Residents throughout the commonwealth will now have the opportunity to show their support for the coal industry thanks to the recent unveiling of a “Friends of Coal” license plate.

Both state and local officials say the “Friends of Coal” specialty plate has received a large amount of interest among the public.

“When you do a special license plate like this, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet requires you to collect 900 applications. Cabinet officials told us that it can take an organization three years or more to collect applications, and it took us five months,” said Dave Moss, the director of governmental affairs with the Kentucky Coal Association and a board member of Friends of Coal. “The process was extremely quick. We had 1,179 people signed up for the plate when we turned it over to the cabinet.”

“The way the plate sales have started, I think we are going to have a lot of people to want them. Several of our customers have been really excited when they saw the plate and have wanted one,” added Harlan County Clerk Wanda Clem.

The first shipment of “Friends of Coal” plates was recently sent to county clerk’s offices around Kentucky and will cost drivers $34. Normal plates are $21.

Both Moss and Clem agreed that the new license plate is a great opportunity for everyone to show their support of the often-criticized industry.

“This is a way for the average citizen who might not have a family member employed with the coal industry to show their support. That is really what the plate is for. It is another way to visibly show that,” Moss said. “This is another way to use the ‘Friends of Coal’ name and to brand it. Buying this plate says that you support jobs in Kentucky and that you support the coal industry.”

“The miners deserve to be honored for their work. They really provide a great service, and they deserve all of the recognition they get,” Clem stated.

Clem added that with large amount of coal miners in the area, she expects the “Friends of Coal” license plate to become the most popular specialty plate in the county.

For more information about the organization, visit the Web site at www.friendsofcoalky.com.

The Kentucky State Police also announced Monday that applications are now being accepted for a special license plate to help raise funds for Trooper Island, a free summer camp for disadvantaged boys and girls age 10-12 operated by the state police on Dale Hollow Lake in Clinton County.

In order for the Transportation Cabinet to make this an official tag for vehicle registration in Kentucky, 900 applications must be received by September 2009.

The cost is $28 at the time of application with an additional $16 due at the time of pick up. Applications can be obtained from any state police post or downloaded from the state police Web site at www.kentuckystate police.org.

Trooper Island is financed entirely by donations. No public funds are used. Each year, the camp hosts approximately 700 children, providing good food, fresh air, recreation, guidance and structured, esteem-building activities designed to build good citizenship and positive relationships with law enforcement officers.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.kentuckystatepolice.org or call the KSP media relations branch at (502) 695-6344.