West Virginia names coal as its official state rock

The black bear, the Golden Delicious apple, and Monongahela silt loam now have a new member in their ranks. Last week, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin signed a House of Delegates resolution adding coal to the list of official state symbols. The resolution, which was introduced by 46 sponsors and passed by a vote of 96 to 0, notes that the coal industry is an “integral part of the economic and social fabric of the state” and that “Bituminous Coal is hereby designated and declared to be the official state rock.” The resolution makes no mention of coal’s other varieties – lignite, anthracite, and graphite – suggesting that they will continue to be classified by the state as nonofficial rocks...brightgreenblog