Capito Wraps Up Alternative Energy Tour In Ripley

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., concluded her alternative energy tour today in a capstone discussion before the Ripley Rotary Club. Her tour, which began last Thursday in Buckhannon, has taken her across the second congressional district to visit alternative energy production sites, research centers and other facilities that are employing more energy efficient technology.

"West Virginia is truly an ‘energy' state in every sense of the word," said Capito. "We have a long history as a proud producer of traditional sources of energy, but we're also making strides in new technology and it's been great to see how West Virginians are making alternative energy work in their own homes and businesses."

Yesterday, her tour took her to the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority, which will soon add new hybrids to its fleet of busses. She also met with MATRIC researchers in South Charleston and with professors and students at West Virginia State University's bio-diesel facility.

"There's so much important research taking place right here in West Virginia," Capito said. "From MATRIC to West Virginia State, West Virginians continue to look for ways to make alternative energy technologies commercially viable on a large scale. It's impressive to hear about their progress."

The Congresswoman began her tour last week with stops in Buckhannon, where she visited a home in which geothermal technology is creating considerable improvements in energy efficiency.

In Franklin, she visited a construction site for Habitat for Humanity, where they're also employing energy efficient technologies to keep energy costs down for residents.

In the eastern panhandle, she visited multiple wind and solar powered homes, toured a poultry farm where chicken litter is being recycled as heating fuel, and met with a local manufacturer to discuss energy efficiency.

Capito is also a sponsor of the American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act, bipartisan legislation which would utilize royalties generated from expanded off-shore energy exploration to provide funds for a range of energy and conservation initiatives.?

Healthcare has also been front and center at multiple stops throughout the congresswoman's tour.

"West Virginians understand that we need healthcare reform, but it is imperative that we have real bipartisanship and compromise," said Capito. "This debate has motivated everyday West Virginians to make their voices heard, and certainly an issue as important as this one demands robust debate."

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