Don Blankenship talked about his background in business and the need to perform more surface mining of coal in order to meet the nation's energy requirements. He also answered questions about Massey Energy Company and an explosion at the company's Upper Big Branch Mine in Montcoal, West Virginia on April 5, 2010. The explosion killed 29 miners, making it the deadliest coal mine accident in the United States in 40 years.

Questions were briefly interrupted by demonstrators holding signs protesting the safety record at Mr. Blankenship's mines.