Manchin Holds 2nd Coal Summit for Environmentists

"Environmentalist groups opposed to surface mining" got face time with Gov. Joe Manchin and West Virginia's congressional delegation or their aides, during a closed-door meeting at the Capitol Complex, The Associated Press and others report.

These interests had been excluded from a November summit that Manchin and other political leaders held with coal industry executives and lobbyists.

"Monday's topics included warning systems for people near coal slurry impoundments," writes AP's Tom Breen. "Maria Gunnoe of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition says the dialogue needs to continue. Country music singer and Cross Lanes native Kathy Mattea was also among the participants."

Others covering the follow-up summit include The Charleston Gazette, MetroNews, Public Broadcasting (with audio), the Charleston Daily Mail and The Register-Herald of Beckley.