The F.O.R.C.E. is With You
This Pennsylvania Organization is Dedicated to Fighting for the Future of Coal
“If we don’t support coal, then we don’t support ourselves. By joining the F.O.R.C.E. organization, you have a voice and you will be heard.”
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During a recent interview with Jeanine Rainone and Kathleen Pesuti, the team that runs F.O.R.C.E. (Families Organized to Represent the Coal Economy), their message was clear — Pennsylvanians need to understand how important coal is to their economy.
“People who work in the industry understand,” said Rainone, manager of F.O.R.C.E. “What we’re trying to do is create a broader public awareness about the industry and cultivate a sense of pride about coal mining and the jobs and families it supports.”
F.O.R.C.E. is dedicated to promoting the importance of Pennsylvania’s coal industry and the value of a healthy coal economy. It represents tens of thousands of owners, employees, and families that benefit through job and business opportunities thanks to Pennsylvania’s coal industry.
Organized in 2003 as a voice for those who rely on a healthy coal economy, the organization provides accurate and balanced information to its members, Pennsylvania citizens and leaders about the benefits of the coal industry, which is a critical business for meeting the United States’ energy and economic needs.
In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 8,000 direct mining jobs and more than 40,000 indirect, or support jobs, created to support and service Pennsylvania’s mines. As the fourth largest coal producing state in the nation, these jobs and business opportunities are vital to Pennsylvania’s economy. Coal is an economic engine in the state.
“It’s funny,” said Rainone. “Although we are the fourth largest coal producing state and home to some of the top producing underground and bituminous mines, I’ve actually run into people who don’t even know coal is mined in Pennsylvania. Coal’s history in our state is long and holds such a great story.”
Members Make the Difference
F.O.R.C.E. is governed by a 13-member board of directors. Through its leadership, the organization is an information avenue and promotes the benefits of coal along with working to increase its membership.
“The coal community is large, but sometimes it can be too quiet,” said Kathleen Pesuti, development coordinator for F.O.R.C.E. “Thankfully, through our membership companies, we can encourage their employees to get involved and help promote our cause and continue our mission.”
The economic impact study and public awareness campaign are the driving force behind F.O.R.C.E. The economic impact study provides valuable data and information about the coal industry. It details the history of coal in Pennsylvania, the number of jobs created by the mining sector, where coal is mined, how it’s processed and some of the major companies involved in mining the coal, like Alpha Natural Resources, Amerikohl Mining, CONSOL Energy, Rosebud Mining, and more.
In addition, the study offers industry context about coal, such as how it is taxed, safety standards within the industry, how mine subsidence occurs, effects on water quality, local air quality and global carbon.
The public awareness campaign is conducted through various media but primarily through an outdoor campaign, which includes posting messages on Pennsylvania’s major highways. With daily reads of over 700,000 and growing, F.O.R.C.E. keeps Pennsylvania coal, and its importance, in the minds of thousands of motorists every day.
The study, public awareness campaign, and bi-monthly newsletter are the crux of the organization’s educational program and cannot be completed without the support it receives from its members.
F.O.R.C.E. is Fun
Twice a year, the F.O.R.C.E. organization kicks up its heels, raises funds for F.O.R.C.E.’s mission and projects and celebrates their hard work and dedication to the industry they love.
The annual golf outing is held in September and is a way to bring industry leaders and small businesses together to talk shop and hit the greens. “We’ve begun calling it the Hurricane Classic,” said Rainone. “The first year we held the outing, Hurricane Ivan came bursting through Southwestern Pennsylvania. We got calls all day asking if the event was going to be cancelled. We decided to move forward but no one was able to golf because of the rain. That mean the majority of the time was spent having drinks, hors d’oeuvres and giving away prizes. We had a great time and decided it had to be called “The Hurricane Classic.”
The second event brings the members together for a night filled with good food, great entertainment, and rousing speeches from industry and government leaders. It is an excellent way for members as well as community and state leaders to understand the importance of the industry and its employees and supporters.
“It’s a true celebration of F.O.R.C.E.,” said Pesuti. “This year’s event had a country-western theme and our entertainment was country singer, Sara Evans. She was amazing. Our members had a great time, which is one of the reasons to get together. To see them with their families, colleagues, friends and community leaders enjoying the evening and supporting the coal industry, we can’t ask for more than that.”
For Rainone and Pesuti they want to spread the word about F.O.R.C.E. and increase membership, but more importantly they want Pennsylvanians to understand the important role coal plays in their lives and the local and national economy.
“If we don’t support coal, then we don’t support ourselves,” said Rainone. “By joining the F.O.R.C.E. organization, you have a voice and you will be heard.”
“It helps raise families and sustains jobs,” said Pesuti. “Since we have the largest coal producing county east of the Mississippi in Southwestern Pennsylvania, it only makes sense to utilize our vast natural asset and promote the important economic benefit it provides our state.”
To stop by the F.O.R.C.E. website, CLICK HERE
— By Britt Fresa, MiningConnection.com
