Issue Position: The Oil and Gas Industry

Issue Position

As we're all well aware, since 2008 an overly burdensome EPA has done all it can to crush the coal industry in West Virginia. Whether it be regulations upon the mines themselves, or making it their goal to phase out coal burning power plants, throughout the Obama administration, the EPA has made it their business to break our long standing heritage with this industry.

However, West Virginia has been given a second bite at the apple, something very few states ever get. With our burgeoning oil and gas industry, the Northern Panhandle has an opportunity to see economic development we didn't believe was possible once again. Charleston must be careful not to over regulate the efforts to harness this abundant resource, and stunt its growth before it fully develops. We must also ensure that we have a government in Charleston that will fight back against an EPA that could pass regulations preventing the development that is vital to our state.

Source