Friends of Coal

Friends of Coal is an advocacy group that functions in several states and works closely with state coal trade organizations.

It was founded in West Virginia by the coal industry as a countermeasure to grassroots environmental justice movements during the summer of 2002 over debates about legislation concerning weight limits on West Virginia highways for trucks carrying coal. It subsequently broadened its efforts to improve the image of the coal industry and to link the coal industry to the economic and social self-identity of people who live near coal mines; as part of the latter effort, it sponsors local events like car shows and sports events.