Governor, congressmen to meet Tuesday with local officials on future of coal industry

CHARLESTON — Gov. Joe Manchin, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, U.S. Rep. Nick Joe Rahall and others are planning to host a private meeting on Tuesday at the governor's office in Charleston on the future of coal in West Virginia with government, industry and labor representatives.

The meeting was brought about at the request of county commissioners from Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan and Mingo counties who are worried about the future of the coal industry.

Representatives of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd and U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller are also expected to attend.

The meeting is closed to the public, but according to a statement issued by the governor's office participants will be available to the media following the meeting's conclusion Tuesday.