Although the future of coal may be uncertain within the federal political arena, it appears to have more of a solid backing among leaders in state government. That was evident during a recent Kentucky Coal Academy exhibition in Frankfort in which several of the commonwealth’s legislators not only expressed their support for the mine training program, but for the coal industry in general.

Now in its fifth year, the Kentucky Coal Academy is a state-funded mine training program operated through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System with the primary goal of rebuilding the state’s aging mine industry workforce. Rep. Rocky Adkins, who represents the 99th legislative district and also serves as the House Majority Floor Leader, said one of his greatest accomplishments during his 24 years as a state representative was being a part of the collaborative effort that created the Kentucky Coal Academy.

“Coal mining is the lifeblood for so many people in eastern and western Kentucky, and its future depends on this up and coming workforce,” Adkins said. “Research and development are bringing about new technologies that will help Kentucky burn coal cleaner and become energy independent. Graduates of the Kentucky Coal Academy are better prepared for a career in coal mining that will reward them throughout their lifetime.”

State Rep. Fitz Steele (84 – Hazard), who has been an outspoken defender of coal, was another legislator who visited with staff and faculty of the Kentucky Coal Academy in Frankfort. While he touted the educational benefits of the mine training program, he also warned that both the state’s industry leaders along with the private sector should be concerned about legislation that could be enacted on a federal level that would adversely affect coal.

“People need to be real concerned,” Steele said adamantly. “It’s good to applaud the strides groups like the Kentucky Coal Academy are making for our coal industry, but we need to be ever mindful of what’s unfolding on a national level. The federal government is doing anything and everything they can do to negatively impact this industry. The Obama Administration is hurting us. On a federal level, it looks scary. But on a state level, were right on task. We’re doing all we can do to keep this industry alive.”

While the Kentucky Coal Academy’s main focus has been on training and education, the program has made other positive impacts on the industry, which state legislators claim help secure the future of coal. Dr. Bill Higginbotham, Executive Director of the Kentucky Coal Academy, said his group has been beneficial not only for the coal industry’s workforce, but in terms of providing state-of-the-art training technology, improved safety measures as well as improving the overall image of the industry with increased community and environmental involvement.

“It was made clear that our legislators are concerned about the coal industry,” Higginbotham said. “But I feel pleased that they were encouraged with the job that the Kentucky Coal Academy is doing all over the state. We’re helping to prove that coal not only plays a big part in our current economy, but is also a big part of our future as a state and as a nation.”

Staff and faculty had the opportunity to visit with state legislators at an all-day capitol expo, which featured educational and community enrichment groups from throughout the Commonwealth. Legislators were given plenty of reading material about the strides the Kentucky Coal Academy has made during its first five-year stint, and were also able to view an exhibit set up by KCA representatives that displayed the program’s technology and safety advancements.

“It’s an impressive program,” said state Rep. Leslie Combs (94 – Pike), who represents the state’s largest coal producing county. “If we’re proving to the nation that we need coal, we also need to prove to them that we’ve got an efficient workforce that can handle the production in a safe, environmentally-friendly manner. That’s what pleases me about the Kentucky Coal Academy is that it’s just not about training and education with these guys, even though that’s a critical component. With them, it’s also about working to improve the safety conditions for our miners, and thinking outside of the box in terms of being more environmentally responsible.”

State Rep. Rick Nelson ( 87 – Bell) said he had noticed an increased interest in the state’s younger generation wanting to make a living for themselves and their families through the coal industry. While the interest grew, however, he admitted being concerned about the availability of quality mine training programs.

“We missed a generation of coal miners,” said Nelson. “We saw the interest in the industry decline in the mid 1970s on into the early 1990s. “Now, our sons, grandsons, brothers, and even our daughters, granddaughters and sisters are heading into the mines. We’re actually in the midst of a new generation of coal miners and a sharp learning curve has been created in terms of technology on the work site. Through its top-notch education, the Kentucky Coal Academy is doing a fine job providing the most modern training opportunities. There are a lot of people arguing about coal right now, but it’s a proven industry that’s here to stay, and we’ve got a new generation of highly trained and skilled miners who are helping to secure its rightful place in our nation’s future.”