National Mining Association

National Mining Association (NMA)

Background

The National Mining Association (NMA) is a nation-wide 501(c)(6) non-profit trade organization representing mining and mineral companies in the United States. It was formed in 1995 through the merger of the National Coal Association (NCA), which had represented the mining industry since as early as 1917, and the American Mining Congress (AMC), which went back as far as 1897.1NMA Info,” National Mining Association. September 26, 2012. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KAqDt

NMA‘s membership includes coal, metals, industrial, and agricultural minerals companies, as well as “manufacturers of mining and mineral processing machinery, equipment and supplies; and the engineering and consulting firms, financial institutions and other firms serving the mining industry.”2“Comments of the National Mining Association on Regulating Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act Docket ID EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0318” (PDF), National Mining Association, November 28, 2008. Retrieved from Uschamber.com.

According to its website, NMA‘s objective is to “engage in and influence the public process on the most significant and timely issues that impact mining’s ability to safely and sustainably locate, permit, mine, transport and utilize the nation’s vast resources” (emphasis added).3Mission & Objectives,” National Mining Association. Archived September 25, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/rUlu3 It describes itself as “the only national trade organization that represents the interests of mining before Congress, the administration, federal agencies, the judiciary and the media—providing a clear voice for U.S. mining.”4About NMA,” National Mining Association. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fzxTV

NMA has had a long history of lobbying against greenhouse gas reduction measures including the Clean Power Plan (CPP),5National Mining Assn,” OpenSecrets.org. Data retrieved September 25, 2017. which it once described as “unlawful at the most fundamental level.”6“COMMENTS OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION” (PDF), National Mining Association. Retrieved from influencemap.org.

NMA Initiatives & PACs

PACs

NAM has run a variety of initiatives and Political Action Committees (PACs) over the years, often opposing environmental regulations, including CoalPAC, and MinePAC.7Coalpac, A Political Action Committee of the National Mining Association,Insidegov. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/3d19f 82016 PAC Summary Data for MinePAC PAC, OpenSecrets.org. Accessed September 26, 2017.

Count on Coal

NMA is behind the “Count on Coal” initiative, which it describes as “a grassroots advocacy program supported by NMA for the purpose of informing the public about the benefits of affordable electricity from coal.”9Count on Coal Launches New Information Resource on ‘Costly Power Plan’,” National Mining Association, April 12, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QBJef

Advocacy Campaign Team for Mining (ACT)

NMA formerly ran an Advocacy Campaign Team for Mining (ACT) which it said was “a national network of individuals from the mining community who recognize the importance of being involved in the political process and being informed about the public policy debates that are shaping the future of the mining industry in America.’ ACT operated a website, www.actformining.org, which now redirects to Count on Coal.10Welcome to ACT Online,” Actmining.org. Archived August 21, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VsqJj

Minerals Make Life

“Minerals Make Life” is another NMA initiative, designed to “share mining news and educate America’s policymakers, influencers and the public, and enable them to make informed decisions about U.S. mining.”11About Us,” Minerals Make Life. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/J9Kqg

U.S. Coal Exports

The U.S. Coal Export Coalition is a group “hosted by the National Mining Association.”12About,” U.S. Coal Exports. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/waPFJ The website points to a 2013 report prepared by Ernst & Young for the NMA on the “National and State Economic Contributions” of coal exports.13“U.S. Coal Exports: National and State Economic Contributions” (PDF), Ernst & Young, 2013.

Stance on Climate Change

August 2016

The NMA‘s “Crisis Communications Template” emphasizes “natural phenomenon” over the role of humans when describing the greenhouse effect, and does not discuss any dangers of warming. An excerpt reads:14“Media and Community Crisis Communication Planning Template” (PDF)NMA, August 2016.

Greenhouse effect – The warming of the Earth produced by the presence of certain gases in the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon necessary for life on earth; without it the planet’s average temperature would be 0 degrees Fahrenheit, instead of 60 degrees. Greenhouse gases include nitrous oxides, chlorofluorocarbons, methane, tropospheric ozone and carbon dioxide. They trap heat that would otherwise escape into space and return some of it to the earth’s surface, causing a rise in temperature. These gases result from both natural (oceans, wetlands, lakes, volcanoes, tundra and decaying organic matter) and human (the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, etc.) sources.”

July 2008

The NMA‘s official “position on climate change policies,” approved by NMA‘s Executive Committee, focused on the topic of “energy security.” Any reduction in emissions would be achieved through “clean coal” or carbon capture, saying:15“National Mining Association (NMA) Position on Climate Change Policies” (PDF), National Mining Association. Document created July 23, 2008.

“Any meaningful effort to achieve long-term, sustainable reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions will depend on the development and deployment of new energy technologies, including advanced clean coal technologies and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The rapid development, demonstration and widespread deployment of such technologies are of paramount importance in any reasoned and effective effort to address climate change concerns.”

The document also emphasizes that mining and metal industries should be protected from greenhouse gas reduction policy, concluding with the following point:

“Energy- and greenhouse gas-intensive industries, including metals and minerals, that compete in a global market are particularly susceptible to competitive disadvantage from increased costs of a domestic climate change policy. Adequate measures should be put in place to maintain the global economic competitiveness of these industries.”

Clean Coal

NMA has promoted the idea of “Clean Coal Technologies.” In one pamphlet, circa 2008, NMA pushed for more federal funding of Clean Coal programs:16“Clean Coal Technology” (PDF), National Mining Association. Document created November 5, 2008.

“[I]t is critical that the federal government provide funding through the appropriations process for the Department of Energy’s clean coal programs and the FutureGen project,” the pamphlet concluded. “A strong federal commitment to clean coal technology will allow America to take full advantage of its vast 240 year supply of coal reserves […]”

Lobbying

The following data is taken from OpenSecrets and includes total lobbying by lobbying firm hired from 1998 to 2017. See the attached spreadsheet for additional details on National Mining Association lobbying by year (.xlsx).17National Mining Assn,” OpenSecrets.org. Data retrieved September 25, 2017.

Lobbying Firm HiredTotal (1998 – 2017)
National Mining Assn$65,710,387
Alpine Group$2,170,000
Raffaniello & Assoc$1,700,000
McClure, Gerard & Neuenschwander$860,000
Podesta Group$800,000
Ksg LLC$720,173
Nickles Group$500,000
MGN Inc$380,000
Federal Policy Group$320,000
BGR Group$320,000
Frisby, Owen$260,000
National Environmental Strategies$240,000
Washington2 Advocates$220,000
Holland & Hart$180,000
Troutman Sanders$180,000
Lee & Smith$140,000
McBee Strategic Consulting$140,000
PricewaterhouseCoopers$110,000
Policy Navigation Group$85,000
Fay, William$80,000
Carver, Susan$80,000
Carlstrom, Robert E Jr$27,500
Horizons West$20,000
Grand Total$75,243,060

Funding

990 Forms

Key People

Staff/Leadership

Name20132014201520162017NMA TitleCompany Represented
Bruce WatzmanYYYYYSenior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs 
Hal QuinnYYYYYPresident & CEO 
Katie SweeneyYYYYYSenior Vice President, Legal Affairs, and General Counsel 
Kevin CrutchfieldYYYYYChairmanContura Energy
Moya PhellepsYYYYYSenior Vice President, Member Services 
Rich NolanYYYYYSenior Vice President, Government & Political Affairs 
Roger RobertsYYYYYSenior Vice President, Administration & Finance 
Ashley Burke   YYSenior Vice President, Communications 
Phillips S. Baker, Jr.   YYVice Chairman of the BoardHecla Mining Company
Harry M. “Red” Conger YY  ChairmanFreeport-McMoRan Americas
Nancy GravattYY   Senior Vice President, Communications 
Daniel GerkinY    Senior Vice President, Political Affairs 
Francis McallisterY    Chairman of the BoardStillwater Mining Co

Directors (Via 990 Forms)

Name20042005200620082009201020112012201320142015Company*
Richard Smith    YYYYYYYKomatsu America 
Bryan RonckYYYYYYYYYYYBerwind Natural Resources Corporation
Duane L RichardsYYYYYYYYYYYWestern Fuels Association
Harold QuinnYYYYYYYYYYY 
Joseph UsibelliYYYYYYYYYYYUsibelli Coal Mine Inc
Michael W McLanahanYYYYYYYYYYYMcLanahan Corporation
Peter HalpinYYYYYYYYYYYWorld Resources Company
Robert MurrayYYYYYYYYYYYMurray Energy Corporation
Robert StengerYYYYYYYYYYYCincinnati Mine Machinery Co.
Tom MackallYYYYYYYYYYYEast Fairfield Coal Co.
Charles JeannesY YYYYYYYYYGoldcorp
Tony Jensen  YYYYYYYYYRoyal Gold Inc.
Bruce Watzman   YYYYYYYYBerwind Natural Resources Corporation
Luke Popovich   YYYYYYYY 
Mary Sweeney   YYYYYYYY 
Merlyn Nolan   YYYYYYYY 
Roger Roberts   YYYYYYYY 
Benjamin Guenther    YYYYYYYAngloGold Ashanti North America Inc.
Keith Kimble    YYYYYYYKimble Clay & Limestone
Colin Marshall     YYYYYYCloud Peak Energy
Tawny Bridgeford     YYYYYY 
Walt Scheller     YYYYYYWalter Energy
Ben Hatfield  YYY YYYYYMassey Energy
David Willick      YYYYYGE Mining
Donna Wichers      YYYYYAmericas for Uranium One
Greg Jessee      YYYYYArcelorMittal 
James M Mattern      YYYYYBlack Hills Corporation
Lauren Roberts      YYYYYKinross Gold Corporation
Mark McCormick      YYYYY 
Mitchell J Krebs      YYYYYCoeur Mining, Inc
Paul Krivokuca      YYYYYState Generating Co
Randy K Vranes      YYYYYMonsanto
Tony Panchyshyn      YYYYYGraymont
Everett King       YYYYAmbre Energy NA
Keith O’Leary       YYYY 
Porter W Gregory III       YYYYMaterion Natural Resource Inc.
Tom Garges       YYYYOxbow Mining, LLC
Cliff ForrestYYYYYYY YYYFreedom Industries
Frank Calandra JrYYYYYYY YYYJennmar Corp
Garry N DrummondYYYYYYY YYYDrummond Company Inc.
John BlaschakYYYYYYY YYYFisher Mining Company
Joseph W Craft IIIYYYYYYY YYYAlliance Coal
Mark DunnYYYYYYY YYYVeritas Advisors LLP
Phillip S Baker JrYYYYYYY YYYHecla Mining Company
Gregory Boyce YYYYYY YYYPeabody Energy Corporation
Robert Benson  YYYYY YYYThe North American Coal Corporation
Gary Goldberg   YYYY YYY 
Jack Atwater   YYYY YYYDyno Nobel, Inc.
Red Conger   YYYY YYYFreeport-McMoRan Inc.
Tim Gitzel   YYYY YYYCameco Corporation
Cindy Crane    YYY YYYRocky Mountain Power, Inc 
Ali Alavi     YY YYY 
Kevin Crutchfield     YY YYYAlpha Natural Resources
Gregory E Hinshaw        YYYJ.H. Fletcher & Co.
Harry L Anthony        YYYUranium Producers of America
John W Eaves        YYYArch Coal
Nancy Gravatt        YYY 
Robert P Cooper        YYYFarrell-Cooper Mining Co.
Rodney Cole        YYYNexans AmerCable
Steve Kopenitz        YYYLuminant
Thomas Borer        YYYChevron
Tom Diment        YYYAgrium Inc.
Travis Hudson        YYY 
Moya Phelleps  YYYYYY YY 
Michael Brown  YYYY   YYBarrack Gold Corporation
Andrew Taplin         YYBGC Contracting
Brent Bilsland         YYHallador Energy Company
Edward Doheny II         YY 
Guy B Dixon         YYKyanite Mining Corp. 
James E Pinkley         YYJennmar Corp
Jim Vincent         YYMorton Salt Company
Jimmy Brock         YYConsol Energy
Keith Smith         YYTarpon Energy Services
Mick McMullen         YYStillwater Mining Co
Paul Painter         YYSandvik Group
Virginia Hamisevicz         YY 
William Goranson         YYEnergy Fuels Inc
Wyatt Hogan         YYGP Natural Resource Partners LLC
Glenn Kellow     Y    YPeabody Energy Corporation
Amanda Aspatore          Y 
Clark Moseley          YNavajo Transitional Energy Co
Duane Peck          YSSR Mining Inc.
Ed Rapp          YCaterpillar Inc.
Gerald Mullins          YWeber Merritt LLC
JC Butler          YThe North American Coal Corporation
Jeffrey McChesney          Y 
Jennifer Grafton          YWestmoreland Coal Company
Manie Dreyer          YSpencer Stuart
Meri Sandlin          YWestern Fuels Association
Mike Dirham          YAgrium
Robert Bennett          Y 
Charles UngureanYYYYYYYYYY Oxford Resources
David PotterYYYYYYYYYY Clintwood Elkhorn Mining Co.
J Brett HarveyYYYYYYYYYY CONSOL Energy
Glenn Kelly   YYYYYYY Global Climate Coalition
David Godlewski    YYYYYY Teck American Inc.
Victor Stabio    YYYYYY Hallador Energy Company
David P Gardner      YYYY Sandvik Group
Gary Halverson      YYYY Cliffs Natural Resources
Kelly Sanders      YYYY Kennecott Utah Copper
Dave Partridge       YYY Chevron Mining Inc.
Patrick Risner       YYY BHP Billiton
Steven Wunning       YYY Caterpillar Inc.
Gene B DixonYYYYYYY YY Kyanite Mining Corp.
Guy LeblancYYYYYYY YY Morton Salt Company
Nick Carter    YYY YY Natural Resource Partners L.P.
Diego Chanto        YY Komatsu America 
James D Garrett        YY  
Jim Fowler        YY Kinross Gold Corporation
Jim Wolf        YY  
John T Boyd        YY John T. Boyd Company
Terrell Ackerman        YY Stillwater Mining Co
Jerry Mullins         Y  
Douglas HardmanYYYYYYYYY  J.H. Fletcher & Co.
Leroy HagenbuchYYYYYYYYY  Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc.
Kevin Loughrey  YYYYYYY  Thompson Creek Metals
Michael Sutherlin  YYYYYYY  Joy Global Inc.
Daniel Gerkin   YYYYYY   
Richard O’Brien   YYYYYY  Newmont Mining Corporation
Mike Williams     YYYY  Luminant
Gary Self      YYY   
Peter Luthiger      YYY  Mestena Uranium LLC
Francis McAllisterYYYYYYY Y  Stillwater Mining Co
Keith Clark      Y Y  Compass Minerals
Veronika Kohler        Y   
Robert Hogan JrYYYYYYYY   AmerCable
Steven LeerYYYYYYYY   Arch Coal
Mark A Smith  YYYYYY    
Carol Raulston   YYYYY    
Richard Whiting   YYYYY   Patriot Coal Corp.
Jac Fourie     YYY   BHP Billiton
John King      YY   National Gypsum Company
Mark Premo      YY   Avanti Mining
Paul Georgia       Y   Frontiers of Freedom
Tate Rosenbusch       Y   QEP Resources
Alex BoultonYYYYYYY    Brush Resources
David FarnsworthYYYYYYY    Monsanto
Dennis WheelerYYYYYYY    Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
Greg LangYYYYYYY    Barrack Gold Corporation
John Rich JrYYYYYYY    Reading Anthracite Co.
Ron HochsteinYYYYYYY    Denison Mines Corp.
John Hamrick  YYYYY    Cotter Corporation
Joseph Carrabba  YYYYY    Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
John Galassini   YYYY    Sunshine Silver Mines Corporation
Karen Bennett   YYYY     
Robert L Evans   YYYY    Norwest Corporation
William TateYYY YYY    Bucyrus International (Caterpillar)
Dan Allan    YYY    Sandvik Group
Janpeter Bekkering     YY    Caterpillar Inc.
Jay Wileman     YY    GE Energy
Baxter Phillips      Y    Massey Energy
Bradford Frisby      Y     
John Disharoon      Y    Caterpillar Inc.
Christopher CurfmanYYYYYY     Caterpillar Inc.
Donald BlankenshipYYYYYY     Massey Energy
Gerard CarrollYYYYYY     National Gypsum Company
James BoydYYYYYY     John T. Boyd Company
John GrishamYYYYYY     Buckeye Industrial Mining Co.
Mark SnyderYYYYYY     State Industries, Inc.
Raymond DuboisYYYYYY     Trapper Mining Inc.
Thomas JaneckYYYYYY     Goldcorp
Brian Sullivan YYYYY     Alpha Natural Resources
Michael Quillen YYYYY     Alpha Natural Resources
Daniel Roling  YYYY     National Coal Corp.
George RichmondYY YYY     Jim Walter Resources, Incl.
David Campbell   YYY     Luminant
Fred Nelson   YYY     Chevron Mining Inc.
Keith Alessi   YYY     Westmoreland Coal Company
C Bolton Jr    YY      
Julia Gustafson    YY      
Kraig Naasz YYYY       
David Finkenbinder   YY       
Doug HorswillYYYY       Teck Cominco Limited
James RobertsYYYY       Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.
Timothy SullivanYYYY       Bucyrus International (Caterpillar)
Robert Jornayvaz YYY       Intrepid Potash
Bill Sharrer  YY       Molycorp Minerals, LLC.
Donald Ewigleben  YY       AngloGold Ashanti North America Inc.
Wayne WagnerYY Y        
Brenda Cordova   Y        
Richard Litt   Y        
Bonny A HuffmanYYY        Sand Hills Coal Col, Inc.
Brenda JamiesonYYY        Jamieson Construction Co., Inc.
Gerald GrandeyYYY        Cameco Corporation
Jeff SchmalingYYY        Komatsu America 
Michael BrandtYYY        Lafayette Coal Company
Michael T. PuskarichYYY         
Mike McCallYYY        TXU Power
Wayne MurdyYYY        Newmont Mining Corporation
William ChampionYYY        Rio Tinto
Bill Hodgson YY         
Chuck Mottley YY        El Capitan Precious Metals, Inc.
John Stilley YY        Amerikohl Mining, Inc.
John Stoehr YY        Dyno Nobel, Inc.
Lewis Wayne Isaacs YY        BHP Billiton
Richard Adkerson YY        Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
Benjamin Statler  Y        PinnOak Resources
Donovan Symonds  Y        Norwest Corporation
Dorian Nicol  Y        Queenstake Resources Ltd.
Doug Jackson  Y        TransAlta
Neil Getzelman  Y        Interwest Mining Company
Allen RandleYY         Chevron
C.E. Bryant, JrYY         Continental Conveyor & Equipment Company
Clifford MiercortYY         The North American Coal Corporation
Dee W JenseYY         Energy West Mining Company
J Cam BatemenYY         TransAlta
J Steven WhislerYY         Phelps Dodge Corporation
Jack GerardYY         American Petroleum Institute
James LaforceYY          
Jeffrey ZelmsYY         The Doe Run Resources Corp.
Jerry DanniYY         Kinross Gold Corporation
John BrinzoYY         Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
John MilesYY          
John Nils HansonYY         Joy Global Inc.
Matt HowellYY         Zinifex Clarksville Inc.
Nori C JonesYY          
Pete NeilansYY         Placer Dome US
R David RussellYY         Appolo Gold Corporation
Richard ZieglerYY         Cotter Corporation
Stanley DempseyYY         Royal Gold Inc.
Steve MooneyYY         Thompson Creek Metals
Steven J ParkerYY          
Debra Struhsacker Y         Kinross Gold Corporation
Jon Nix Y         National Coal Corp.
Adrian F JackmanY          Kennecot Minerals Inc.
Brett ClaytonY           
Chris DavieY          Celeste Mining Corp.
Gerald GeraghtyY           
Gregory CorkY           
Irl F. EngelhardtY          Peabody Holding Company
John GrubbY           
Myron S BurdetteY          Eagle-Picher Minerals, Inc.
Randy FooteY          Intrepid Potash
Thomas SchelatY           
W. Russell KingY           

*Company representation based on best available data, where not available via original 990 forms. If any affiliations are misrepresented, please contact DeSmog. All sources on file.

Actions

May 2021

The NMA filed a brief in West Virginia v. EPA, a U.S. Supreme Court case that reduced the EPA’s ability to regulate power plants under the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. NMA’s brief was filed by the Atlanta law firm, Troutman, Pepper, Hamilton ,and Sanders LLP. In June 2022, the court ruled 6-3 against the EPA.”18BRIEF OF RESPONDENT NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION in STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL., PETITIONERS, v. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND MICHAEL REGAN, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, RESPONDENTS,” Supreme Court of the United States docket no. 20-1530. 19Re: West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency, et. al., No. 20-1530,” Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP, November 24, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 20BRIEF OF RESPONDENT NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS in STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ET AL., RESPONDENTS. ON WRITS OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT,” Supreme Court of the United States docket no. Nos. 20-1530, 20-1531, 20-1778, and 20-1780. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

October 3–4, 2017

The NMA held its 2017 board meeting. According to The Intercept,21Lee Fang and Nick Surgey. “AFTER MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS TO INDUSTRY, MINING EXECUTIVES WILL SPEND BIG AT TRUMP’S D.C. HOTEL,” The Intercept, September 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/crPMu and E&E News, the meeting was scheduled to take place at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. and featured some of the largest coal and mining companies in the country.22Dylan Brown. “NMA to host board meeting at Trump hotel — report,” E&E News, September 15, 2017.

The New Yorker reported that Charlie Kirk, head of Turning Point USA attended the meeting. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke was also scheduled to speak at the event.23Lee Fang and Nick Surgey. “AFTER MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS TO INDUSTRY, MINING EXECUTIVES WILL SPEND BIG AT TRUMP’S D.C. HOTEL,” The Intercept, September 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/crPMu 24Jane Meyer. “A Conservative Nonprofit That Seeks to Transform College Campuses Faces Allegations of Racial Bias and Illegal Campaign Activity,” The New Yorker, December 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/npnGL

Rooms for the days scheduled cost approximately $800 per night. Election law expert Brendan Fischer commented that because Trump had refused to divest from the Trump Organization, “money spent at the president’s D.C. hotel will make it into the president’s pocket.”25Lee Fang and Nick Surgey. “AFTER MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS TO INDUSTRY, MINING EXECUTIVES WILL SPEND BIG AT TRUMP’S D.C. HOTEL,” The Intercept, September 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/crPMu

The National Mining Association or any other lobbying group has likely concluded that spending money at the Trump International Hotel in D.C. is a solid way of currying favor with the administration — and that spending money anywhere else runs the risk of offending our very sensitive president,” he added.26“Assessing Economic Impacts of a Stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone” (PDF)NERA Economic Consulting, July 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

According to the event invitation, “the evening reception on the rooftop will be the first reception since the 2016 elections and will provide an excellent opportunity to meet the new members of Congress, build on our relationships, and share our perspectives with our guests from Congress and federal agencies.”27“Assessing Economic Impacts of a Stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Ozone” (PDF)NERA Economic Consulting, July 2014. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

June, 2017

NMA‘s president and CEO Hal Quinn released a statement on the WOTUS (Waters of the United States) Rule,28NMA Welcomes Proposal to Axe Illegal WOTUS Rule,” National Mining Association, June 27, 2017. Archived September 25, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5KPm0 supporting its repeal. The EPA‘s WOTUS rule seeks to clarify the limits of federal jurisdiction to protect wetlands.29EPA’s Clean Water Rule: what’s at stake and what comes next,” The Conversation, June 3, 2015. Archived September 25, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zf4KM

April 2017

Politico reported the NMA board of directors had voted to urge President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. The decision happened shortly after NMA leadership reportedly met with EPA Administer Scott Pruitt to discuss the accord. Pruitt had personally attended an NMA executive meeting to discuss the Paris accord. A spokesman for NMA denied that Pruitt had urged the group to support withdrawing from the accord, despite a source telling Politico the opposite.30Andrew Restuccia. “Mining group to support pulling out of Paris after meeting with Pruitt,” Politico, April 25, 2017. Archived October 5, 2017. Achive.is URL: https://archive.is/mBKN0

March 2017

The NMA applauded President Donald Trump’s executive order on the Clean Power Plan (CPP).31NMA Applauds Executive Order Targeting the Costly Power Plan and the Coal Moratorium,” National Mining Association, March 28, 2017. Archived September 25, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KT1Us

The clean power plan and the moratorium served the interests of political activists, not the American people,” said Hal Quinn, NMA president and CEO. “The president’s actions today help to restore common sense priorities and the important balance between costs and benefits that have been missing from federal regulatory policies.”

NMA also described the CPP as “extremely costly while providing no significant environmental benefits.”32NMA Applauds Executive Order Targeting the Costly Power Plan and the Coal Moratorium,” National Mining Association, March 28, 2017. Archived September 25, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KT1Us

January 27, 2017

The Count on Coal coalition launched a Congressional Scorecard for the 115th congress to track votes on coal-related issues.33NMA Launches Congressional Scorecard Listing CRA Vote to Stop Unnecessary Stream Rule,” National Mining Association, January 27, 2017. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cGKZ0

“Count on Coal ‘s scorecard was developed to ensure vital coal industry priorities remain at the top of members’ priority lists and are translated into action that provides coal communities with urgent relief from further economic harm,” the NMA press release reported.

One of the key votes tracked would be what NMA described as a “unnecessary” stream rule:

Swift and decisive action on the Stream Rule is required to restore balance, save high-wage jobs and protect an energy source integral to our nation’s success,” said NMA president and CEO Hal Quinn. “The combination of unnecessary government overreach, regulatory duplication and harm done through this rule meets every test for CRA action and for a key vote to kick off our scorecard for the 115th Congress.”34NMA Launches Congressional Scorecard Listing CRA Vote to Stop Unnecessary Stream Rule,” National Mining Association, January 27, 2017. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cGKZ0

On February 16, President Donald Trump signed an order to repeal the Stream Protection Rule. The Sierra Club noted that the rule covers waterways near surface coal mining operations including mountaintop-removal mines. The rule, introduced in 1983 and later strengthened by the Obama Administration, wrote that coal mines could not damage the “hydrologic balance” outside of their permit areas by doing things like dumping debris into valleys that could pollute rivers and streams with heavy metals such as selenium, mercury, and arsenic.35Paul Rauber. “Goodbye, Stream Protection Rule,” Sierra, February 1, 2017. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QMRLr

August 2016

The NMA released a “Fact Sheet” on the Clean Power Plan (CPP) titled “An Unlawful, Ineffective, Expensive Federal Government Power Grab” (PDF).36An Unlawful, Ineffective, Expensive Federal Government Power Grab” (PDF), National Mining Association. Document created August 25, 2016.

According to the document, “Climate change benefits will be virtually unmeasurable,” the CPP was “unlawful,” “unworkable,” and “weakens grid reliability.” Notably, sources cited included several industry-backed groups including the Cato Institute and The American Coalition on Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE).37An Unlawful, Ineffective, Expensive Federal Government Power Grab” (PDF), National Mining Association. Document created August 25, 2016.

January 2016

NMA requested an immediate stay of the Clean Power Plan, along with industry applicants Murray Energy Corporation, Peabody Energy Corporation, and American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE).38“MURRAY ENERGY CORPORATION, PEABODY ENERGY CORPORATION, ET AL., Applicants, v. UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY and REGINA A. MCCARTHY, Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Respondents” (PDF), Supreme Court of the United States, January 2016. Retrieved from edf.org.

October 2015

The NMA, ACCCE and Murray Energy Corporation signed on to a coal industry motion for a stay of the Clean Power Plan, claiming that “EPA‘s legal basis for transforming the electric sector is farfetched at best.”39“USCA Case #15-1366” (PDF), filed October 23, 2015. Retrieved from edf.org.

In August, NMA had also sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, requesting a stay of the “Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units.” NMA president and CEO Hal Quin claimed in the letter that “staying the rule will not affect the climate” and “ even when fully implemented, will not meaningfully lower temperatures, reduce sea level rise or otherwise have climate impacts.”40“Dear Administrator McCarthy” (PDF), National Mining Association. Retrieved from influencemap.org.

September 2015

Luke Popovitch, a spokesman for NMA, went on Newstalk KGVO radio to discuss the EPA‘s Clean Power Plan. Audio below.“41Luke Popovitch from the National Mining Association about the EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Newstalk KGVO,” September 3, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“There is really a hidden agenda here, which is to say, this President is going to be the climate president but he is doing so at the expense of American industry, to say nothing of American households,” Popovitch said.

December 1, 2014

NMA submitted comments on the EPA‘s emissions guidelines for existing power plants, claiming that “EPA’s proposed regulations are unlawful at the most fundamental level.”42“COMMENTS OF THE NATIONAL MINING ASSOCIATION” (PDF), National Mining Association. Retrieved from influencemap.org.

July 29, 2014

Hal Quinn, NMA President and CEO, testified at an Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing in Washington, D.C. where he opposed the EPA‘s proposed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.43NMA Says EPA’s Climate Rule Erects Structural Barrier to Economic Recovery, Future Growth,” National Mining Association, July 29, 2004. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL:  https://archive.is/nVIb6

“EPA’s proposal is another step in this administration’s policies designed to eliminate low cost and reliable electricity and replace it with more expensive and less reliable sources. By reducing the diversity of our nation’s electricity supply and raising its costs, EPA will create a structural barrier for our economic recovery and future growth,” Quinn said.

May 2011

The American Coal Foundation paid Scholastic, Inc.—the children’s books publisher—to produce maps and worksheets called the “United States of Energy” and place them in classrooms.44Jeff Young. “Scholastic distributed coal propaganda in schools,” PRI, May 16, 2011. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/yFfx9

“At first glance, it looks like an exploration of all sources of electricity. But much of the information comes from the National Mining Association, a coal-lobbying group. And these exercises for children subtly emphasize coal’s benefits,” PRI reported, noting that the maps do not mention environmental damages associated with mining. Solar power only appeared once in the map.

Faith Boninger, a research analyst with Arizona State University’s Commercialism in Education Research Unit, described them as “not really education.” Rather, she said “they’re propaganda.”

A Scholastic representative provided a statement, noting: “Since the program is designed for elementary schoolchildren, the materials do not attempt to cover all of the complex issues around the sourcing and consumption of energy.”45Jeff Young. “Scholastic distributed coal propaganda in schools,” PRI, May 16, 2011. Archived September 27, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/yFfx9

On May 13, 2011, Scholastic issued the following statement:

“This week, Scholastic came under criticism for an 11” x 16” poster map which displays different sources of energy – coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind and natural gas – not so much for the content of the poster but primarily for its sponsorship by the American Coal Foundation. We acknowledge that the mere fact of sponsorship may call into question the authenticity of the information, and therefore conclude that we were not vigilant enough as to the effect of sponsorship in this instance. We have no plans to further distribute this particular program.”

January 2011

Politico reported that the NMA—along with the American Petroleum Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other industry-friendly groups—attended a closed-door meeting with Republican staff members to strategize a way to “handcuff the Obama administration’s climate change agenda.”46Robin Bravender and Darren Goode. “GOP staff, energy lobby in talks,” Politico, January 20, 2011. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ah0Oy

Politico described the goal as an “all-out push to block federal and state climate rules.”

The feedback we got was ‘hey, great, go for it guys,’” one Republican aide told Politico. “And we pretty strongly told them we do need your help to get this done. And when we walked away from the meeting the feeling was we got that.”47Robin Bravender and Darren Goode. “GOP staff, energy lobby in talks,” Politico, January 20, 2011. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ah0Oy

Fred Upton and Jim Inhofe‘s aides were among those seeking for the push to block climate change regulations.

June 2009

The NMA was behind a PowerPoint document highlighted supposed regional costs that energy consumers would face under the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill. Grist reported that the document was discussed on a conference call held by the “Rural America Solutions Group” within the GOP caucus, hosted by Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and Doc Hastings (R-Wash.).48Kate Sheppard. “House GOP circulating anti–climate bill document created by coal lobby,” Grist, June 19, 2009. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/p8igD

Tamara Hinton, spokesperson for the Republicans on the Agriculture Committee, says that the PowerPoint document originated from the NMA.

“If the coal industry wants to provide information to show how it will impact people, we’re just letting people know that that information exists,” said Hinton. “There is no conflict of interest.”49Kate Sheppard. “House GOP circulating anti–climate bill document created by coal lobby,” Grist, June 19, 2009. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/p8igD

November 28, 2008

The NMA submitted comments on the proposed regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act (CAA). According to the submitted comments, “NMA believes that the CAA is ill-suited for addressing climate change and that regulation of GHGs under the CAA in its current form will result in highly inefficient and wasteful regulation with extremely high costs for little or no societal benefit.”50“Comments of the National Mining Association on Regulating Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act Docket ID EPA-HQ-OAR-2008-0318” (PDF)National Mining Association, November 28, 2008. Retrieved from Uschamber.com. 51Potential Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Under the Clean Air Act,” National Mining Association. Archived January 5, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ivXDu

NMA Members

Contact & Address

National Mining Association52About NMA,” National Mining Association. Archived September 26, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fzxTV
101 Constitution Ave. NW
Suite 500 East
Washington, D.C. 20001
Phone: (202) 463-2600

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