Talk:Massey Energy

Comment from Massey Energy
Dear Editor: I am writing in my capacity as a public and community relations officer for Massey Energy (Massey). Massey and our public relations firm are interested in working with you to develop a page for Massey on Wikipedia that is more in line with our competitors and other American businesses of our size. I have reviewed the pages of Arch, CONSOL and Peabody Energy for ideas on how best to update our page. We are concerned about the lack of descriptive and pertinent information about the company on Wikipedia and believe that a broader range of details would improve the usability of the page for visitors. We believe that the content in and length of the current "Controversy" section creates a false imbalance with other available information about the company's work on the page and as such may not conform to Wikipedia’s “neutral point of view “ principle.

Below we have provided a few initial thoughts on how we would like to update Massey’s Wikipedia page:

First, we would like to provide permission for Wikipedia to use an image of our corporate logo, as seen on the pages for Arch, CONSOL and Peabody. We can provide this image.

Second, we would like to add the following sections to the Massey page:

"Community”: highlighting information about the company's community service efforts. "Safety and Technology": highlighting information about the company’s safety innovations. “Financials”: highlighting Massey’s historical and recent financial performance.

Finally, we will only add information to Wikipedia that is accompanied by detailed references, per the site’s instructions.

We are most committed to updating the Massey page in a manner that is transparent and balanced. Please let me know the best way to proceed and thank you for your counsel.

Troy Andes Massey Energy TroyAndes (talk) 20:01, 19 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Thank you for declaring your relation to the company ahead of time and your interest in improving Wikipedia. I would first read WP:COI to see Wikipedia's policy on conflicts of interest. Given the policy, it is best for you to post your proposed changes here on the talk page and let other editors incorporate them as appropriate.--Jorfer (talk) 23:49, 19 January 2009 (UTC)


 * I see here clear problem with WP:UNDUE as more than 3/4 of this article is a controversy section, while the history section is very limited and information about the company activities is almost missing. I am not able to say anything about the controversy section right now as this is needing more careful reading, but certainly we should to expand other sections, such as history, operations, probably something about shareholders etc. Beagel (talk) 22:26, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Dear Editor:

I am writing as a follow up to my earlier post to inform you that our public relations firm will make some minor factual edits to Massey’s Wikipedia page over the course of the next day. Also, below I have included some proposed additions to the Massey page, including new corporate history, board of directors and community service sections. Please let me know if you have edits, as we would like to post these new sections to the page as soon as possible. Thanks again for your counsel.

CORPORATE HISTORY

A.T. Massey incorporated the A.T. Massey Coal Company in 1920 as a coal brokering business in Richmond, Va., and served as the company’s first president. A.T. Massey acquired its first mining operation in 1945 and expanded its business to include coal mining and processing. Several members of the Massey family succeeded A.T. Massey as company president, including Evan Massey in 1945, William E. Massey in 1962 and E. Morgan Massey in 1972.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/quote/snapshot/snapshot.html?symb=MEE

St. Joe Minerals acquired a majority interest in A.T. Massey in 1974. Six years later, St. Joe Minerals formed the Massey Coal Partnership, along with Royal Dutch Shell.

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/tools/quotes/profile.asp?symb=mee

In 1981, the Fluor Corporation acquired St. Joe Minerals.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/quote/snapshot/snapshot.html?symb=MEE

In 1987, the Massey Coal Partnership was reorganized into A.T. Massey Coal Company, a wholly owned mining subsidiary of Fluor Corporation, initiating a period of significant growth through acquisitions.

A.T. Massey completed a reverse spin-off from Fluor Corporation in 2000 and was renamed Massey Energy Company. Today, Massey Energy produces, processes, and sells bituminous coal of steam and metallurgical grades, primarily of low sulfur content, through its 22 processing and shipping centers, called "resource groups," many of which receive coal from multiple coal mines.

Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=124955&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=134404&highlight= Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/about/history.shtml

Massey currently operates 35 underground mines and 12 surface mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Virginia.

In 2007, Massey announced a strategic alliance with Essar Mineral Resources Ltd., a member of Essar Group of India, to jointly evaluate and develop select business opportunities on a project-by-project basis.

Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/28/business/NA-FIN-US-Massey-India.php Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-28-2007/0004712932&EDATE= Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS48978+28-Nov-2007+PRN20071128

The company recently promoted several executives to new positions. In November 2008, Massey promoted Baxter Phillips Jr., formerly executive vice president and chief administrative officer, to president, a position previously held by Massey Chairman and CEO Don Blankenship.

Source: http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=46913 Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1226113&highlight=

Phillips’ new position will focus on Massey Energy's strategic growth plans and will continue to manage sales, finance, human resources, information systems and investor relations at the company's Richmond headquarters.

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Massey-Energy-names-Baxter-apf-13557869.html

In January 2009, the company promoted John M. Poma to vice president and chief administrative officer, Jeffrey M. Gillenwater to vice president of human resources and Steve Sears to vice president of sales and marketing, nearly a year after promoting Shane Harvey to general counsel.

Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1246880&highlight= Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1243617&highlight= Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1100787&highlight=

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

•	Don Blankenship, chairman and CEO, Massey Energy •	James B. Crawford, former chairman and CEO, James River Coal Company •	General Robert H. Foglesong, retired four-star general, U.S. Air Force •	Richard M. Gabrys, former vice chairman, Deloitte & Touche LLP •	E. Gordon Gee, president, Ohio State University •	Admiral Bobby R. Inman, former director, National Security Agency •	Lady Barbara Judge, chair, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority •	Dan R. Moore, chair, Moore Group, Inc. •	Baxter F. Phillips Jr., president, Massey Energy •	Stanley C. Suboleski, former commissioner, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-govboard

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Massey Energy actively supports the health, education and cultural enrichment of children and adults in Central Appalachia through the sponsorship of medical and mining education, community projects and sporting events.

Much of Massey’s community and philanthropic efforts are managed by the company’s Spousal Groups, which organize school programs and volunteers, assist the elderly by providing meals and visiting nursing homes, and plan the annual Christmas Extravaganza for local children.

Source: http://ourtotalenvironment.com/news/detail.aspx?newsID=30

Corporate Social Responsibility Report

Massey released its inaugural Corporate Social Responsibility Report in 2008. The report provides an overview of Massey Energy's corporate commitment to and accomplishments in improving the safety of coal mining, protecting the environment and serving the community. A copy of the report is available on Massey’s Web site.

Source: http://www.csrwire.com/News/12910.html Source: http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/10/102/102864/items/305025/Massey_CSR_sm.pdf

Support of Education

Massey's Partners in Education program provides financial assistance for academic materials, recreational equipment and building improvements as well as provides volunteers at primary and secondary schools throughout Appalachia, including Scott High School and Van Junior/Senior High School; Sacred Heart and Williamson Middle Schools; and Marsh Fork, Johns Creek and Southside Elementary Schools.

Massey regularly rewards academic achievement and good classroom behavior by sponsoring school attendance incentives and the purchase of laptop computers and other equipment for students.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/community/education.shtml

Massey is also a prominent supporter of higher education in Central Appalachia. Massey is a sponsor of the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF), a non-profit organization that allows young men and women from Appalachia to pursue higher education though scholarship and leadership curriculum. Over the years, Massey has sponsored numerous scholarships for local students through ALEF. Massey board member General Robert Foglesong is the founder of ALEF and presently serves as the foundation’s executive director.

Source: http://www.alefwv.com/aboutus.htm Source: http://www.alefwv.com/welcome.htm

Massey Energy also formed Doctors for our Communities with Marshall University in 1997 to provide financial assistance to incoming M.D. degree candidates in the Marshall University School of Medicine. Massey forgives all loans made through the program as long as the recipient practices medicine for a minimum of seven years in Massey’s operating region.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/community/doctors.shtml Source: http://www.huntingtonnews.net/marshall/080722-staff-marshallmasseyenergy.html

Massey donated $250,000 to Marshall to assist in renovations of the Fred and Christine Shewey Athletic Building.

Source: http://www.huntingtonnews.net/marshall/080722-staff-marshallmasseyenergy.html

Massey pledged more than $300,000 to the University of Kentucky (UK) in 2007 to assist with enhancements to the UK Department of Mining Engineering's laboratory facilities, provide annual tuition assistance to four UK engineering students, and support the university’s Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration student chapter. UK named Massey Energy a John Bryan Bowman Fellow in recognition of the company’s generous support.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/community/education.shtml Source: http://news.uky.edu/news/display_article.php?artid=2723

Christmas Extravaganza

One of the company’s largest annual community events is its Christmas Extravaganza, organized by Massey’s Spousal Groups to provide holiday gifts and food to local children and their families.

Source: http://yourwvabc.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=48036&catid=87

More than 500 Massey members volunteered at the company’s 6th Annual Christmas Extravaganza in December 2008, which benefited thousands of needy children from across Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. Children at the event each received two holiday gifts and candy, while their families received turkeys for Christmas Day.

Source: http://yourwvabc.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=48036&catid=87 Source: http://www.medicalleader.org/pmc_news.html?id=2332 Source: http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=17261

Sponsorship of Local Sports

Massey Energy is the proud corporate sponsor of the Massey Energy Invitational Basketball Tournament held each December at the Williamson Field House in Williamson, West Virginia.

The company is also a sponsor of the annual Massey Energy Hatfield-McCoy Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl, which pits last year’s graduating seniors from West Virginia against their counterparts from Kentucky, is the oldest All-Star football game in West Virginia. The game also provides funding for college scholarships and improvements to local school athletic facilities.

Source: http://www.wdhr.com/sports/2007/07/massey-energyhatfield-mccoy-hs-football.html

Massey Wellness Clinic

Massey established the Family Wellness Center in 2005 to serve Massey families in southern West Virginia, recognizing that residents in rural areas often lack access to primary care physicians and health care facilities. The Family Wellness Center offers comprehensive medical services including lab work, x-rays and cardiac testing.

Source: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=102864&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=757458&highlight=

The American Chestnut

Once considered the "Redwood of the East,” the American chestnut species came to the brink of extinction when a fungus nearly wiped out the species in the early 1900s. According to the American Chestnut Foundation (ACF), only 500 or 600 American chestnuts exist in the wild today.

Source: http://www.acf.org/ Source: http://arri.osmre.gov/Articles/2008/Land_Letter.04242008.htm

Massey has partnered with botanists and forestry experts at West Virginia University and the American Chestnut Foundation to help restore the American chestnut to Appalachia. Thomas Cook, Massey’s vice president of environmental affairs, serves as president of the West Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/features/amChestnut.shtml Source: http://www.acf.org/Chapters.php

Researchers have pursued a breeding program over the past 20 years to develop a blight-resistant tree, crossing the Chinese chestnut with the American chestnut. The new tree – 15/16 American chestnut and 1/16 Chinese chestnut – grows best in soil conditions found on reclaimed land.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/features/amChestnut.shtml

To help celebrate Arbor Day in April, Massey members joined approximately 90 students from Madison Middle School to plant American chestnut trees on reclaimed land. The company plans to continue working with West Virginia University and the American Chestnut Foundation to monitor the nursery’s progress and further develop the species for future plantings.

Source: http://www.masseyenergyco.com/features/amChestnut.shtml

In 2004, scientists, foresters and state and federal regulators formed the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) to promote reforestation on coal-mined lands in the Eastern United States. ARRI recognized Massey with an award for excellence in reforestation in 2008.

Source: http://arri.osmre.gov/AboutARRI.htm Source: http://arri.osmre.gov/Articles/2008/Land_Letter.04242008.htm

Massey Energy sponsored the 2008 Mined Land Reforestation Conference.

Source: http://arri.osmre.gov/Events/AN_CONF/MLRC2008.presentations.htm

LINKS

•	Massey 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility Report: http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/10/102/102864/items/305025/Massey_CSR_sm.pdf •	Massey Annual Report FY 2007: http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/10/102864/AR_Proxy/MEE2007AR.pdf •	Massey Energy, Google Finance: http://finance.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:MEE

Troy AndesTroyAndes (talk) 18:04, 27 January 2009 (UTC)


 * Dear Troy. I don't see any problem with the proposed history section as also with the proposed management section. However, the proposed Community services section needs probably editing per WP:NPOV. It also needs reliable third party sources per WP:RS as right now it is mainly sourced by the company or company-related websites. Beagel (talk) 18:24, 27 January 2009 (UTC)

Just removed from article
See. Badagnani (talk) 15:18, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

Why Controversy?
I am unclear why much of th "Controversy" section is labeled as such. Surely topics such as mine safety should be simply labelled as that. I do not think that there is much controversy over the facts recorded. I will reorder this section unless someone can give an overwhelming reason not to.--Wickifrank (talk) 12:42, 14 April 2010 (UTC)


 * Quite some time later, I have removed the "Controversy" for the reasons you have listed. I found nothing controversial with the facts listed.  I don't think anyone can dispute legal proceedings, mine disasters, and environmental issues.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by PeterWesco (talk • contribs) 18:18, 9 September 2012 (UTC)

Relevance of VP of HR and General Counsel?
There's a sentence that talks about the VP of HR and General Counsel. They are not otherwise used in the article other than the infobox. That's pretty far down the food chain. Unless there's a compelling reason those names should be removed.Americasroof (talk) 04:15, 24 May 2010 (UTC)

POV tag
I've added a POV tag to the top of the article as the article is quite promotional. For example, company achievements, but no points of controversy appear in the lead. I would also suggest that the "Community service" section, which covers the "annual Christmas Extravaganza" etc., is purely promotional and not encyclopedic. It should go. Johnfos (talk) 01:19, 29 July 2010 (UTC)
 * Concur. This article needs to be made more balanced. Also, I belive that User:Aadd01 is related to Massey, because all of the edits are bending of facts, removal of content, and addition of POV material. This article needs a thorough edit. --Fiftytwo thirty (talk) 18:26, 29 July 2010 (UTC)
 * Concur.  I am researching the sources (some are 404 + one was a company press release).  It appears to be all puffery/promotion. PeterWesco (talk) 23:55, 28 August 2012 (UTC)

Resource, from current in-print Bloomberg BusinessWeek
Resource, from current in-print Bloomberg BusinessWeek ... [http://bx.businessweek.com/green-energy/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessweek.com%2Fmagazine%2Fcleaning-americas-dirtiest-coal-company-08252011.html Cleaning America’s Dirtiest Coal Company; On June 1, Alpha Natural Resources of Abingdon, Va., acquired Massey Energy. Who would want to take over Appalachia’s most notorious mining business?] by Paul M. Barrett 99.181.138.36 (talk) 01:47, 6 September 2011 (UTC)

Merger proposal
I propose that Martin County sludge spill be merged into Massey Energy. The content of Martin County sludge spill, and image, are already discussed in Massey Energy. PeterWesco (talk) 15:39, 25 August 2012 (UTC)


 * Oppose. A significant event, ie. notable. -- Alan Liefting (talk - contribs) 04:11, 28 August 2012 (UTC)

After consideration, and much research, I am in agreement that this disaster deserves its own article. I have withdrawn the merge request. PeterWesco (talk) 03:46, 2 September 2012 (UTC)

Locations and controversy?????
Will someone please look at the mine locations for this article? Montcoal, West Virginia is not listed....Also, we need to edit the County designations, otherwise at first glance it appears as though an entire county is a location for Massey, which, its not. As to the controversy, has anyone looked up the "Sentinel Of Safety Awards??" It is a vital part of the fiasco, at UBB, which can be a POV, UNLESS there is a balanced approach.....Coal town guy (talk) 13:44, 11 January 2013 (UTC)


 * Are you asking as part of Massey or just an interested reader?   I ask simply because, IMO, this Massey article is for historic purposes after the sale to Alpha.  Feel free to post sources/information and I can add it to the article if it has value and comes from WP:RS (reliable sources).   PeterWesco (talk) 17:36, 11 January 2013 (UTC)


 * I am asking because my user name is Coal town guy and the areas of Massey ownership can be cerified by a non bias source and yes, I have lived near the area. I agree with you, however, it is of note historically.....I can find a non biased source. I am not pro coal, I am pro coal town preservation and documenting them on Wikipedia...I am not part of Massey in ANY way shape or form.Coal town guy (talk) 17:57, 11 January 2013 (UTC)

TOTAL POV
This article is a total POV with the sheer exception that Massey is a former company. The good news is, there are pro and con. The bad news, it reads like a brochure...I think a lot more can be done to make this an encyclopedic article than a political mish mash...Coal town guy (talk) 18:04, 11 January 2013 (UTC)


 * Feel free to edit the article or post changes here and I can put them into place. I have no dog in the coal race as I am not from coal areas nor have I ever worked in the coal industry. BUT - I ended up joining Wikipedia after I read the MTR article and saw the major agenda being pushed.   I have since moved away from the coal articles, but still keep them in my watchlist...  hoping to get back to them at some point   PeterWesco (talk) 18:13, 11 January 2013 (UTC)

Trying to start an edit need help
This entire article is great if you work at Massey or in some way wanted to know how they helped the community while at the same time honestly describing the UBB disaster. However, this is not in any way a balanced article...Example, do we really need to know about their Christmas parade??? Do we really need to know about their wellness centers? Do we really need to know the entire board of directors? Why do we have one section of barely a paragraph speaking to the sale of Massey to Alpha? Propose a rewite and would like feedback. I have zero interest in this becoming an edit warCoal town guy (talk) 21:48, 17 June 2014 (UTC)
 * UPDATE: All of the Massey Energy Web Corp links are dead. After Alpha bought them, looks like they bought the web domain as well. Coal town guy (talk) 21:59, 17 June 2014 (UTC)

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