contura energy

The National Mining Association (NMA), which calls itself the “clear voice for U.S. mining,” is a trade association

“that represents the interests of mining before Congress, the administration, federal agencies, the judiciary, and the

media.”83 Exclusively dedicated to promoting the mining industry’s interests, the NMA has been granted UNFCCC

observer status, despite the fact that the organization does not acknowledge the seriousness of climate change and

adamantly opposes the Paris Agreement. Its track record reveals what its funding and name implies—that it will go to

great lengths to promote further coal production, thwarting climate policy proposals that stand in the way.

Links to the fossil fuel industry

The NMA has received funding from Peabody Energy.84 Kevin Crutchfield, CEO of Contura Energy, is chairman

of the board.85

The NMA represents the interests of some of the world’s largest and dirtiest coal mining corporations, such as

Peabody Energy, Arch Coal, GE Mining, and the American Coal Council.86

What it says about climate change and its causes

Although admitted to take part in climate negotiations at the UNFCCC, the NMA has failed to take a strong public

stance on the seriousness of climate change or the role that the burning of fossil fuels has played in causing

climate change.87-88

Public stance on the UNFCCC or the Paris Agreement

The NMA’s vice president, Luke Popovich, has been outspoken against the Paris Agreement and its requirements,

comparing it to forcing the U.S. to be “the only ‘good kid in the class.’”89 He has claimed that the rest of the world

will continue to increase its production of coal and that more regulation for the U.S. is not the solution to climate

change.89

Track record on climate policy

● Sued against pivotal climate policies.

In 2016, the NMA was one of the Parties that sued against the Clean Power Plan, which was central to the Obama

Administration’s UNFCCC negotiating platform.90 Scott Pruitt, who is now President Trump’s head of the Environmental

Protection Agency, counseled the NMA and others through the case. A fact sheet recently produced by the NMA titled

“An Unlawful, Ineffective, Expensive Federal Government Power Grab” slammed the Clean Power Plan, insisting it

would have only a “negligible” impact on the environment but would devastate the economy.91

● Campaigns for coal production.

Its “Count on Coal” campaign promotes coal as the “most abundant and affordable energy resource,” 92 ignoring the

devastating environmental impacts of the dirty fuel’s entire supply chain.

● Supports anti-climate Trump administration.

NMA President Hal Quinn welcomed the Trump administration with open arms because of its support of the coal

industry and its promises to dismantle the Clean Power Plan—the regulations at the heart of the U.S.’s commitments

to the Paris Agreement.93

● Opposed protecting water and wildlife.

The NMA commissioned an 82-page report that deconstructs the U.S.’ Stream Protection Rule, which aimed to reduce

harm to water and wildlife from coal production. Contrary to the analysis done by the Department of the Interior, the

report claimed the regulations would cost up to 77,000 jobs.94 In February of 2017, President Trump overturned this

rule, with the praise of the NMA.95