attraction aspect. Flip that switch off. You simply do not go there. Mentoring is an intimate process. It involves a great deal of time spent together, working closely, side by side. It’s likely to involve lunches or dinners outside the office and perhaps even travel. When you are a mentor, you cannot blur the relationship lines. To do so, in my estimation, is to violate a sacred covenant and to destroy the foundation of openness and vulnerability essential for growth. WVE: What are your top how-to tips for new mentors? SL: My top how-to tips are: 1. Don’t be rigid in your approach. Be flexible and adapt your style to your mentee. Each person is different, and what worked with your last mentee may not be the ticket for this one. 2. Engage in mentoring tactics in a variety of methods and settings. Mentoring is not limited to an office or conference room. All of the following can be mentoring opportunities: car rides, ball games, restaurants and coffee shops—even voicemail messages and e-mails. 3. Recognize that your role involves a strong aspect of nurturing. Be quick with praise. Stay in touch and recognize
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Protégé Point of View Emily Bennington Skip was always trying to push me outside my comfort zone. I remember being maybe six months out of college when he asked me to make a really important client presentation even though we had other team members who were much more qualified. When I asked him why he chose me, he said, “Because I know you can do it, and I want everyone to see how talented you are.” It was the first time I had to rely on his confidence to carry me through a stretch experience. Of course, the more stretch experiences I had, the more comfortable I became—and that’s the power of a great mentor. Carrie Bowe Skip’s guidance has helped me understand the value of figuring things out for myself, not only for the wisdom gained, but for the entire experience of learning. His creative-critical-thinking approach and practical guidance has allowed me to both grow and advance in my career. His influence has taught me the importance of personal and professional development, hard work and learning to be confident in being me, in what I know and in who I am as a young professional woman. Jen Wood Cunningham There have been several times in my career when I reached out to Skip because I felt very defeated or lost. Each time, he reminded me there are no greater fears than the ones I create in my mind. He has helped me expand my horizons, strive for things in which I thought I wasn’t good enough and address areas in which I needed to improve. He continues to help me realize that in every situation there is an opportunity to learn and grow. I look up to him for his strength, leadership, generosity and kind heart. Pamela Kesling When I first met Skip, I was fresh out of college, shy and had no business savvy. I didn’t fully appreciate the opportunity I had to learn from him, and I put him off when I should have been saying “Yes, please.” After I began working with Skip, I realized I truly saw myself as a professional and no longer someone trying really hard to be a professional. Brooke Lord When I began working with Skip, he took the time to meet with me to not only train me but help me develop professionally. We met and identified learning objectives for me to work on. I will always be grateful Skip took his time to help me develop goals and identify areas where I wanted to grow as a professional, above and beyond teaching me about the world of a client services coordinator of a marketing firm. Holly Martin Skip has an amazing ability to open up a space for visionary discussions and to connect people with opportunities. Even more so, he has the ability to see potential in them and encourage that potential. Even though we may only get together for lunch once every six months, I count on those discussions to really help me find “true north.” I know Skip will be attuned to what needs I’m expressing for professional support, and I will always walk away from a “Skip meeting” with a list of resources
when your mentee is struggling; step in and be ready to nurture in those situations. It’s equally important for a good mentor to balance nurturing with giving candid criticism in a supportive, helpful manner when such is warranted. 4. Find the balance point between accessible/approachable and meddling/over-controlling. Be there when they need you, but don’t get in the way. WVE: How do you know when your mentoring has been successful? SL: It is usually defined by a pivotal moment that is marked by the occasion of the protégé completing some task, exercise or project better than I could have done it myself. I recall a specific episode where I had been teaching a protégé about presentations, more specifically “selling” ideas to clients. She and I had been through several exercises as well as a few actual projects. I felt I had conveyed all my major learning points, such as make it look great, be well rehearsed and dialog through all the anticipated questions, as well as the finer points like always have a Plan B, sometimes even a Plan C. When the next project opportunity came along, I assigned the presentation to her. I still remember the “Wow!” feeling. I was blown away. The construct and the format of the presentation were better than what I would have created. WVE: How have you personally benefited from being a mentor? SL: I find being a mentor very gratifying. It enables me to utilize my spiritual gifts and God-given talents. I know God put me on this earth to be a teacher. I’m not a classroom teacher, and I would probably make a horrible one at that. But I can be quite good at intensive, one-to-one teaching or coaching. At the DNA level, I am an encourager. As a result of having been a mentor, I have learned to adapt my communication style and my teaching style. It has helped me become more thoughtful and more tolerant. Mentoring has renewed and fortified my belief in the goodness of people. I also think, in some aspects, mentoring has helped shape me toward becoming a better parent to my children. WVE: For those who want to become mentors, what would you say is the first step? SL: Find a young person and take an interest in their success. From my view, the first step is the intention: deciding to take the time to invest in someone’s success. Be sure you’re ready to move in that direction. Remember that the person you pick may not end up fitting with you. You may not mesh well. That’s OK. You’ll have a few trials and errors, but eventually it will click, the learning space will grow and the relationship will flourish. WVE: For those looking for a mentor, what should they look for and where? SL: The bulletin board in the break room at the office—hey, that’s totally a joke. Look for someone you admire and respect. Who is someone in your world who could be a role model for you? It may be at your workplace. It might be someone in your church, or it could be someone whom you get to know through community service, like serving on the YMCA board or a hobby like community theater. Photography by Tracy Toler
Exploring the Exchange A Look at Health Insurance Marketplaces
There has been much debate over the ACA and its ensuing impact on individuals, families, employees and small businesses, including how these new marketplaces, also known as exchanges, will function.
By Perry Bryant
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), which
was passed in March 2010, has led to the creation of new health insurance marketplaces where individuals and small businesses can easily compare health insurance products and choose one that best suits their family’s needs. These new marketplaces will serve as mechanisms to promote quality and competition among health insurers for both the individual and small group market. Enrollment for individuals and small groups into these new marketplaces will begin October 1, 2013, with coverage effective as early as January 1, 2014. Under state law, only businesses with fewer than 50 employees can use the new marketplace. Large employers are not eligible for health insurance marketplaces, and their employees will see very little change in their coverage. However, the ACA requires that by 2017 the marketplace be open to employers with up to 100 employees as well. There has been much debate over the ACA and its ensuing impact on individuals, families, employees and small businesses, including how these new marketplaces, also known as exchanges, will function. One of the key features of this new system will be the simplicity of the application process. First, people will be able to fill out one simple form online, through the mail, over the phone or in person. In-person applications will be provided by a variety of organizations that have been trained and certified by either the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Second, applicants will have to provide only their name, address and social security number. Everything else, such as citizenship and income, will be confirmed electronically. Eligibility will be based on income and family size. Once an applicant’s information is confirmed, the new system will do one of the following:
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• Enroll applicants in Medicaid if they have family incomes of less than 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is about $27,000 per year for a family of three. • If appropriate, refer the person to traditional Medicaid to see if they qualify as being disabled or eligible for nursing home placement. • Offer a choice of private plans through the health insurance marketplaces to individuals without health insurance plans available to them and who are making more than 138 percent of the FPL. Individuals and families earning between 100 and 400 percent of the FPL will receive subsidies on a sliding scale to make their health insurance more affordable. • Families earning more than 400 percent of the FPL will be given an option to enroll with one of the private insurance companies authorized to be in the health insurance exchange but will have to pay the entire premium. An example might help explain how the marketplace will work. On October 1, 2013, an applicant whom we will refer to as John Smith will access the marketplace through the Web site. He will enter in his social security number and home address. The marketplace Web site will access an IRS database and indicate that John made $33,000 last year and claimed three dependents on his income tax return. John will confirm that his expected income will be $33,000 for the next year and that he has a wife and two children. Based on John’s income and family size, the marketplace calculates that his family has a federal poverty level of 141 percent. Although his family earns too much to qualify for Medicaid, John’s two children will qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Their information is electronically forwarded to CHIP, and they are enrolled in CHIP coverage.
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John and his wife qualify for private insurance plans and are given a list of approved insurance plans from which to select. While it is still unknown which insurance companies will be approved to participate in the marketplace, it is fairly safe to assume applicants will be able to select between plans like Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Health Plan and Carelink. John and his wife will also be able to select a plan with high premiums but lower deductibles and copays or a plan that has lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket expenses. Because John Smith’s family income is just above Medicaid income eligibility, they will receive significant subsidies to make their monthly premiums more affordable. Without subsidies, the premium would be just over $1,000 a month. With the subsidies, the monthly premium drops to $95 a month. Earning just 141 percent of the federal poverty level also qualifies the Smiths for assistance with deductibles and copayments. Rather than paying up to 30 percent of all legitimate claims through deductibles and copayments, the Smiths’ cost will only be 6 percent of the claims. There will also be out-of-pocket
protection included in all plans sold in the marketplace so that if John or his wife has a major illness, they will not face bankruptcy from medical bills. With one application, John’s two children get coverage from a public source, and he and his wife gain coverage from a private insurance company. They will know how much their premiums will be and can check to see if their doctors are in the insurance company’s network. They will also know if the drugs they take are in their formulary. The new marketplace has great potential. It will allow individuals to easily determine if they qualify for Medicaid or subsidized private insurance policies and, if they qualify, easily select a policy that best fits their family’s needs. The marketplace also provides small businesses with the same purchasing power that large businesses currently enjoy. It is important to note that the marketplace is an option for individuals and small businesses, not an obligation. The only people required to use the marketplace are members of Congress and their staff. This requirement gives us hope that any problems the marketplace may encounter—and there are sure to be glitches—will be promptly fixed.
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In the Chef’ s Corner Figaretti’s Photography by Tracy Toler
By Dino Figaretti
Food and family went hand in
hand growing up as a Figaretti. My grandparents, Giuseppe and Anna, came to the U.S. from Sicily and lived in Clarksburg where my grandfather was a coal miner. In 1944, my grandmother started making spaghetti sauce for her neighbors. People in Elm Grove liked the sauce so much, they started buying it. She worked out of a little garage next to her home. The sauce became so popular that each of her five sons—Chi Chi, Jack, Mike, Tony and Joe—began helping her with the production and delivery to local grocery stores. The popularity of the sauce led to the idea of a restaurant, which opened in 1949 in Wheeling, WV.
My brother, Tony, is part of the family business as well. He has continued the family tradition of manufacturing the family sauce. Figaretti’s sauce is more popular today than it was in the 1940s. Jars of our sauce have found their way onto the shelves of produce, gourmet and specialty shops in West Virginia and Ohio. And, just like the early days, he still sells my grandmother’s sauce to all of the local grocery stores. Recently, Figaretti’s sauce was picked up by Kroger nationwide. Figaretti’s is located at 1035 Mt. DeChantal Road in Wheeling, WV, and is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m.
And, just like the early days, he still sells my grandmother’s sauce to all of the local grocery stores.
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Caprese Salad 2 - 8 oz. balls of fresh mozzarella 1 pint cherry tomatoes Fresh basil 2 oz. olive oil Slice and place the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese on a flat plate, drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh basil. Serve chilled.
Godfather II 16 oz. fettuccine pasta ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 3 fresh garlic cloves, whole 4 jumbo gulf shrimp 1 tbsp finely grated lemon peel ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped ¼ cup dry white wine Salt, pepper and red pepper flakes
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In a large pot, bring six quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about six to eight minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving two tablespoons of the pasta water. The reserved pasta water will help create the sauce. Do not rinse pasta with water in order to retain the pasta’s natural starches so the sauce will stick. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp, garlic and
white wine and sauté until light brown and fragrant. It’s important not to burn the garlic or it will become bitter. Remove and discard the browned garlic. Add the red pepper flakes and sauté the mixture for one minute. Carefully add the reserved pasta water and stir to combine. Place the fettuccine and shrimp into the pan and mix well for one minute. Remove the pan from the heat and top with fresh herbs.
Veal Parmesan 6 veal leg cutlets, pounded to one-half-inch thickness 2 large eggs lightly beaten with two tablespoons of water in a large dish ½ cup parmesan cheese 2½ cups breadcrumbs combined with ¼ cup of parmesan cheese on a flat plate 4 tbsp olive oil 4 cups Figaretti’s marinara sauce 12 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese ¼ cup chopped parsley for garnish Salt and pepper to taste Preheat the oven to 400°. Season the veal with salt and pepper on both sides. Dip the veal cutlets in the egg mixture and dredge in the crumbs, pressing lightly until coated. Heat four tablespoons of oil in a large, nonstick skillet until hot, and cook the veal two to three minutes on each side or until golden brown. Transfer the veal to a baking dish in a single layer and top each cutlet with some Figaretti’s tomato sauce and a few sprinkles of the fresh mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the veal is cooked through and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and garnish with parsley.
Lincoln’ s Bodyguard Ward Hill Lamon Lamon is a little-known historical figure who was with Lincoln every day throughout his presidency. Lincoln called Lamon his “particular friend” from their long association that predated the Civil War and his presidency.
By Bob O’Connor
The latest in a trend of Abraham
Lincoln movies, “Saving Lincoln” opened in theaters nationwide on February 12, 2013, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. “Saving Lincoln” is not to be confused with Steven Spielberg’s movie “Lincoln,” which premiered in late November 2012. “Saving Lincoln,” directed by Chilean filmmaker Salvador Litvak and written by his wife, Nina Davidovich Litvak, is the story of Abraham Lincoln as seen through the eyes of his personal bodyguard, Ward Hill Lamon. Of interest to West Virginians, Lamon was born in Summit Point in Jefferson County, lived in Bunker Hill and Martinsburg and is buried in Gerrardstown, formerly towns in Virginia (pre-1863) and now all in Berkeley County, WV. Lamon is a little-known historical figure who was with Lincoln every day throughout his presidency. Lincoln called Lamon his “particular friend” from their long association that pre-dated the Civil War and his presidency. Lamon was an attorney on the 8th Judicial Circuit of Illinois and an associate of Lincoln. Although different in almost every way, the two men formed a bond that lasted until Lincoln’s death in April 1865. The two were law partners in Illinois from 18521856, and Lamon worked behind the scenes on the committee to help Lincoln win the nomination for president at the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1860. When it came time for the inauguration, Lincoln took three men with him to Washington: his two secretaries, John Hay and John Nickolay, and Ward Hill Lamon. Lamon’s official duties were as U.S. Federal Marshal for the District of Columbia; his unofficial duties were to be Lincoln’s personal bodyguard. He reported directly to the president.
His unofficial duties suited Lamon well. He was 6 feet 4 inches and weighed close to 260 pounds. He drank, swore and beat people up regularly. He also had on his person at all times armaments that weighed about 60 pounds and included two Colt .44 pistols, two Bowie Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln’s bodyguard.
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knives, a set of brass knuckles, a black jack and an eight-inch sword in the handle of his cane. Lamon was credited with killing a man with his fist as part of his official duties when the man resisted arrest. Lamon’s protection was needed prior to Lincoln’s arrival in Washington for the March 4, 1861 inauguration. Detective Allan Pinkerton had warned the presidentelect that an assassination attempt would be made during his travels by train through Baltimore en route to Washington. Lamon took charge and secreted Lincoln out of Harrisburg, PA, and through Baltimore, MD, in the middle of the night to avoid the secessionist plotters in the city. When the Lincoln inaugural train entered Baltimore the following day at the time published in the newspapers, Lincoln was not on board. He was already safely in Washington. It was Lamon who provided security at the dedication of the National Cemetery in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, and introduced the president before what we now know as the famous Gettysburg Address. The only known photograph at that event shows Lamon standing beside Lincoln. So where was Lamon when the president needed him the most at Ford’s Theater on
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the night of “Our American Cousins” on April 14? The president had sent Lamon on an errand to Richmond on April 11. Lamon protested, telling the president he should stay in Washington because even though the war had ended on Sunday of that same week, there was still danger lurking in Washington. With even greater insistence, Lincoln ordered Lamon to proceed to reconstruction meetings in Virginia. On his way out the door, Lamon urged Lincoln to stay at the White House while his bodyguard was gone. The president ignored his advice. You know the rest of the story. Where was the secret service during all of this? The secret service’s charge in the 1860s was to track down counterfeiters. In fact, they were not assigned the duty of guarding the president until Teddy Roosevelt. Furthermore, why does the world not know about Ward Hill Lamon? Lamon was known as a braggart, and historians have not been kind to him. They tend to discount what he said even though he had closer access to Lincoln as president than anyone else. A book Lamon was credited with writing called “The Life of Abraham Lincoln: From His Birth To His Inauguration was highly
criticized by Robert Lincoln, the president’s son. Robert was self-appointed to be in charge of his father’s legacy and insisted that all publications about his father be scrutinized and edited by him prior to publication. Lamon refused to allow him to see the manuscript, so Robert retaliated by purchasing and burning most copies of the book. One of the few remaining copies of that book is part of the Lamon Collection at the Berkeley County Historical Society in Martinsburg, WV. Following Lincoln’s death, Lamon had the dubious challenge of being marshalin-charge of the Lincoln funeral in Washington and the Lincoln funeral train back to Illinois. Lamon eventually returned to practice law in both Martinsburg and Gerrardstown. His Martinsburg law office was located on the northeast corner of Burke and Queen streets. Lamon was one of four candidates considered for nomination as governor of West Virginia in July 1876, but bowed out and threw his support to General Nathan Goff, who won the nomination. Lamon ran unsuccessfully for Congress that same year, losing to B. F. Martin by a vote of 1,840 to 1,618. Ward Hill Lamon died at his brother Robert’s home in Martinsburg on May 7, 1893, at the age of 65 and is buried in the Gerrardstown Presbyterian Cemetery. His daughter, Dolly Lamon Teillard, wrote a book in 1895 that she credited her father with writing called “Recollections of Abraham Lincoln, 1847-1865,” which was based on her father’s papers. She sold about 2,500 of her father’s papers, including an unpublished manuscript he wrote entitled “The Life of Abraham Lincoln As President,” which was sold in 1912 for $20,000. The collection is now owned by The Huntington Library in San Marino, CA.
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Without Borders Serving in Fiji Walking throughout Nakavika, the sounds of children laughing, men crushing kava root and the music from small solarpowered radios filled the air.
By Erika Allen
As we stepped off the plane, we were
instantly greeted by the heat and humidity of the Fijian January, which is completely different than the snowy January we left a half a world away in Morgantown, WV. I joined six other members of the West Virginia University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders and three advisors on a journey to this small Pacific island to accomplish one goal: enable villagers of Nakavika to have clean water. Nakavika is a small village an hour from the southern coastal city of Pacific Harbor in the Namosi highlands. To get to the village, we traveled on a winding dirt road that occasionally was only wide enough for one vehicle. Luckily, the employees from Rivers Fiji, our partner and tour guide for this project, were also natives of Nakavika so they knew the road like the backs of their hands. Taking in the scenery, I was awestruck as I realized I had never seen such a large amount of land virtually untouched by humans. I was reminded of the
images of the island from the movie “King Kong.” Everywhere I looked, there were steep mountains with jagged rock faces and waterfalls that plunged to the winding river below. Lush trees covered in vines and brightly colored flowers decorated the landscape. Because of the long distance to town and the expense of transportation, many of the villages we encountered on our journey into the mountains were farming communities that raised their own animals. As we got closer to a village, there were pigs, cattle and horses grazing on the side of the path. Before we reached one of the first villages, Andres, our tour guide, informed us not to be alarmed if we saw someone waving a knife at the bus, explaining that it was just a way of saying “hello.” At first, I had no clue to what he was referring until I happened to glance on the other side ExEdge of the bus. Sure enough, there were Fiji has two men walking toward the village. three official Each had a basket of vegetables on his languages. While back and a huge machete in his hand. English is the Walking throughout Nakavika, main medium of communication the sounds of children laughing, men in Fiji, they also crushing kava root and the music from speak Bau Fijian small solar-powered radios filled the air. and Hindustani. Children excitedly followed each of us Source: to see what we were going to work on http://www. next, and each villager we passed would mapsofworld. warmly call out “Bula!”—the Fijian hello. com/fiji/culture/ language.html During our week-long visit, our team worked with members of the village daily on tasks needed to build and place seven slow sand filters throughout the village. These tasks included constructing concrete platforms to elevate the filters and storage bins and cleaning large amounts of gravel, coarse sand and fine sand used for filtration. The slow sand filters are needed because the water in the Namosi highlands is contaminated with fecal coliform, which often transmits typhoid and other waterborne illnesses.
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These filters are effective and inexpensive to construct, and they utilize many materials that are readily available to the villagers. The filters work by running water through three different layers of materials— gravel, coarse sand and fine sand—that remove many of the large particles present and, over time, form a biological layer within the filter to eliminate the bacteria. Because of the many hours it took to properly clean the sand and gravel, we became friends with the villagers who routinely came out to help. The younger children were curious about our hometowns and animals, whether or not we knew various pop songs or if we personally knew President Barack Obama or Justin Beiber. Adults would ask about how the filter worked, various aspects of our daily lives and what we were studying in school. Everyone would talk about sports, especially the village favorite: rugby. While they learned from us, we also learned from them. They taught us how to say various common words in the Fijian dialect, such as hello, thank you, dog, cat, clean, dirty and numbers one through 10. In the late afternoons, we traveled to a swimming hole where we gingerly climbed up the hillsides and rocks while the kids swiftly, fearlessly and effortlessly made their way ahead of us. We hiked to a breathtaking waterfall and played with the children in the school yard, rain or shine. If it was raining, they jumped, wrestled, splashed and slipped and slid in the puddles that formed in the field. The children quickly mastered how to use the Frisbees and yo-yos we brought with us, and a game of rugby was always being played. At one point, some of my teammates even joined
in on a game with the men of the village. During the night, the adults socialized by gathering to play cards and drink kava. Kava is created from the kava root, which is sundried, crushed into fine powder and soaked in water. When consumed, it has numbing and sedative properties. The men gathered in one section of the room, and the women congregated on the other side. There was talking and laughter, and the celebration would last late into the night until the final kava bowl was emptied. One of my favorite parts about the night was staring at the stars shining brightly in the sky. We were able to pick out a few of the constellations, like the Southern Cross, and we even saw multiple shooting stars.
On our last night in the village, we were presented with a huge feast prepared by the women to thank us for our work. The feast included freshwater shrimp, breadfruit, chicken, multiple rice dishes and fruit. Each person wore a sulu, a piece of fabric that is wrapped around the waist and tied off in a skirt fashion, and the children presented us with necklaces made of flowers. Once the chief and the school teacher had spoken and we had thanked the village for their hospitality, the kava bowl was passed, the cards were brought out and we enjoyed each other’s company one last time. Photography by Erika Allen
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Green Living By Samantha Ricketts
Although the Mountain State is primarily known for the
use of coal and natural gas to heat and light houses, some West Virginians are taking a different route by using solar, geothermal and other green energy technologies to run their homes. The homes of Chip and Jan Pickering in Williamstown and Jason and Halcyon Moses in Huntington are two in particular that stand out. The Pickering home is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum-certified home in the state, and the Moses home is a zero net energy home.
The Moses Home Halcyon Moses always strives to be as environmentally conscious as possible, but she never imagined it would be the driving factor in the building of her family’s new home. While house hunting, she and her husband Jason searched for a home convenient to both his workplace and their children’s schools. Instead of a house,
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though, they came across a property for sale and fell in love. Halcyon created the floor plan, and Ed Weber, then of Silling Associates and current owner of Ed Weber Architects in Charleston, developed the plans for construction to meet the family’s needs and make the house sustainable. Silling Associates, with the help of
Jarrett Construction and David Pray, began constructing the home in 2009, and the family moved in a year later. “My philosophy for years has been sustainability, but I had never done a house where the commitment level from the clients was such that I could do a whole house,” Weber says of the project. “This is a unique, fully-integrated home.”
The Moses family wanted to keep the trees and landforms on the property intact, so the house was specifically placed for the least impact. They used locally and sustainably harvested wood, as well as recycled and low-voltaic organic compound (VOC) or no-formaldehyde products. They also incorporated energy star appliances, LED lighting and low-flow water faucets, shower heads and dual flush toilets. They used quality windows, spray insulation and insulated concrete forms. For heating and cooling, a geothermal system was incorporated, and adequate ventilation ensures the cleanest air possible. The house also includes a 5,000-gallon rainwater cistern system that collects the water for the household. “All these elements together make a synergy, and the house becomes kind of a living organism,” Weber says. Halcyon says she sleeps better at night knowing the knobs on the doors and cabinets are made in the U.S. and are free of dangerous chemicals, that no fumes are leaking from the wood and drywall and that the water is cleaned in-house. The only worry the Moses family has in their new home is the possibility of running out of water occasionally. Because they rely completely on rainwater, they must control their water use when rain is scarce. “We’ve run out once or twice out of carelessness,” Halcyon says, “but a supplemental supply is easy to get and very inexpensive.”
The family now has no water bill and pays $240 per month for the heating and cooling of their 5,000-square-foot home. They are also in the process of planning a system of solar panels as another form of energy production. Even without solar panels, their home is now considered a zero net energy building. “Zero net energy homes have zero energy consumption and carbon emissions,” explains Weber. “You don’t have to bring the energy to it; it just uses what it has. Some homes even produce more energy than they use, so they have a completely positive effect.” Halcyon says sustainable living is worth the effort. “Most people think building sustainably is too expensive or that products would be impossible to find in this area, but while some aspects of building sustainably may be more expensive up-front, the long-term savings make up for it.” Because of its positive environmental impact and long-term financial benefits, sustainable housing is on the rise. “It’s been slow to reach the marketplace here, but in other parts of the country there’s an expectation that your house will be designed in a sustainable fashion,” Weber says. “The trend is here and it’s going to stay; it’s not a fad.” “What’s nice to see today is that we have more and more clients asking what it’s going to cost to operate the building
instead of how much to build it,” Mike Moore, director of business development for Silling Associates, says. “This shows us that sustainability is becoming a major priority in planning for residential and commercial properties.”
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The Pickering Home Chip Pickering, CEO of Pickering Associates, wanted to “walk the walk” after having worked on other LEED projects in the past. With the help of Traci Stotts, lead architect and vice president of marketing and development at Pickering, and Nick Arnold, architectural designer at the firm, Chip began designing his family’s future LEED house in early 2010. One main goal of the LEED program is to introduce these new techniques to people and workers in the area, so when it came time to build the house, several contractors and
suppliers were utilized. Mondo Construction of Marietta, Ohio; Waters Construction of Williamstown, WV; Steers Heating of Parkersburg, WV and Davis, Pickering & Co., Inc. of Marietta were all involved in the project. It was also a learning process for Pickering’s firm, which provided project management and construction managers. Chip says sustainability has always been in his blood. His first home used lots of insulation and little heat and air conditioning, and his second home was a recycled barn with geothermal heat, structural insulated panels (SIPs) and efficient windows and doors. “I’ve been focused on sustainable living practices for many years—I can’t tell you when that started, but I was probably green before being green was cool.” Chip and Jan had owned a piece of property for 10 years with the desire to build a home there, and when the idea for this project came up, they knew the design was perfect for the fairly compact space. The 3,000-square-foot home was made using locally and naturally processed and manufactured materials designed for durability, including tile floors and cabinets made from urea-formaldehydefree substrate, and all wood products were sustainably harvested and certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. The house maintains rainwater onsite and uses a geothermal heat pump, the waste heat from which also provides most of the hot water used. The family uses low-flow water faucets, shower heads and toilets, as well as Energy Star appliances and low energy-in quartz countertops. They also used low-VOC paints and finishes and bio-based polymer carpeting in consideration of the indoor air quality. For the overall efficiency of the building, they used SIPs in the exterior walls and floor and oriented strand board-based I-joists for flooring. They used glue-lam beams instead of large trees for timber, recycled roofing materials and natural pest-proofing. They
also incorporated dedicated recycling areas for the home, and 80 percent of the waste from construction was recycled. “In my opinion, the most interesting part of this home is the vegetated roof with drought-tolerant turf and a sitting area,” Stotts says. “This is a part of the LEED process that everyone can actually see and enjoy.” Passive solar arrangement and features were used, including a grid-tied solar photovoltaic power system that provides the home’s energy, as well as charges their electric car. On top of being Energy Star- and Indoor Air Quality Program-certified, the home is also LEED platinum-certified, the highest possible rating. Through the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification ensures the home’s location, water use, energy use, indoor air quality and building materials are at the highest sustainability standards. This type of living is not only environmentally-friendly, but also walletfriendly. All electrical energy is solar, so the family only pays $5.20 a month, the required minimum metering charge from the power company. Their water bills are about $30 per month. In addition, the home requires little maintenance, with only the vegetated roof needing minimal upkeep and the solar panels requiring annual cleaning. Chip definitely recommends sustainable living. “The cost is still a premium— probably an additional 25-40 percent over an average home, but over the lifetime of the home, you would return these additional costs in energy savings and maintenance. People need to think more in terms of a long-term investment that saves energy and all the negative environmental aspects of the energy generation, transmission and use.” Photography by Mike Adkins Photography, Rick Lee, Tracy Toler and JB Meadows Photography
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Regional Focus Compiled by Jennifer JEtt
Judy Sheppard
Sheppard First West Virginian to be Named Trailblazer Woman of the Year
Judy Sheppard, president and CEO of Professional Services of America, Inc., is the recipient of the Trailblazer Woman of the Year Award from the Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council. Sheppard is the first person in West Virginia to win this award, which she accepted at a luncheon during the 4th Annual Regional Conference’s “Catch the Wave of Success” event held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Charleston, WV. The Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council’s Trailblazer Award is the highest award given by the organization. The award is presented each year to a woman who has pioneered contributions that have been outstanding, unique and courageous and whose efforts have “blazed a trail” with advocacy and demonstration, lighting the way for other women-owned businesses. Sheppard’s efforts in mentoring women across the country have led to an impressive lineup of awards and leadership positions. She heads the West Virginia Instant Impact Team as part of Women Impacting Public Policy where she sits on the prestigious Federal Procurement Committee that provides interaction between government entities and small women-owned businesses to allow more women business owners the opportunity to bid on federal contracts. Most recently, she has been honored as one of the “50 Most Powerful Minority Women in Business,” and American Express OPEN named her the Teaming Contractor of the Year in 2010. In 2011 she was named by the Small Business Administration as the Small Business Person of the Year.
New River Community and Technical College Names New President Dr. L. Marshall Washington, vice president of the Lancaster Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve as the third president of New River Community and Technical College in West Virginia. Washington’s appointment was announced following approval by the
West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education at a special meeting in February. “It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Governors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Washington,” says Leslie Baker, chair of the Board of Governors. “The presidential search began last November. The college was fortunate to have a dedicated committee comprised of board members, faculty, student and staff representatives and community members. Everyone brought a different perspective, but all came to focus on the singular goal of selecting a president who could lead New River as we begin our pivotal second decade as an institution. In Dr. Washington we have found a person with great integrity, experience and vision.” Washington, who began his new duties on March 25, says he is very excited about coming to New River and representing the college throughout its service area. “I readily identify with the community and have a vision for how we can work together to advance higher education across the region,” he says. Washington is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and has extended family in the Beckley area. His wife of 20 years, Tonja, and their three children will join him in Beckley at the end of the school year. Washington previously served as vice president of student services at Kellogg Community College in Michigan. He earned a doctorate in educational studies with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education from
Dr. L. Marshall Washington
University of Nebraska-Lincoln; a master’s degree in education from Winona State University in Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. The new president’s first order of business has been to meet with constituents throughout the nine counties served by New River to find out as much as possible about how the college can best serve its stakeholders. New River Community and Technical College serves Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers and Webster counties from locations in Beckley, Lewisburg, Ghent, Princeton and Summersville. Administrative offices are located in Beckley.
Three West Virginia Employers Named Semifinalists for Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) operational committee, has announced that three West Virginia employers have been selected as semifinalists for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The Freedom Award is the DoD’s highest honor for employers that provide extraordinary support to their National Guard and Reserve employees. This year, 138 semifinalists stood out among 2,899 employers nominated by a Guard or Reserve employee. The West Virginia employers named semifinalists are Action Facilities Management, Morgantown; Charleston Police Department, Charleston and Pfizer, Animal Pharmaceutical Division, Willow Island. More than 1 million Americans serve in the National Guard and Reserve, playing a critical role in both combat and humanitarian missions. The Freedom Award provides these service members with an opportunity to recognize civilian employers who go above and beyond in supporting their service. Employers selected as semifinalists assist Guard and Reserve employees through formal and informal initiatives, including setting veteran hiring goals, establishing military employee liaisons, providing childcare for deployed employees, arranging care package drives and granting additional leave for military employees and family members before and after deployments.
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“Freedom Award semifinalists stand out for their extraordinary support and steadfast commitment to our nation’s Citizen Warriors,” says ESGR Executive Director Ronald Young. “National Guard and Reserve members show tremendous resolve overseas and during times of domestic crises. Our nation owes a special debt of gratitude to employers enabling these brave men and women to serve.” ESGR will announce the 2013 Freedom Award finalists in May after a review board comprised of military and civilian leaders selects the 30 most supportive employers. Up to 15 award recipients will be announced early this summer and honored in Washington, D.C., in September at the 18th Annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony.
the chairman of Anheuser-Busch Operations, founder of Eagle Distributing Company and chairman of the board for Triple Crown Beverage. Wendell, a certified public accountant, is the CEO of hotel entities that have developed 20 properties in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. The Business Hall of Fame honors those in the business community who have outstanding records of long-standing achievement in their career fields. It is the most distinguished honor granted by the College of Business. The Hall of Fame now has 90 members dating back to the first inductions in 1994.
Marshall Business Hall of Fame to Add Five Members
Celebrating its 75th year in business in 2013, family-owned and operated Vecellio & Grogan (V&G), a major heavy/ highway/site development contractor operating in the eastern U.S., is now in Michael its fourth generation of leadership with Vecellio Michael Vecellio recently named president. The move was made following the retirement of Bill Medcalf. Based in Beckley, WV, Vecellio & Grogan is the flagship company of the Vecellio Group, a Top 400 contractor and Top 30 in highway and site work, as ranked by Engineering News-Record. Vecellio joined the group as a vice president in 2002 after earning a business management degree from Virginia Tech. He oversees the group’s heavy/highway operations, facilities and equipment at Vecellio & Grogan as well as sister company Ranger
Five highly successful business leaders were inducted into Marshall University’s Business Hall of Fame in April. The induction reception and ceremony took place in the Marshall University Foundation Hall. This year’s inductees were David Graley; C. Frederick Shewey; Louis Southworth, II; William Guy Spriggs and Charles Wendell. Graley, the vice president and chief operating officer of the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation, is a long-time banker and former chair of the Huntington Area Development Council. Shewey, who passed away in January 2012, was the founder of International Industries, Inc. and president and owner of Grey Eagle Construction Company, Inc. Southworth, a tax attorney for Jackson Kelly PLLC, was named West Virginia Best Lawyers Corporate Lawyer of the Year for 2009. Spriggs is
Family-Owned Vecellio & Grogan Celebrates 75th Year
Clinton W. Smith Collections Since 1983
Law Offices Of Clinton W. Smith Mezzanine Suite 4 405 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301 E-mail: CWSmithLawyer@aol.com Telephone: (304) 343-4498 Fax: (304) 343-5807 Toll-free Central/Southern WV 1-800-335-4498
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Construction, located in Florida. Additionally, he supervises corporate operations such as human resources and safety. In the seven and a half decades since its beginning, Vecellio & Grogan has become known for completing even difficult projects on schedule and within budget, with a particular specialty in site development work for coal and natural gas companies. In addition to a wide range of heavy/highway/site contracting, the group’s operations have grown to include limestone mining, petroleum products and services and biofuels research and technology.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin
Marion County CVB Names New Executive Director The Board of Directors of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Marion County has named Leisha Elliott as executive director of the CVB. Elliott has been serving as interim executive director since January 2013. She replaces Marianne Moran, who retired from the CVB in December 2012 after almost 20 years of service. “I appreciate the confidence the Board of Directors has in me to name me to this position, and I am very excited to continue our efforts to promote Marion County,” says Elliott. “Moreover, this is an exciting time for the CVB as we prepare to launch our new Web site and redesign our visitor guide by utilizing the theme of ‘Discover, Create, Share.’ We are also expanding our social media presence, which creates many opportunities to reach new audiences. Most of all, I look forward to working with the board and our tourism partners.” A native of Marion County, Elliott received her bachelor’s degree in business science from Fairmont State College. She has worked as a consultant for Main Street West Virginia and as a program manager for Mannington Main Street, and she serves on the Community Resource Committee of the United Way of Marion County. “The Board of Directors members feel Leisha is uniquely qualified to serve as executive director because of her background and training, as well as her service to the CVB and strong connections to Marion County,” says Amy Pellegrin, president of the CVB Board of Directors. “We look forward to working with Leisha to continue to promote the many tourism attractions in our own backyard.”
Governor Tomblin Announces Plans for State’s 150th Birthday Celebration Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has announced plans to celebrate West Virginia’s 150th birthday. The celebration, organized by the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission, will take place at the State Capitol Complex beginning on the state’s official birthday, Thursday, June 20, and concluding Sunday, June 23. “West Virginians still talk about the centennial celebration that took place on the Capitol steps in 1963. It was a day that made all of us proud to be West Virginians,” says Gov. Tomblin. “This June, our state will turn 150, and I know West Virginians from every corner of the Mountain State will be filled with pride as we celebrate our big day. The events at the State Capitol will be something they won’t want to miss.” The birthday celebration will kick off with a statewide bell ringing on Thursday, June 20 at 1:50 p.m. That evening, an outdoor symphony concert will be held on the Capitol lawn. Following the concert, West Virginia history will be brought to life in a special three-dimensional film that will be projected
directly onto the State Capitol building. The video will conclude with a Zambelli fireworks show launched from the roof of the Capitol. The celebration will continue throughout the weekend and include a parade, a day-long festival complete with familyfriendly events, outdoor concerts, a vintage car show, the Smoke on the Water Chili Cook-Off, elements of the Vandalia Gathering, history lectures, Civil War re-enactors, sternwheeler rides, West Virginia food and craft vendors and a giant birthday cake for all to enjoy. To view the full schedule of events, visit www.wv150.com.
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Researchers Receive Second Patent for Railroad Track Inspection System Two Marshall University profesDr. Richard Begley and sors have received a Dr. Tony Szwilski second patent for an invention they say will make inspection of railroad tracks safer, more accurate and less expensive than current methods. Engineering professors Dr. Richard Begley and Dr. Tony Szwilski were recently notified that their Canadian patent application has been approved. It is the first Canadian patent awarded for an invention developed at Marshall. The professors were awarded a U.S. patent last year. Their system, which uses a combination of GPS devices, cameras and ground-penetrating radar to measure track wear and other problems, has taken more than 10 years to develop. Currently, they say, track inspectors have to rely largely on a limited number of multi-million-dollar inspection machines that are only available to inspect the tracks a few times a year. These inspections are used in combination with bi-weekly visual observations, which, in some cases, must be obtained on foot. “Track inspection the way it’s done today is a highly specialized skill,” says Begley. “It is labor intensive and very physically demanding. It can also be quite dangerous.” The researchers say the invention is intended to complement the visual inspections and should help inspectors identify problems faster. Although the components are readily available, the inventors are quick to point out that the GPS system in their device is a specialized type, not the typical navigation system found on mobile phones or in passenger vehicles. Their device uses basic off-the-shelf components wired together and mounted on a mobile platform that fits snugly on the rail. The platform is attached to a sports utility vehicle or rail bike adapted to run on the tracks. Begley and Szwilski used federal and state funding to produce a prototype of the device, which they used for field testing in cooperation with the railroad industry. Although the system was designed specifically to monitor railroad tracks from the vehicle to which it is attached, the inventors say there may also be applications for the technology to be mounted directly onto railcars and other platforms. Szwilski and Begley are now working with Marshall’s Technology Transfer Office to identify companies that might be interested in commercializing the technology. “We have been very grateful for the guidance and technical support Marshall has provided us,” says Szwilski. “That was a vital element in our being able to successfully patent our device.” “The real beauty of this system lies in its ability to detect track deficiencies and direct the maintenance crews to the best use of their time and limited budgets,” says Dr. Wael Zatar, dean of the College of Information Technology and Engineering. “This work by Dr. Begley and Dr. Szwilski speaks well for the kind of faculty talent and expertise we possess here in our college and at Marshall overall.”
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Dr. Cynthia Gissy
Gissy Named Regional Ambassador for National Teacher Education Association
The National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP) has selected Dr. Cynthia Gissy of West Virginia University (WVU) at Parkersburg to be its new ambassador for the Mid-Atlantic region. Gissy, who has been with WVU Parkersburg since 1998, is chair of the education and humanities division. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a doctorate of education from West Virginia University. The NACCTEP board implemented the ambassador program with the goal to provide guidance and assistance to all members who may not have immediate access to a board member. The program objectives are to develop leaders on a national level with a significant role coordinating regional representation; to increase communication with selected states in an assigned region; to unite and communicate with selected member states to encourage participation in NACCTEP at the national and local levels; to provide a communication link between board members and member states; to recruit and retain members in an assigned region; to mentor future executive board candidates and to support NACCTEP during the annual national conference.
Comfort Inn® of Charleston Undergoes Million-Dollar Renovation Choice Hotels International’s Flagship Brand property has undergone major renovations to transform into a unique property unlike any other Comfort Inn® around. Renovations at the Comfort Inn® of Charleston include a new hotel lobby with an inviting fireplace, a remodeled lounge, a new business center and new furnishings, paint and flooring throughout the common areas and guest rooms. The most unique feature in the upgraded Comfort Inn® is the tropical indoor pool with waterfall, hot tub and oasis décor to make guests feel like they are laying poolside in the Bahamas. The renovations expand on the already existing full-service amenities that include a fitness center, daily fresh-baked cookies, 100 percent nonsmoking rooms, free breakfast, free high-speed WIFI and the convenience of The Lazy Dog Saloon, the on-site restaurant and lounge. The Comfort Inn® of Charleston is conveniently located in Cross Lanes, just off Interstate 64 and less than one mile from the Mardi Gras Casino, as well as 15 minutes from downtown Charleston and Yeager Airport. For more information, visit the Comfort Inn® of Charleston’s Web site at www.WV-Hotel.com.
West Virginia Company Joins Leading Home Energy Savings Experts Dodrill Heating & Cooling is proud to announce its inclusion in the Dr. Energy Saver network, the nation’s leading network of
home performance experts committed to helping customers reduce energy bills and improve their homes’ energy efficiency. Dennis Dodrill, owner of Dodrill Heating & Cooling, joins the Dr. Energy Saver network with more than 30 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry. Dodrill and his team not only fix home energy problems like leaky ductwork and poor insulation, but they can also help homeowners understand exactly how their homes are wasting energy and where improvements can be made. Dodrill Heating & Cooling recognizes that each house is made up of several interdependent systems and uses the wholehouse systems approach to determine a home’s overall energy effectiveness. The company conducts home energy audits to provide complete energy profiles and determine exactly where and how energy is being consumed and disposed. This improves a home’s energy usage and provides homeowners with a cost savings plan, as well as a healthier, more comfortable home. Dodrill Heating & Cooling now provides home energy audits, along with insulation services for the home, attic, basement, crawl space and garage. While they specialize in heating and cooling services like furnace replacement and ductwork sealing, they also install radiant barriers and weatherization solutions. Members of the Dr. Energy Saver network have access to patented-proven products and innovative solutions that have been successfully implemented in thousands of homes and businesses across the country.
OnSite Digital Radiology Services Opens in Putnam County The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Richard Pulcrano of OnSite Digital Radiology Services to Putnam County. OnSite will be the first company in West Virginia
to provide mobile digital radiography imaging services on a 24/7 basis throughout the state. OnSite Digital Radiology Services, whose corporate office is located in the Prestige Professional Park in Hurricane, will provide services to nursing homes, assisted living communities, hospice, home care and correctional facilities statewide. The state will become only the second in the United States to have statewide mobile digital X-ray services. OnSite Digital Radiology Services uses state-of-the-art direct digital X-ray machines from Viztek. Once the exams are acquired, they are reviewed bedside and immediately sent wirelessly to West Virginia board-certified radiologists at Radiology Inc. for review. All images and reports are also available on the OnSite Digital Radiology Services Web site for viewing by the attending physician or client.
Governor Tomblin Announces Partnership for Education Reform Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and former Governor Bob Wise, together with the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools, has announced a partnership between the Alliance for Excellent Education and the State of West Virginia to begin a statewide review of classroom technology use and digital learning capabilities. The goal is to move West Virginia’s education system toward a personalized, student-centered approach through the use of technology. “With today’s technological advances, we have the ability to personalize learning and better meet the needs of each individual student,” says Gov. Tomblin. “I believe Project 24 will help us integrate technology and digital learning into our classrooms by providing innovative ways for our children to learn, in turn helping prepare them for a successful future.”
Project 24, an Alliance for Excellent Education program, helps school systems plan for effective use of technology to help students reach career and college readiness. Improving career and college readiness is one of Gov. Tomblin’s education reform goals. Digital learning is any instructional practice that is successfully using technology to strengthen the student learning experience. “Governor Tomblin and the legislature have just enacted strong education legislation,” says Wise, the president of the alliance. “Developing a comprehensive plan for how technology can support teachers and students is an important first step in reaching the important goals West Virginia has adopted. While hundreds of school districts across the nation are involved with Project 24, Governor Tomblin leads the nation in making this a statewide effort.” Project 24 will complete a statewide review of classroom technology and digital learning infrastructure in West Virginia. The review will include an assessment of current abilities, a plan of action and a proposed implementation of that plan so the state can embrace digital and personalized learning for West Virginia’s students.
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Ribbon cutting marking the opening of OnSite Digital Radiology Services in Hurricane, WV.
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Law Offices of Clinton W. Smith
132
ME Consulting Engineers, Inc.
133
Mon Valley Integration LLC
107
Mountain State Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center
113
NARCO
94
Pacific Links
15 68
Chancellor Insurance
96
Regional Economic Development Partnership
Chapman Technical Group
54
Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center
100
Smoker Friendly
122
Charleston Conference Center Chesapeake Energy Comfort Inn of Charleston
101 13 112
Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC Summersville CVB
Back Cover 106
Contemporary Galleries
37
Suttle & Stalnaker PLLC
45
Decota Consulting Company, Inc.
56
Tamarack Foundation
64
The Housing Development Corporation
46
Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP
9
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad
135
The Williams Company
51
East End Family Resource Center
105
Thomas Health System
2-3
Eastern Arrow Corporation, Inc.
69
United Bank
Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.
64
Vecellio & Grogan, Inc.
66
Enviroprobe Integrated Solutions, Inc.
98
Waterfront Place Hotel
55
Ferguson Lighting
11
Wells Fargo Insurance Services
58
Fifth Third Bank
42
Wells Home Furnishings
Girls’ Night Out
103
West Virginia American Water
Goodwin & Goodwin, Attorneys at Law
71
West Virginia State University
Inside Back Cover
Greater Bridgeport CVB
79
West Virginia University
Inside Front Cover
Hannah Engineering
52
WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
7
Hawkeye Research Inc.
96
WV Economic Development Authority
60
HealthNet Aeromedical Services
78
WVHTC Foundation
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
97
WVU Communications
10
HSC Building Automation & Controls
61
ZMM Architects & Engineers
81
HSC Industrial
92
138
west virginia executive
1
4-5 57
121
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