Thomas L. Pruitt Attorney at Law, P.C.

02/08/2026

Week Ended January 31, 2026

08/26/2025

Thinking of and praying for all my hardworking friends and loved ones who are without work right now. All of us understand that this industry is cyclical but nonetheless, it still hurts when jobs go away. Hang strong!

As global coal consumption heads for a new record, one fact is clear: reliable service matters.

Coal continues to be the foundation of stable energy systems worldwide.

Link: https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/coal-resilience-2024-global-consumption-record/

05/23/2025

Fantastic news for our region!

ENERGY DEPARTMENT DESIGNATES COAL USED IN STEELMAKING AS A CRITICAL MATERIAL, STRENGTHENING U.S. ENERGY AND MANUFACTURING SECURITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the designation of coal used in the production of steel as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry.” This action affirms the Administration’s commitment to American energy dominance, manufacturing resurgence, and strengthening America’s energy and industrial security.

A Department of Energy analysis concluded that metallurgical coal, a key input for steel production, meets the statutory definition of a critical material. A robust steel industry is fundamental to U.S. manufacturing, infrastructure development, and economic resilience. Steel is essential to energy technologies, transportation, and defense systems, as the materials that enable steel production (including metallurgical coal and anthracite) are vital to American interests.

“Metallurgical coal is more than a fuel—it is a cornerstone of our industrial base,” said Secretary Wright. “By designating metallurgical coal as a critical material, we are ensuring that American steel, generated by American coal, remains the backbone of our manufacturing sector.”

Why Coal Qualifies as a Critical Material:

Metallurgical coal possesses unique properties necessary for producing coke, the fuel and reactant required for steel production using the blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace method.

Anthracite coal, concentrated in the Appalachian region, plays a key role in the electric arc furnace method, which accounts for approximately 70% of domestic steel production.

The U.S. coal industry, provides reliable, domestically sourced metallurgical and anthracite coal essential to supporting both steelmaking processes.

There are over 150 metallurgical coal mines in the United States that employ tens of thousands of Americans.

Shared infrastructure and workforce supporting both thermal and metallurgical coal production are under strain from declining investment and operational capacity. Without intervention, this erosion will jeopardize domestic steel dominance.

The designation underscores the multiple threats facing the U.S. steel sector, including foreign anti-competitive practices, unreliable supply chains, and underinvestment in critical upstream materials. In accordance with the President’s proclamation on adjusting steel imports, this determination supports strategic supply chain development and reindustrialization efforts.

The designation of coal for steelmaking as a critical material is inclusive of its supply chain vulnerability and its indispensable role in the energy sector. Steel is a foundational component of U.S. energy infrastructure, from our pipelines to transmission towers, linked to national energy security.

05/07/2025

Our region needs all the help it can get.

NMA Applauds House Natural Resources for Advancing Mining Priorities in Reconciliation Package. Read the full release here: https://nma.org/2025/05/07/nma-applauds-house-natural-resources-for-advancing-mining-priorities-in-reconciliation-package/

02/24/2025

Europe’s energy policy failures are on full display as natural gas prices surge and renewables falter in cold, windless weather. Billions spent on renewables, but when the grid needs power most, it’s coming up short. Read more about the crisis here: https://www.countoncoal.org/2025/02/choosing-energy-insecurity/

01/31/2025

When will the U.S. run out of coal? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration the U.S. consumed just 426 million tons of its 250 billion tons of coal reserves in 2023. At that rate, the U.S. would have about 586 years of coal left. Read the full report here: https://www.eia.gov/coal/annual/

12/06/2024

I salute all the hardworking coal miners that have kept the lights on. Happy National Miners Day ⚒️💪🏻💪🏽💪🏾

Happy National Miners Day! Today, we honor the hardworking men and women who work tirelessly to deliver the essential elements used to build and power our world. Thank you for keeping our lights on and our industries moving!

12/06/2024

Discover why coal remains the cornerstone of U.S. grid reliability this winter by ensuring on-demand power amidst surging electricity demand and rising grid challenges.

10/17/2024

$1.2 million grant will boost regional airport project in Grundy

grundy, va. - A $1.2 million Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant will allow for the development of infrastructure at the future Breaks Regional Airport in Buchanan County, officials said Thursday. The AMLER grant was awarded to the Breaks Regional...

10/01/2024

On Friday, September 13th, four regional transmission organizations (RTOs) filed an Amicus Brief to the D.C. Court of Appeals, contesting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations on carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal and new natural gas power plants. They requested th...