"By communicating with one voice, we will work together to create an environment that will establish West Virginia coal as a safer, cleaner and more competitive energy source. * To take all necessary steps to ensure the WVCA is the leading voice for all matters related to coal in West Virginia. * To be a strong advocate for improving safety at our members' operations through education, legislative and administrative actions and bring positive recognition to the safety accomplishments of our members. * To implement an organized, focused effort to inform key demographic segments across West Virginia of the advantages of using West Virginia coal. The WVCA will assemble and disseminate to members and the public factual information about the industry in the state and elsewhere; keep its members informed of governmental matters affecting the industry; and engage in such other lawful and legitimate activities as may be necessary to properly safeguard, protect and advance the industry, its members and the public. The West Virginia Coal Association is committed to making West Virginia mining the safest in the country and U.S. mining the safest in the world. In 2006, after years of improved safety and decreasing fatalities, the coal industry has experienced recent industrial accidents that will forever remind the industry that more must be done and that we cannot become complacent. The only acceptable number of mining accidents is zero. WVCA is working with our members, state and federal regulators, miners and other concerned stakeholders to identify technology, practice and training solutions that improve worker safety at all levels."