Issue Position: Investing in West Virginia Energy First

Issue Position

"We can not have a real energy plan in this country that does not include coal as a vital part of our nation's solution to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and meeting our energy needs."

- Shelley Moore Capito

There is not a Republican or Democratic solution to reducing our long term reliance on foreign oil - there is a West Virginia solution. West Virginia coal converted to liquid fuel will help every American struggling with high gas prices and revitalize our state's economy. At a cost of $35 to $40 per barrel, coal can be converted to clean, zero-sulfur, synthetic oil and oil products. Estimates indicate that a coal-to-liquids plant with an output of 10,000 barrels per day can support 200 direct jobs, 150 jobs at the supporting coalmine and 2,800 indirect jobs throughout the region. Plant construction would also generate an additional 1,500 temporary jobs. This will help jump start West Virginia's struggling economy.

Congresswoman Capito has introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act that mandates the United States to produce 6 billion gallons of fuel from coal annually by the year 2022. Coal-to-liquid technology is there, but it continues to be under-invested. It is time for Congress to get serious about investing in the technology as part of our national energy strategy.

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