Southern West Virginia News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Carol Miller (R-WV) joins the Congressional Coal Caucus as a co-chair alongside Representatives Dan Meuser (R-PA), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Bill Johnson (R-OH), and Morgan Griffith (R-VA). The first Congressional Coal Caucus meeting took place on Wednesday, May 17, where the priorities of the caucus were outlined. 

Strategic priorities of the Congressional Coal Caucus include:

• Oversight on EPA's Power Plant Agenda
• Grid Reliability Legislation
• Rail Service Reliability
• Support Future Coal Use
• Promote Policies to Facilitate Coal Exports
• Oversight on DOI’s Federal Coal Leasing Program Review
• Support Pro-Coal Tax Policies

“West Virginia has provided the nation and the world with coal for generations, and as the second largest coal producer, we will continue to power the United States for years to come,” said Congresswoman Miller. “As the co-chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus, I will fight to preserve and protect one of our greatest natural resources. I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect American coal and save society from the nightmare of energy poverty being proposed by leftwing radicals and so-called environmentalists.”

“Coal is vital to our national interest. The industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, powers our nation, and is crucial to steel production around the globe,” said Congressman Meuser. “The Congressional Coal Caucus will work throughout the 118th Congress to promote policies and dialogue that support the coal industry and the employees who are proud to work within it. I was happy to host the Coal Caucus’ inaugural meeting this morning, and I thank my fellow Co-Chairs Hageman, Johnson, Griffith, and Miller for their insight as we begin working toward the Caucus’ strategic priorities.”

“Coal generates more than a quarter of America’s electricity; 41% of that total is produced in Wyoming. To say that coal production is under constant attack is an understatement,” said Congresswoman Hageman. “While DC bureaucrats do everything in their power to destroy our coal industry, China proceeds in permitting an average of two new coal plants per week. Even in Canada and Australia – two ‘woke’ countries who have bought into ‘climate change’ – they are able to permit a mine in less than three years. In the United States it takes more than ten years, and the time frame is only increasing. I am proud to co-chair a caucus with such critical importance to our ability to be energy independent and lower every day costs for Americans.” 

“I support a true ‘all of the above’ approach to energy development. This approach starts with responsibly developing America's own natural resources, and that must include coal,” said Congressman Johnson. “Coal is fundamental to America’s energy dominance as it remains a very abundant, affordable and reliable energy source, and we can use it in an environmentally responsible way for generations to come. I am proud to serve as a co-chair of the Coal Caucus this Congress.”

“The coal industry plays a key role in our economy, helping Americans meet their energy needs, while also being vital to the production of steel. It is a major economic driver in the Ninth District,” said Congressman Griffith. “I am excited to be serving as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus this Congress and look forward to working with my fellow co-chairs and other colleagues to explore ways to promote this affordable, reliable energy.”

Original source can be found here.