FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: AshLee Strong(202) 225-2182 or (202) 450-9695 ashlee.strong@mail.house.govApril 14, 2010 Capito on the Coal Industry’s Role in the ‘New Energy Age’Opening Statement at Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming WASHINGTON—Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., made the following opening statement at today’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming’s hearing titled, “The Role of Coal in the New Energy Age”:
“Mr. Chairman, thank you for hosting today’s important hearing. “Even though today’s hearing focuses on the role of the coal industry in the new age, I think it is important for us to recognize the sacrifice miners make to provide the energy and power so many of us take for granted. “Last week’s mine disaster at Montcoal, WV that killed 29 miners was the worst in the U.S. coal industry in 40 years. “Just four years ago, 12 people were killed at the Sago Mine disaster in my district. With the investigation underway and as further details are available on the cause of the accident, we must continue our commitment to keep our miners safe. “The Upper Big Branch Mine disaster only furthers people’s poor image of mining and has led many to discuss the future of coal. “Coal is a prime energy source throughout the world. Fast-growing countries such as China and India rely on the low-cost fuel to meet their electricity demand. “Here in the United States, coal is our nation’s most abundant domestic energy resource with recoverable reserves sufficient to last 250 years. Coal currently fuels more than 50% of all electricity generation in the United States.
“In my home state of West Virginia, 98% of our electricity comes from coal. “It provides 125,000 direct high-paying jobs for U.S. coal miners and supports hundreds of thousands of additional jobs throughout the supply chain. “When considering the future of coal in the global warming debate, the first thing that we need to remember is that climate change and energy policies are inextricably connected with economic, environmental and social issues. “Last year, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act. I did not support the legislation because I believe it stood to push energy prices upward and threaten an economy that is already in trouble. “A tax increase on carbon dioxide emissions will come directly out of customers’ pockets in the form of higher electric rates. “Manufacturing output would also fall considerably. Manufacturing firms who have traditionally relied on low and stable electric rates in our states will be subject to massive cost increases, likely forcing them out-of-business or to relocate their operations overseas.
“Instead, we need to do much more accelerate the development of advanced clean coal technologies, including and most importantly, carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS). Carbon capture is important to West Virginians and ensuring our national energy independence. Without it, we deprive ourselves of the most effective tool for addressing CO2 emissions from coal. “We need to provide sufficient funding and incentives to accelerate the development, demonstration and broad commercial deployment of CCS technologies. “The American Electric Power Mountaineer Plant located in New Haven, WV represents an important milestone in our efforts to bring CCS online. The facility began operations last fall and captures and stores approximately 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. The Mountaineer Plant is the first demonstration of CCS from an existing coal-fueled power plant.
“The implementation of CCS technology will not only benefit a state like mine with jobs and revenue, it will also benefit our nation by making clean coal a reality. “In addition to climate change, coal has been the subject of continued federal scrutiny for its impact on water quality. “Recent action by the Obama Administration and the EPA to further scrutinize mining permits only confirms their anti-coal agenda. “The Minority Staff of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works initiated an investigation into EPA’s handling of Clean Water Act Section 404 permits for coal mining in Appalachia and found that in 2009, EPA froze 235 coal mining 404 Permits, claiming that additional time was needed to assess the environmental impacts of mining operations.
“Since the initiation of the investigation, EPA issued 45 of the 235 permits. To date, there are 190 permits that EPA continues to hold for operations including surface, underground and refuse operations. “Furthermore, decisions being made by federal environmental regulators are not focused enough on the importance of coal to the economy. In my conversations with Lisa Jackson, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she said that she explicitly omits economic considerations from her decision-making process. “I find this particularly troubling. The EPA’s delays in handling these permits will jeopardize jobs in Appalachia and weaken energy security for the nation.
“Even more disturbing, on March 26, the EPA announced their intent to veto the existing Spruce Mine permit. The Spruce permit is the most scrutinized and fully considered permit in West Virginia’s history. The 13-year permitting process included the preparation of a full environmental impact statement. “In the course of the permit’s review, EPA had ample opportunity to review and comment on the mine’s decision. The EPA also had the chance to use its veto authority at the time the permit was issued instead of waiting until production had started. "The decision by the EPA to veto the Spruce permit brings into question the reliability of the entire permitting process and shows their complete disregard for the impacts it will have on West Virginia’s economy. “I look forward to hearing the testimonies from the panel.”
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