Capito Rallies For Coal On Capitol Hill

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., spoke at the Pro-Coal Rally on Capitol Hill to support the coal industry and the American coal miner. The event was hosted by a coalition of pro-coal organizations from Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

"Current regulatory challenges and looming cap and trade legislation are threatening the viability of coal mining throughout Appalachia. Instead of hearing our cries to use this country's great natural resources, we only see further regulation and the slow shutdown of the coal industry while we further increase our dependence on foreign sources of energy," stated Capito who was the event's MC.

Hundreds of miners and representatives from the Appalachian coal mining communities traveled to Washington to defend the economic viability of the coal industry which supports hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide. The goal of the rally was to send a clear message to Congress that coal must be included in our energy future.

"Coal is affordable and abundant and mined right here in America. It supports thousands of jobs in West Virginia and across our country that we can't afford to lose at a time of near double digit unemployment. I am proud to stand with the miners at today's rally to remind Congress of the vital role this reliable American energy resource plays in our economic and energy portfolios," concluded Capito, co-founder of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

Source